Quality and the Future of Mobile Gaming

Imagine this scenario. You’re in your thirties out for brunch with likeminded friends. In the middle of brunch, the conversation steers towards gifting Pokémon to one another. Naively, you’re thinking: “Oh, well they must be talking about the Pokémon plushies or video games.” Seconds later, half the table has pulled out their phones, opened their Pokémon GO app and started showing off the rare Pokémon they’ve caught. Sometimes, it doesn’t always feel like I’m in my thirties.??

The prevalence of mobile games is undeniable. Their presence is everywhere, including Sunday brunch. There’s no getting away from a good mobile game. So today, we’re exploring mobile game quality and how it captured the attention of gamers across all devices.??

Quality is about more than graphics, performance, and gameplay. It’s about how gamers remain engaged in their chosen genre either through storytelling, aesthetic, and soundscape amongst other things. No matter how much a game ages, the higher the quality, the longer it’ll imprint in people’s minds.????

Historically, PC and Console gaming have set the standards and expectations for quality across the industry. The engines used to generate the games have been developed for the last 20 years making graphics look smooth, leaving behind the boxy pixelated characters from the 90s.?

In earlier years, mobile technology didn’t have the same ability it does today. The games either had to ‘scratch an itch’ (Candy Crush, 2012) or hook people in from the get-go with a captivating story (Lifeline, 2015). Mobile technology has shown exponential growth and demonstrated it can be as immersive and interactive as other platforms, Pokémon GO being a prime example. As of 2023, mobile has taken up 77.7% of the gaming market (Zippia).?

With the heightened quality of mobile gaming, the global gaming market has been disrupted. Mobile games are driving sales across all territories and are the primary driver of growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Action and Hyper Casual genres are the games with the most app installs in 2022 across APAC. At Maverick alone, we’ve worked on various mobile titles originating from APAC breaking into western markets including Dragon Ball, Tales of Luminaria, Pac-Man 256, Galaga Wars, and so many more.??

Mobile technology has enabled the democratisation of gaming - allowing every type of gamer to gain access to their own niche subgenre. Games like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Pokémon Unite, Asphalt 9, and many others allow cross-platform modes bringing together friends who use different platforms. This alone is a massive benefit to players enhancing the quality of their gaming experience.??

So far, mobile gaming has become the most inclusive cohort of gamers yet (Campaign Asia, 2023).?It’s probably why I’m finding myself sitting at brunch with friends from all walks of life and talking about Pokémon GO.??

If you wanted to know more about strategy for mobile gaming and how Maverick can help or you just want to chat about Pokémon Go – contact Francesca (Frankie) Knowles , Ben Hiscox , Tom Atkinson or Zion Pool direct. We’d love to hear from you!?