According to recent data from TechCrunch, there were 2.4 billion people playing mobile games in 2019. That means just over one-third of the entire global population plays at least one title on their smartphone.
33% of all downloads from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are games, but they account for almost three-quarters of all consumer spending through apps.
So while Sony and Microsoft are going to be dominating the headlines in the run up to Christmas thanks to the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, mobile games are going to be generating billions for their creators.
Success in Every Genre
Some of the most famous games, like Candy Crush Saga and Fortnite, have been performing well for several years now. Both have generated billions of dollars in revenue for their creators and built up huge fanbases around the world.
Other genres are performing well too. Online casinos have been making their games accessible on mobile devices for several years now, and competition in the market is driving operators to run promotions to attract new players. Savvy players now turn to sites like OddsChecker to find the best casino bonuses and offers before deciding which one to join.
Hyper casual games are seeing the most growth though, with demand for them increasing by 30% in 2019. Hyper casual games are those that can be played for just a few minutes at a time and can be enjoyed repeatedly. Good examples of this are puzzles like Mini Metro and Rolly Hill.
End of the Portable Gaming Era
Before smartphones were capable of playing games of the calibre they are today, portable games consoles were the only way to enjoy console-quality titles outside of the home.
The most successful portable gaming company is Nintendo, who started with their Game Boy in 1989. They recently retired the Nintendo 3DS, making the hybrid Nintendo Switch the only portable console still on the market is.
This is a testament to the success of mobile gaming, driven in part by the fact that billions of people around the world already have a device in their pocket that can play games.
New Demographics
Mobile games are also proving popular among demographics that didn’t traditionally play video games. The over 30s and women, who statistically were less likely to play games, regularly play mobile games at similar levels as younger male users.
This is helping to grow the sector even further since millions more players are now engaged.
The demand for mobile games doesn’t look like it will slow down any time soon, so expect to see record sales figures and download numbers for years to come.