Young people are becoming enthralled by mobile games
Young consumers represent a very valuable demographic to many businesses around the world. These consumers hold a great deal of purchasing power, even if much of this power is not inherently theirs but that of their parents or guardians. The potential value of young people has long been enough to encourage marketers to reach out and attempt to engage them. In Australia, t he best way to do so may be through the use of mobile games.
Survey highlights the increasing value of mobile
According to the latest survey from Cartoon Network, a growing number of children between the ages of four and 14 are using mobile applications. This is two times higher than the number of children using applications, like mobile games, recorded in a 2011 survey. Of those using mobile applications, the survey shows that most children are accessing an average of 7 applications every month and are doing so mostly through smartphones and tablets that they own. These children also make use of the mobile devices owned by their parents or older siblings.
Mobile games are popular among Australian children
Mobile games are among the most popular applications being used by young people in Australia. These games represent a significant source of entertainment for people of all ages and many games are designed specifically to appeal to a young audience. The survey does show that Internet use is rising rapidly among children, especially those with tablet devices. Approximately 30% of Australia’s children are using tablets to browse the Internet and watch shows that can be found online.
Games represent promising marketing power
Mobile games present several marketing opportunities in and of themselves. These games, many of which are available for free, often feature advertisements that are made to be engaging for children. When clicking on these advertisements, which can easily be done accidentally, advertisers then have access to a consumer’s information, which is shared with them through the mobile games a person is playing.
Mobile games may be an ideal platform for marketing
The mobile space has managed to carve out a very important place in the world of business. The advent of mobile technology has forced companies both large and small to take mobile more seriously, leveraging their resources to connect with an emerging generation of mobile consumers. Mobile marketing, however, has proven difficult for the business world, with display advertisements and banners posting lackluster results. Mobile games appear to be showing the most success when it comes to marketing, but businesses have traditionally considered games to be novelty at best.
Report highlights investments behind mobile games
According to a recent report from Digi-Capital, an investment bank, investments in mobile games spiked by 35% in the first quarter of this year. Investments in every other gaming fields showed only modest growth at best, if not declines in certain aspects. Despite this growth, the investments behind mobile games are leveling off as investors begin to grow shrewder and small development companies either go out of business or are assimilated into their larger counterparts.
Market showing signs of maturing
Some would argue that investors showing more concern for the mobile games space is a sign that the market is on the verge of a fall. This may not be the case, however, as the market is beginning to show signs of maturity and stabilization. New developers are entering the field at a rapid rate and mobile marketing has helped many of these developers find the success they need to continue producing mobile games. Moreover, new business models are emerging that are proving very popular among consumers, as is the case with the free-to-play model.
Marketing helps mobile games thrive
Mobile games have thrived off the effective use of mobile marketing strategies. In-game advertisements are seen by all those playing games. While many gamers may not actively engage in these advertisements, a significant portion of these gamers are willing to do so simply to remove their presence on the screen of their mobile device. If these advertisements are catered to the interests of consumers, they are more likely to see engagement.
