Mobile games find traction with investors
Investments in mobile games startups have increased in the second quarter of this year, according to a new report from Digi-Capital, an investment group devoted to the game industry. The report shows that the value of these investments has increased by some 63% over what it had been in the first half of 2012, reaching $706 million. The report also shows that the number of investments in game companies has grown by 7%.
Report highlights the transactions mobile games represent
According to the report, mobile games have seen strong growth this year. These games accounted for 56% of the transaction value and 37% of the transaction volume seen in the game industry. The growth that mobile games have been experiencing is largely due to the increased proliferation of smartphones and tablets. As these devices become more available, more consumers are being drawn into the mobile gaming space. Many of these consumers have shown that they are willing to spend their money on these games.
Online functionality proves popular among consumers
The report predicts that mobile games and online games could grow to account for 55% of the $83 billion game market by 2016. Online games have proven to be particularly attractive due to the community elements they feature. Mobile games with online functionality have managed to attract the enthusiasm of consumers around the world, many of whom have begun seeking out similar games that offer community-based gameplay.
Tablets are favored for mobile gaming
Mobile games currently represent 72% of the money that is spent on mobile applications. This includes in-app payments that consumers make to unlock additional content. These games have become most popular on tablet devices. The report shows that tablets account for nearly 67% of mobile game use. Consumers appear to favor tablet devices for gaming because of the larger screens that these devices sport as well as their more advance graphics processing units.
Study shows consumers play mobile games on their tablets more so than other platforms
Frank N. Magid Associates, a media and entertainment research firm, has released a new study concerning mobile games. These games have been growing in popularity for some time, experiencing the bulk of this growth over the past five years. As consumers become more involved in their smartphones and tablets, these games are finding a foothold with a larger audience. The prominence of mobile technology has made mobile games a very lucrative and influential part of the game industry.
Tablets account for $914 million in in-game spending
The study shows that mobile games have established a strong following, but that the majority of those that play these games prefer to do so on tablet devices. The study suggests that 69% of tablet users play games on their device, with 31% of these gamers participating in in-game transactions. These gamers spent an average of $48 each on mobile games over the past year. This translates into tablets representing some $914 million of in-game spending.
Tablets offer better experience for mobile games
The reason people seem to prefer tablets over smartphones when it comes to mobile games is relatively straightforward. Tablets feature larger screens that are typically more responsive than those than can be found on smaller mobile devices. This allows for better control in mobile games as well as the opportunity to experience these games on a larger scale rather than be forced to view games on a small, somewhat restrictive screen. The larger size of tablet devices is also accommodating to higher quality hardware, allowing these devices to offer more graphical power to mobile games than smartphones.
Android may be catching up to iOS
Tablets have established themselves as the primary platform for mobile games. This is not likely to change in the immediate future, despite the fact that new smartphones are emerging with better graphics processing units and other such hardware. Currently, the iPad is the most popular tablet for mobile games, but the study shows that Android tablets are beginning to gain momentum among consumers.
