In 2018, mobile gaming outperformed both console and PC gaming combined when it generated revenues of $70.3 billion, setting the sector on a path of domination, which it has yet to fall from.
Last year, we saw a similar pattern emerge when mobile accounted for $93.2 billion (52%) of the gaming industry’s revenues. Now, with smartphone penetration at an all-time high, the stage is set for mobile to truly become the future of the gaming industry.
Mobile Gaming in 2022
Mobile gaming has undergone substantial growth and transformation since the early days of Nokia’s Snake or even Rovio’s Angry Birds. This fast-paced sector is now situated at the forefront of innovation and development and has even brought about new generations of mobile technologies.
Within the space of a decade, the popularity of mobile gaming has risen so much that smartphone manufacturers are now releasing dedicated gaming phones, which harness console-worthy power levels and graphics to meet consumer demand.
High-tech devices need high-tech games, and several of the gaming industry’s most recognisable development companies and studios have already made the transition to mobile gaming. NetEase, Microsoft, Riot Games and Activision have all launched mobile games, which have gone on to be instant hits with the gaming audience. Call of Duty: Mobile, for example, has already generated over $1 billion in revenue and has been downloaded over 500 million times.
Of course, mobile isn’t the only emergent sector to disrupt the traditional gaming space. iGaming, also a genre placing emphasis on immersive instant gaming experiences, is gaining traction across the globe. Featuring platforms that offer players free poker game opportunities, among other benefits, iGaming has become a powerful sector with considerable reach.
However, mobile gaming is universally popular, and it appeals to players across all demographics, regardless of age, socio-economic background and even location. The nature of iGaming means it needs to be a regulated industry. However, mobile gaming is a freer market and is even accessible to players in remote locations thanks to cheap data connections and affordable handsets.
What’s In Store for Mobile Gaming?
According to a new report cited by Business Wire, the recent growth of mobile gaming indicates that within five years, the global market will be worth as much as $153.5 billion. This would reflect a CAGR of 11.5% between 2020 and 2027 and points towards mobile being the best-performing sector in the entire gaming industry.
The future of mobile gaming will be highly impacted by initiatives like PlayStation’s Mobile Division Studios. The Sony corporation recently announced the formation of a dedicated mobile gaming arm, which is set to create new AAA games as well as update the existing PS portfolio to run smoothly on mobile devices.
It’s not just gaming entities that are expanding to mobile; content streaming giant Netflix has also embarked on a path to conquer the sector as it has TV and film. The company has already released five original games available to play on iOS mobile devices, including two Stranger Things tie-ins: 1984 and Stranger Things 3: The Game. While the company describes its venture as still being early days, it aims to build a “library of games” over the coming months.