If you imagine yourself gaming, you might think of picking up a PlayStation or Xbox controller, staring into a TV screen and hammering away at the buttons. Even the very first video games involved a large screen and a separate controller.
But in the past decade, mobile gaming has enjoyed an astronomical ascent to become the largest video games market – overtaking consoles and PCs in the process.
It’s helped, of course, by the proliferation of smartphones in modern society. Over half the global population now own one – far beyond the numbers for other gaming platforms. But what else is driving this trend, what are gamers playing, and where is the market going?
Key appeals of mobile gaming
The most obvious appeal of mobile gaming, perhaps, is its accessibility.
Whether at home or on the go, players can jump into quickfire games with just a few taps. Many mobile games are free or low cost too – unlike the prohibitively expensive modern consoles, where new titles commonly cost around £70. Most mobile games make money instead from in-app purchases and advertisements.
Mobile gaming is also typically more casual than traditional forms, designed for short bursts and appealing to wider audiences with less time on their hands. Social features meanwhile are helping build online communities, attracting friends and strangers to jump in and play together.
What kinds of mobile gaming are there?
The very first mobile games were primitive, restricted by the older phones they were designed for. But the larger, high-definition screens and higher processing power of smartphones have given way to a plethora of new and exciting games.
Quickfire games like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja were among the first top titles of the iPhone era. This has been followed by more ambitious releases that more closely resemble console titles in their graphics, allowing players to dive into full-blown story modes and multiplayer campaigns.
Today’s mobile game stores now offer a plethora of titles for different players and situations. That includes simple, short level-based titles such as Candy Crush, plus stunning console recreations like FIFA, and gambling options such as slick bingo apps.
What does the future hold?
The mobile gaming market is only expected to grow in the coming years, particularly as smartphone adoption continues to increase around the world.
Further advances in technology should lead to more immersive, interactive options in the gaming charts, for example titles harnessing artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and cross-platform play.
Accessibility and inclusivity is likely to be an increasing priority for developers too as the market expands – both in terms of game design and dynamics and the characters they feature.