Tag: mobile games

Mobile games may soon dominate the game industry

| March 19, 2013

Mobile games versus consolesMobile games picking up the slack of conventional consoles

The game industry in the U.S. is facing a slump, according to a study from the NPD Group. According to the market research and analysis firm, the trend of declining hardware, software, and accessories sales in the U.S. persists, sending ripples throughout the game industry. The study suggests that consumers are beginning to move away from conventional gaming systems, such as consoles, and have been more inclined to participate in mobile games. Much of the money that seems to be exiting the game industry, on the consumer level, seems to making its way to these mobile games rather than traditional gaming media.

Console and software sales are down in the US

NPD Group notes that total sales of hardware, software, and accessories in the U.S. game market were $810 million in February of this year. This is a decline from the $1.09 billion that the game industry had seen in the U.S. market only a year previous. Hardware sales, in particular, have dropped 36% over the past 12 months, despite the launch of new gaming systems, such as the Nintendo Wii and the Playstation Vita. Where consumers are no longer purchasing physical products, they are spending money on mobile games.

Mobile games and digital distribution eclipse hardware sales

Mobile games have come to account for a significant portion of the revenue being generated within the game industry. According to the NPD Group, mobile games, as well as digital distribution platforms and subscription services, now account for $1.2 billion in sales within the game industry. Several large publishers, like Electronic Arts, have seen significant success through digital distribution, as is the case with Dead Space 3. Mobile games, in particular, continue to generate a great deal of revenue for their developers and the publishers of these games.

Game industry begins to take mobile more seriously

Mobile games are expected to continue playing a large role in the U.S. game industry. They may one day come to dominate the industry as consumers continue to favor digital distribution and mobile gaming applications over conventional consoles and physical products. Many companies within the game industry have taken note of this trend and have been focusing much of their efforts on supporting mobile games so as to solidify their continued presence in their given market.

Mobile games win the attention of Tilting Point

| March 18, 2013

Mobile Games Tilting pointMobile games continue to show their power to the game industry

Mobile games are becoming a very powerful force in the game industry. Games developed specifically for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets have been resoundingly successful among consumers. This is partly due to the convenience of being able to play mobile games anywhere and at any time, as well as the fact that many of these games are designed to be very addicting. Mobile games represent a very lucrative area of the game industry, especially for independent developers that are heavy on skill and imagination.

Tilting Point announces investments in independent developers

Tilting Point, a relatively new company comprised of game industry veterans from companies like EA Partners, has announced that it will be investing $40 million into the mobile games sector over the next three years. Investments will be directed at independent developers, a sector of the game industry that has shown strong promise over the past several years. Independent developers have managed to acquire a great deal of support from consumers due to the belief that they are free of the perceived “evils” of game publishers like Electronic Arts and Activision. Because of the way consumers see these developers, many are more likely to support the games that they produce.

Independent developers may be the future of gaming

Tom Frisina, executive chairman of Tilting Point, believes that independent developers hold the future of games in their hands. Mobile games, in particular, are a field in which independent developers are very active. The accessible nature of these games has attracted a great deal of consumer attention and support, making mobile games some of the most successful products in the game industry. Tilting Point is interested in promoting more innovation in the mobile games sector by helping support the development talent that exists therein.

Advanced mobile games become more feasible as technology becomes more capable

As mobile devices become more advanced, they are capable of supporting higher quality mobile games. Typically, mobile games are designed to be short, satisfying, and not too time consuming. This often translates into players participating in short-lived, but repetitive activities. Mobile games on future devices are expected to buck this trend by providing gamers with a more interactive and engaging experience.