Tag: mobile gaming industry

Mobile games gain ground with young consumers

| September 12, 2013

Young people play mobile games almost as much as console and PC games

A new report from the NPD Group, a market research firm, shows that those between the ages of 12 and 17 are playing mobile games as much as they are playing console and PC games. Mobile games may be extremely popular among young consumers because of the value they place on mobile technology. For many young adults, smartphones and tablets are more often considered a symbol of social status rather than a tool of convenience. This is why the demand for mobile technology is so high among young adults when compared to that coming from older consumers.

Report shows teens spend an average of 7 hours per week on mobile gaming

The report suggests that teens aged 12-17 will spend an average of seven hours every week playing mobile games. This is an increase from the five hours per week that the NPD Group had estimated in 2011. The report also notes that mobile games are not only popular among teens. Children as young as 8 years-old frequently play mobile games, even when in the classroom. Even young people that do not have their own smartphones or tablets still find ways to play mobile games, borrowing their friends’ devices or those of their parents.

Mobile Games - Young ConsumersMobile games can be played anywhere

Part of the appeal of mobile games is the fact that they can be played anywhere. This is one of the reasons why these games have become popular among adults, especially those that commute to work on a daily basis. Young adults tend to play mobile games at home, but they will also play these games at school. Indeed, this trend is becoming so prominent that many educators are beginning to look for ways to utilize the popularity of mobile games in order to drive academic progress.

Mobile may eventually win out over console and PC

While mobile games may be popular, teens tend to spend more time on console and PC games. Mobile gaming is expected to continue growing in popularity among young consumers, but it is unclear whether mobile games will replace those on consoles or PC in the foreseeable future. Currently, much of the game industry has begun to focus more aggressively on mobile platforms in order to take advantage of the popularity of mobile gaming.

Zynga pins hope on mobile games

| June 3, 2013

Mobile games may determine the fate of Zynga

Troubles game developer Zynga has been working to restructure itself recently. The company has struggled to find some stable ground after losing the faith of Facebook, which had once been its primary distribution platform. Zynga has set its sights on mobile games, believing that the mobile space will provid ethe company with the momentum it needs to reclaim the favor of consumers throughout the gaming market. Zynga has yet to find this momentum, however, as it has not yet produced a successful mobile game.

Company reporting drop in revenue and daily active users

Zynga has reported an 18% drop in revenue in the latest quarter of this year. The company’s financial troubles have continued for several consecutive quarters. Zynga’s financial problems are being exacerbated by the falling number of consumers that are playing the company’s games. Zynga has reported that the number of daily active users has dropped by 21% in the latest quarter. The company believes that mobile games can turn its fortunes, but whether or not the company can perform well in the mobile space has yet to be seen.

Zynga - Pinning hopes on mobile gamesZynga aims for success with sequel to Draw Something

Zynga is placing much of its hope for the future on a new game it is planning to release in the near future. This game is a sequel to the highly acclaimed Draw Something, which was originally developed by Omgpop. Zynga spent $180 million to purchase the rights to Draw Something in March of 2012, but consumers quickly lost interest in the game once they heard that Zynga had become involved. Draw Something had been one of the most popular mobile games of its time and Zynga believes that consumers will respond well to a genuine sequel to the title.

Mobile games have trouble holding consumer attention

Consumers tend to lose interest in mobile games rather quickly, due to the nature of these games. Mobile games are not typically designed with any significant level of depth, thus making the entertainment they offer to consumers somewhat limited. Those with short attention spans typically move on to new mobile games quickly, even if their experience with a particular game had been favorable.