Over the past few years, mobile gaming has grown significantly in which it now accounts for 50% of video gaming revenue worldwide. As mobile technology becomes more accessible across the world, more and more people are opting to use their mobiles over desktop devices. From ordering groceries and online banking to social media and video gaming, mobile phones are now the number one choice when it comes to performing online tasks.
But what’s in store for mobile gaming? Will mobile gaming die out in favor of the latest gaming consoles and portable devices, or is what we’re seeing in mobile gaming just the start?
Below, we’ll take a look at what’s in store for mobile gaming across 2022.
Technological advancements fueling mobile growth
Long gone are the days when the most common mobiles to be owned were the Nokia and snake was the best game since sliced bread. Today’s smartphones have infinitely more processing power than earlier mobile phone models, in which they can perform many tasks that a modern-day computer can.
One of the top developments for mobile which supports video gaming is the widespread coverage of 4G and 5G technology. As the 5th generation mobile network, 5G offers an infinite amount of speed compared to earlier network versions. 5G connects almost everything and everyone across the planet, creating a global village where people from across the world can connect, communicate, and even access gaming technology that isn’t even available in their country of residence yet.
Some of the increased benefits 5G brings to gaming include:
- Enhanced broadband coverage – With faster streaming, lower latency, and lower cost-per-bit, 5G enables more advanced gaming with the incorporation of technologies like VR and AR.
- Enhanced communications – 5G is enabling new services that incorporate remote communications, making mobile gameplay much more sociable than it’s ever been before. Such examples include online chat rooms and live dealer play.
- Large-scale IoT – With embedded sensors on numerous devices and an infinite amount of data power, online gaming is not only more intelligent but much smarter, more intuitive, and more focused when it comes to mobile gaming marketing tactics.
The app economy
As mobile gaming has become more popular, the need to make it more integrated and accessible has become even more prevalent. As such, many providers offer mobile gaming apps with benefits including:
- Live op events – Live op events have become a popular engagement tactic where players have access to short-term events where they can earn exclusive rewards in exchange for increased consumer engagement and monetization.
- Exclusive collectibles – mobile apps come with highly personalized perks such as exclusive in-game collectibles for players, keeping them coming back for more while earning customer loyalty.
- Customizable experiences – Personalized apps mean that players can tailor their experience to their unique preferences and preferred gaming styles, creating an enhanced user experience on mobile devices.
- Exclusive promotions – Personalized targeting from mobile notifications enables gaming providers to offer unique promotions and exclusive offers for gamers, in return for increased gameplay.
- Freemium apps – Freemium apps have become incredibly popular as a method of encouraging consumers to download their apps, before enticing them to purchase more advanced features once they’re hooked on a game.
The rise of mobile casinos
Live casino games have become incredibly popular as mobile gaming technology has advanced. While players once had to download an interface to their desktop to access their favorite casino games, today’s mobile gaming technology enables players to play from the comfort of their mobile. This means players have access to their favorite casino games whether they’re on a beach on a remote island, on the commute to work, or even from the sofa at 3 am if they wish.
However, as mobile casinos have become more and more popular, the competition has significantly increased between mobile casino providers in the online space. Not only does this make it more difficult for consumers to make a decision, but it also means that online casino providers have had to come up with more innovative ways to attract and retain their customers.
One of the ways they do this is through the incorporation of the latest online gaming technologies such as live dealer poker. Liver dealer poker operates in the same way of traditional online games, only the dealer in person broadcasts live to the other players. Players are able to interact with the dealer, helping to bridge the gap between the physical and online world while allowing more interactivity for players.
Other technologies incorporated into online gaming include virtual reality. As VR headsets have become more accessible to consumers on the mainstream market, they’ve helped to improve gameplay by fully immersing the player in the online world while reducing external environmental distractions.
Will mobile take over console gaming
While mobile gaming now contributes to 50% of gaming revenue overall, the likes of Nintendo and Microsoft continue to bring out the latest gaming consoles that are proving to continually entice players. While part of the popularity is driven by a come-back in retro games, the ever-evolving technologies of mobile gaming mean it’s giving console gaming a run for its money.
Overall, mobile gaming continues to keep growing in revenue and popularity in which modern-day convenience, combined with top user experience and impressive graphics means that mobile gaming is only set to keep growing throughout 2022.
