By Charles Perrin
The explosion in mobile gaming over the past few years has been extraordinary, and with more people downloading apps on their phones, this has been no fluke. Indeed, the accessibility of mobile gaming apps is arguably one of its main attractions.
There is no sign to suggest mobile gaming will slow down anytime soon, but how can its rise be explained? Well, in this guide, we have identified a few factors and predicted the road ahead for mobile gaming.
Tapping into the stats
While mobile gaming is far from a novel phenomenon, a cursory glance at the stats seems to indicate that we are dealing with a behemoth here, and the demand remains insatiable.
Yes, based on recent projections, the mobile gaming market is expected to show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.04% over the next five years, and by 2028, the industry could be worth $125billion by 2028.
Moreover, the number of users could hit a staggering 1.9bn by 2028, and things are even more promising if we drill things down further. Based on average revenue per use (ARPU), the mobile games market could exceed $53bn in 2028.
With more people owning a smartphone and using apps on the go to feed their gaming habits, the stats stated above may not seem so surprising.
Importance of analytics
Arguably, the unsung hero in the rise of mobile gaming, data analytics should not be belittled. Indeed, without analytics, mobile gaming developers would be scrambling around in the dark trying to figure out what makes gamers tick. However, it’s fair to assert that analytics have become increasingly sophisticated.
Yes, any reputable mobile gaming app will be constantly compiling information on the behavior of players. By examining metrics like level progression, game actions, and common exit points, mobile gaming app developers have been able to understand player motivations and preferences, so they can refine their gameplay accordingly.
The role of analytics has evolved hugely, especially when it comes to engagement and retention. Mobile gaming apps have logged data on daily active users, session durations, and return rates to determine what they need to do to tweak their products. Not only that, but the growing influence of AI has helped shape technological innovations and provided more deep-rooted insights into mobile gamers.
Allure of in-game purchases
Instrumental to the success of mobile gaming has been the role in-app purchases (IAPS). As a way of monetizing their product, this business model has ultimately become a tried and trusted method for those producing mobile gaming apps.
Of course, in-game purchases take on different forms. This includes auto-renewable subscriptions where users are automatically charged every pay period for access to content, as well as purchases that are more consumable. Among the most popular mobile games, includes Candy Crush and Pokemon Go. With the latter, players can access a raft of virtual goods and services that will enhance their gameplay experience and help them level up.
While there have been some criticisms leveled about the security of in-game purchases, as far as mobile gaming app developers are concerned, it has made their monetization strategy more incisive. If anything, it has served to reinforce the notion that in-game purchases are the backbone of an evolving mobile gaming industry.
Navigating gaming apps today
With more mobile gaming apps surfacing, it has raised questions over whether video games could become obsolete in the future. Indeed, the lower costs associated with developing mobile games have made them more profitable from a business perspective, and it has heaped the pressure on their console counterparts.
Consumers have become spoilt for choice, and that can also explain how casinos have muscled their way into the picture. Many of the top casinos nowadays will have worked tirelessly to refine their mobile product. This includes Drip Casino, which has a dedicated iOS and Android app catering to the whims of their users, and they have made mobile gaming more seamless.
Final Words
In summary, mobile gaming has made huge strides and the landscape looks vastly different from the one when apps first started to permeate their influence.
It is clear mobile gaming apps remain as popular as ever, and it has prompted questions over whether traditional console games will be consigned to the scrap heaps of history. That said, mobile gaming apps have managed to stay ahead of the curve, and for those who consume their games in this way, well this is cause for celebration.
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