Tag: mobile gaming news

Mobile games may spell the fall of consoles

| February 6, 2013

Mobile games versus consolesMobile games gain momentum while consoles begin to lose traction

A storm is brewing in the game industry and everything may come down to a fight between mobile games and consoles. Mobile games have become one of the most favored pastimes that consumers around the world can universally agree upon. The market for mobile games is massive and growing seemingly every day, whereas consoles are beginning to feel the sting of being confined to old technology and their lack of mobility. As the next generation of console gaming approaches, whether consoles will be able to compete with mobile games over the next decade is uncertain.m

Consoles may need to compete with mobile platforms in the future

The future of consoles looks relatively promising, despite the lack of concrete information being released by console titans Microsoft and Sony. Last year, Nintendo releases its highly anticipated WiiU, which features mobile gaming elements and some NFC technology support. Despite some criticisms, the WiiU was generally well received, but consumers have continued to show their preference for mobile games. Both Microsoft and Sony has plans to incorporate mobile gaming elements into their upcoming Xbox 720 and Playstation 4 consoles respectively.

Analysis suggests that 67% of all time spent on mobile devices is devoted to gaming

According to analysis conducted by the Pew Research Center, as well as other groups, approximately 60% of all smart phone and tablet users participate in mobile games. The firm also suggests that 67% of all time spend using a mobile device is devoted to playing mobile games. The traction that these games seem to have among consumers is somewhat higher than that seen with traditional consoles. Many of the tablets on the market today also boast of capabilities that verge on those seen in consoles. While consoles still hold the advantage in terms of technology, tablets are quickly catching up.

Next generation consoles may provide more stability in the game industry

The future of console gaming may hinge on the performance of the Xbox 720 and Playstation 4. That future is somewhat uncertain at present due to the fact that both Microsoft and Sony have very strong interests in the realm of mobile games. Next generation consoles are expected to be well received by gamers around the world, but these same gamers have yet to show any inclination in abandoning mobile games in favor of consoles.

Mobile games may hurt the retail sector

| February 5, 2013

Mobile games create problems for game retailersMobile games have found success, perhaps at the expense of retailers

There can be no denying the utter success that mobile games have seen in recent years. The game industry has begun to shift to be more accommodating of mobile consumers, while many developers have made a name for themselves through an exclusive focus on mobile games. Even developers that have traditionally clung to console games have begun entering into the mobile space. While mobile games have solidified the success for many in the game industry, it may take a disastrous toll on the retail sector.

Analysis suggests that game retailers may face uncertain future

Games are not the only things that are changing in the game industry; the way people get their games is evolving as well. In the past, consumers would have to visit physical stores to pick up games that they had been looking forward to. With the advent of mobile technology, and an increasing focus on Internet business, these stores are beginning to see less traffic. With mobile games pushing to dominate the game industry, these stores may actually see closure, according to 24/7 Wall St., a market analysis and news group.

Gamestop experiences turbulence in game market

Gamestop, a U.S.-based game retailer, may fall victim to the success of mobile games and the changing game industry landscape. For several years, Gamestop has sold games to avid consumers and boasts of more than 4,400 stores throughout the U.S. The company has done very well in solidifying its position in the game industry through its various partnerships with game developers. Despite these partnerships, however, the retailer has been seeing less in-store traffic, though its Internet traffic has increased significantly over the past several years.

Retailer expected to close 500 stores in the future

In November of 2012, Gamestop announced that it would be closing 200 of its stores in 2013. Mobile games were cited as part of the reason behind the closing of these stores. The retailer is projected to close an additional 500 stores in  the coming years due to the impact of mobile games and other elements within the game industry. The company’s gross profit for the third quarter of 2012 show that its three core product segments have been hit hard. These segments are new hardware, new software, and used products.