Mobile games become a strong focus for Ubisoft
Prominent game developer and publisher Ubisoft has announced its acquisition of Future Games of London, a developer of mobile games. The development studio was first established in 2009 and has established a strong foothold in the mobile space since then. The developer boasts of more than 100 million downloads for its mobile games and continues to make strong progress in this sector. Ubisoft has been showing aggressive interest in the mobile field in recent years, especially as mobile games become more popular than traditional handheld titles.
Ubisoft builds a stronger presence in the mobile space
Ubisoft is working to establish a stronger presence in the mobile games sector. These games have managed to attract a great deal of support and attention from consumers around the world and have become one of the most lucrative sectors of the game industry as a whole. Ubisoft is only on among many companies that have shown an interest in mobile games for the economic and entertainment prospects they represent.
Developer to gain access to Ubisoft resources
Future Games of London will continue operating as it has done for the past several years for the most part. Through the acquisition, however, the developer will have access to the abundant resources that Ubisoft offers. Ubisoft will also gain access to the developer’s range of mobile games and will be able to market these games and ensure they reach a wider audience. Ubisoft has proven time and again that it holds a strong position in the game industry. Last year, the company generated more than $800 million in profit, more than enough to encourage expansion into the mobile field.
US becomes an attractive market
Backed by Ubisoft’s support, Future Games of London is expected to concentrate on breaking into the U.S. market with new online games developed for mobile devices. The developer will also work on improving its game infrastructure in foreign markets in order to bolster its global network. These plans align well with Ubisoft’s operations.
Sony and Nintendo show concern over mobile games
The growing popularity of mobile games has been a good trend for developers around the world, many of whom had struggled for years to turn their passion into a lucrative career. While these games have become one of the most promising sectors of the global game industry, the popularity of mobile games may be causing some problems for two of the industry’s titans. Both Sony and Nintendo are beginning to show concern that games for iOS and Android devices are becoming more successful than those for handheld devices, such as the Playstation Vita and Nintento 3DS.
Mobile games are making four times the revenue as games for handheld devices
A recent report from research firms IDC and App Annie shows that games for iOS and Android platforms make four times the revenue when compared to games for Sony and Nintendo handheld devices. The vast majority of these mobile games encourage consumers to spend money by offering additional content, some of which can only be unlocked through the use of digital currencies, which can be bought at any time. Typically, games for Sony and Nintendo devices do not focus on micro-transactions and in-game purchases, which may be a missed opportunity considering the lucrative nature of mobile gaming.
UK consumers show a strong love for mobile gaming
A similar study from research firm comScore shows that more than 20 million consumers in the United Kingdom alone play mobile games every month. It is estimated that British consumers have spent an average of $400 million on mobile gaming this year alone. Many people are beginning to favor their smartphones and tablets for gaming, abandoning other handheld gaming devices that had once held their attention. This could be a problematic issue for both Sony and Nintendo, as both companies have a strong focus on promoting their handheld devices.
Publishers are flocking to the mobile sector
A growing number of influential publishers are beginning to take the mobile space more seriously. Companies like Electronic Arts and Activision are looking to take advantage of the growing popularity of mobile games, publishing a wide variety of titles that are exclusive to smartphones and tablets. Both Sony and Nintendo have expressed interest in the mobile sector, but the companies may soon be forced to embrace mobile gaming lest they be left behind by the changing interests of consumers.
