Shareholder urges company to take the mobile space more seriously
Nintendo may be entering into the mobile games space. The famed developer has said in the past that it has little to no interest in developing an publishing games for mobile devices. These games may be exactly what the company needs to remain relevant with consumers and generate more revenue, however. One of Nintendo’s most prominent shareholders, Seth Fischer, is now urging the developer to set its sights on mobile gaming in order to take advantage of the popularity that exists within that sector.
Mobile gaming continues to be quite lucrative for the game industry as a whole
Mobile games have become one of the most lucrative aspects of the game industry. Consumers are becoming more reliant on their mobile devices, which also means that they are using these devices for the sake of entertainment more regularly. Mobile games have become one of the most popular entertainment sources among consumers with smartphones and tablets. These consumers have also shown that they are willing to spend money on these games regularly. As consumers become more mobile, Nintendo may risk losing its relevance with new and future generations of consumers if it does not accommodate their interests.
Nintendo has an aversion to mobile gaming
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata notes that any short-term gain the company would receive from releasing its franchises on mobile devices would not be worth the development effort. Iwata does acknowledge, however, that Nintendo’s most beloved franchises do not need to be brought over to mobile devices. Instead, the developer could produce new titles that would be ideal for mobile devices while retaining the pedigree of its longstanding franchises.
Company may lose relevance with consumers as they become more mobile
Mobile games have become a popular pastime throughout the world. In Japan, consumers are spending hours upon hours playing these games and many are spending large sums of money on these games as well. If Nintendo continues to ignore the mobile space, the developer may end up facing an uncertain future, especially as its competitors begin to become more involved in the mobile world.
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.
