There are over 3.6 billion smartphone users in the world today, and that figure is expected to grow to 4.3 billion by 2023. No surprise then that mobile gaming is undergoing a worldwide surge in popularity.
The global video gaming market as a whole, has been driven by this upsurge in mobile use. So much so that in 2020, nearly 50 percent of video gaming revenue was estimated to have been accrued through smartphone games.
As smartphone usage continues to accelerate globally, mobile games revenue alone, is expected to beat the 100 billion-dollar-mark by 2023. But what is causing this boom in mobile gaming?
Why is mobile gaming so popular?
There’s no doubt that everyone loves to play games but why has mobile gaming proved so popular?
Accessibility
Thanks to smartphones, playing games isn’t a past time that’s restricted to your location or the time of day. If you’re sat on a bus, waiting in a queue or at home on the sofa, then you can take out your phone and play.
In this on demand world we live in, people want the freedom and flexibility to choose when and where they do things. Thanks to the smartphone in their pocket, games are now accessible 24 hours a day.
Variety
Type in games into the google app store and the list is endless. There are games for everyone and for every mood.
From racing games, to poker, puzzles and Angry Birds. The huge variety on offer means that there is a game out for there for everyone.
Affordability
The cost of purchasing an Xbox, PlayStation or gaming laptop is prohibitive for many. On top of that, the cost of the games is often expensive.
The vast majority of mobile games are free to play, and those that do cost money, are all considerably cheaper than their console counterparts.
This means that players are able to try games out for free or at little cost, widening their appeal even further.
Technology
Rapid advances in technology have played a huge part in mobile gaming success. As smartphones get ever more advanced, their gaming capabilities increase too.
Coupled with the roll out of 5G, mobile gamer’s no longer see mobile games as second best. They offer an immersive, fast, enjoyable game play experience for users.
Popular online mobile games
With such a wide variety of games out there it can be hard to choose which game to play. We’ve put together a list of the some of the most popular mobile games available right now.
Online Poker:
The growth in mobile gaming can in many ways be traced to the growth in popularity of online casinos and especially poker. Offering a wide variety of games, the latest technology and great accessibility, online poker has boomed.
Many poker games are free to play thanks to the variety of promotions and offers available. Meaning anybody from beginners to the more serious gamers out there can find a game that suits them.
The wealth of information available online, offering tips, strategies and even a poker odds calculator, means poker’s a game for everyone. With huge jackpots and prizes available to lucky winners, it’s no surprise that more and more people are playing poker online.
Call of Duty:
The world’s best-selling video game franchise is available on mobile and its popularity shows no signs of waning. This stunningly realistic combat first person shooter looks great even on a smartphone.
It is unrealistic to expect the same gaming experience as you would get on a console or pc. But Call of Duty Mobile provides an impressive and immersive game play experience despite its smartphone limitations.
Screen controls aren’t the best and there’s no Bluetooth controller option, but it’s accurate and fun to play. With lots of modes to try out, plus a not to be missed Battle Royale mode, it’s easy to see why this free to play game is such a hit.
Minecraft:
The console and PC versions of the Minecraft game have won several awards and lots of acclaim from critics. With many calling it one the greatest video games of all time.
Thanks to its famous ‘blocky’ graphics, the game looks just as good on your smartphone as it does on a PC. Playability is simple too, be it in creative or survival mode.
The mobile version lacks the depth of the PC version. The maps are smaller here and there are limited building options, but this is still an amazing world-builder.
All in all, this Pocket Edition is a lot of fun, and it will definitely satisfy any Minecraft cravings while you’re away from home.
Pokémon Go:
This ground breaking augmented reality (AR) game was designed specifically for smartphones. Downloaded over 500 million times worldwide when it was released in 2016, it reached a billion downloads in early 2019.
This addictive game has been named “Best Mobile Game” by Game Developers Choice Awards and “Best App of the Year” by TechCrunch. Designed with the aim of encouraging people to get moving, players simply create their own avatar and start exploring.
As you move around, your smartphone vibrates to let you know when you’re near a Pokémon. Once you’ve encountered a Pokémon, take aim on your smartphone’s touch screen and throw a Poké Ball to catch it.
Also look for PokéStops located at places of interest —such as museums and monuments, where you can collect Poké Balls and other items. But remember to keep an eye on your mobile battery!
The future of mobile gaming
As technology improves and smartphones become cheaper and more widely used, the appeal of mobile gaming will only grow. Thanks to the low cost, huge choice and accessibility of games, more and more smartphone users are playing online.
This growth has seen many more games publishers enter an already crowded market. But this competition will drive innovation and result in even better games for smartphone users to look forward to.