Tag: zynga

Softbank invests in Finnish mobile games developer

| October 22, 2013

Softbank continues showing strong interest in mobile games

Softbank, a Japanese telecommunications corporation, has invested some $1.53 billion in a mobile games developer based in Finland. Per the investment, Softbank now owns a 51% stake in Supercell, developer of popular games like Clash of Clans and Hay Day. Despite the success of its games, Supercell is still considered a small development studio, but the developer is growing quickly and has established a formidable presence in the mobile games space.

Supercell boasts of strong revenue in games sector

Supercell has surpassed Zynga in terms of market value. The developer is currently valued at $3 billion and the developer’s games produce estimated daily revenue of over $2.4 million. The majority of this revenue comes from in-game purchases on virtual items and digital currencies. The financial clout that Supercell represents demonstrates the economic promise that can be found in the mobile games sector. As mobile games continue to grow in popularity, large companies like Softbank are looking to establish a lead in the sector.

Mobile Gaming - Softbank takes over Finish mobile games developerGlobal game industry revenue expected to hit $86 billion by 2016

Market research firm Newzoo predicts that the global revenue produced by the game industry as a whole will reach $86.1 billion by 2016. The firm expects the mobile games sector to grow quickly over that time, accounting for approximately 30% of global gaming revenue. Mobile games currently represent 17% of the revenue produced within the game industry. Consumers have shown that they are willing to spend money on mobile games despite the fact that the majority of these games are free to play.

Softbank aims for the global stage with mobile games

Approximately 20% of the investment coming from Softbank will be funneled through the company’s own mobile games studio, GungHo Online Entertainment. Softbank has already established a formidable presence in the Asian game market through its subsidiaries, but the company is not turning its interests to the global stage. Softbank is well positioned to compete with other large companies, such as Electronic Arts, that have begun entering into the mobile games sector.

Kongregate takes on mobile games

| July 9, 2013

Mobile games catch the attention of Kongregate

Kongregate has served as a host for online, browser-based games since being launched in late 2006. The platform supports a wide variety of online games that have been developed by independent studios and even individuals. The platform has garnered a great deal of support for this approach to gaming and now Kongregate is working to enter into an increasingly popular sector within the game industry: Mobile games. Kongregate has high hopes for mobile games and is keen to leverage its past experience in to make these games even more popular than they already are.

First mobile titles to be released this month

The first mobile games that will be released under the Kongregate banner will be Tyrant: Unleashed from Synapse Games and BloodRealm from RedPoint Labs. Numerous other mobile games will be supported on the platform in the coming months. All of these games will be free-to-play, but will include microtransactions. Gamers will be able to pay for additional content and services and these funds will go toward the developers of these mobile games, with a small percentage being taken by Kongregate as well.

Mobile Games - KongregateMobile games continue to generate hype with consumers

Mobile games have quickly become one of the most popular sectors in the game industry. These games are enjoyed by millions of consumers around the world and their popularity continues to grow as smartphones and tablets become more common. Kongregate is keen to take advantage of the popularity of mobile games while also offering a powerful platform upon which independent developers can reach out to consumers.

Game industry grows increasingly interested in the mobile space

Kongregate is not the only organization in the game industry that is interested in mobile games, of course. Zynga, which had once been considered the dominant force in social gaming, has also taken a strong interest in mobile games. Both Electronic Arts and Square Enix also have a strong interest in mobile games and have plans to support these titles in the future.