Mobile gaming has shown positive growth across the globe. Thanks to the extraordinary game development professionals who have played a crucial role in the surge of growth in the last few years. That is why most companies today lookout for resources who are adept in mobile game development.

The increased affordability of smartphones, coupled with their emergence as the leading category for gaming, has surpassed both PC and console gaming.

But why is this industry booming? What are the main causes and where did it all begin? This article aims to find these answers and showcases the past as well as the predictive future

As we trace the history of games from board games to PC games, we now see them dominate the mobile platform. The classic family game of snakes and ladders once enjoyed solely in a physical format, can now be played on mobile phones in multiplayer mode, allowing siblings to play together.

Mobile games were first commercialized in Japan and subsequently spread to other regions like Asia, Europe, North America, and eventually the rest of the world where smartphones were accessible. However, it was not until Apple introduced its app store that the gaming industry underwent a revolutionary change. With the introduction of color screens, consumer behavior shifted and nearly everyone with a smartphone began downloading games. Mobile games became smarter as mobile phones evolved.

Why are Mobile Games so Popular?

Smartphones are ubiquitous devices that transcend age and social status. From your grandfather to your five-year-old sibling, anyone can search for and download mobile games and start playing immediately, regardless of their location. According to AppAnnie, players downloaded 82.98 billion mobile games in 2021, with 64% of mobile game players engaging everyday. Additionally, gaming apps reported the longest session lengths per user in 2020.

The accessibility and convenience of mobile games have made them a popular choice for players worldwide. Unlike setting up a PC or console and its peripherals, downloading and playing mobile games is a hassle-free experience. The best part is that you can enjoy these games anywhere, anytime. You can download your favorite game from app stores and play it while waiting for a taxi or your restaurant order.

Developers and publishers find mobile games more cost-effective to produce, and most mobile games employ a free-to-play business model, resulting in low barriers to entry. Mobile games are now synonymous with creativity and console-quality titles. Manufacturers have designed joysticks and controllers tailored explicitly for mobile phones, and we may even see pc or console titles playable on mobile in the future.

Of course, once the public’s love for mobile games was established, companies had to find ways to generate revenue without alienating their audience too much.

Therefore, the industry has grown rapidly over the past two decades, with mobile games now accounting for the majority of global gaming revenue. From simple puzzles to immersive multiplayer experiences, mobile games have evolved through various stages, each bringing new features and possibilities to gamers around the world. Here are the different stages of its evolution:

Stage 1: The Dawn of Mobile Gaming

The first stage of mobile gaming began in the late 1990s and early 2000s. During this period, mobile phones were primarily used for calls and texting, and mobile games were limited to simple arcade games like Snake and Tetris. These games were easy to play and didn’t require much processing power, but they lacked the depth and complexity of modern mobile games.

Stage 2: The Rise of Java Games

The second stage of mobile gaming began in the mid-2000s, with the introduction of Java-based mobile games. Java games were more advanced than their predecessors, with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics. They also allowed for more complex games, such as strategy games and role-playing games (RPGs). However, Java games were still limited by the processing power and memory of early mobile phones.

Stage 3: The Emergence of App Stores

The third stage of mobile gaming began in 2008 with the launch of Apple’s App Store. The App Store allowed developers to create and distribute their games to millions of iPhone users worldwide. This gave rise to a new generation of mobile games that were designed specifically for touchscreen devices. Games like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja became instant classics, with millions of downloads and billions of dollars in revenue.

Stage 4: The Era of Free-to-Play

The fourth stage of mobile gaming began in the early 2010s, with the rise of free-to-play games. These games were initially derided as cheap cash grabs, but they quickly became the dominant business model for mobile games. Free-to-play games are funded through in-app purchases, where players can buy virtual currency or items to enhance their gameplay experience. This model has proven to be incredibly successful, with games like Candy Crush and Clash of Clans generating billions of dollars in revenue.

Stage 5: The Emergence of AR and VR

The fifth stage of mobile gaming is currently underway, with the emergence of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. AR and VR games allow players to immerse themselves in virtual worlds, where they can interact with digital objects and characters in real time. Games like Pokemon Go and Ingress Prime have already demonstrated the potential of AR technology, while VR games like Beat Saber and Job Simulator are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in mobile gaming.

The Future of Mobile Gaming

The future of mobile gaming is difficult to predict, but the industry will continue to evolve and innovate. With the advent of 5G networks, cloud gaming, and advanced AI, mobile games will become more immersive, interactive, and social than ever before. We can expect to see more games that blur the lines between virtual and real-world experiences, as well as games that use biometric data and other sensors to create more personalized gameplay experiences.

Conclusion

The convenience and accessibility of mobile gaming have made it increasingly popular, resulting in an ever-growing demand for new and innovative games. This rise in demand implies that there will be a need for more game developers in the future to keep up with the industry’s demand. As technology advances, developers will have to continue to create more sophisticated and advanced games to satisfy the evolving needs of gamers. Get in touch with the MAGES Institute to keep up with changing dynamics of this industry and stay ahead of your competition.