Why are Mobile Games so Popular?

The increased accessibility of smart gadgets, particularly smartphones, has catapulted mobile gaming into the stratosphere and we can confidently say that playing video games as one of the world's most widely embraced hobbies. It is expected to continue its ascent, with the number of global smartphone users expected to hit 4.5 billion by 2024 (according to Newzoo).

A couple of days ago, together with an amazing group of experts, Esports Awards invited me to participate in a panel discussion to talk about the current state of mobile gaming and esports. One of the first questions that we addressed was: "Why are mobile games so popular?" I was thinking about our discussions, and I thought it would be a good idea to elaborate further; so I decided to write an article capturing some of the points we discussed and a few of my personal views.

Several factors have contributed to the meteoric rise in popularity of mobile gaming.

Several factors have contributed to the meteoric rise in popularity of mobile gaming. Why is this the case? Well, let’s start with the fact that these games can be purchased for a lower price than games for home video game systems. Simply put, mobile gaming is a social pastime that doesn't break the bank, and the best thing is that there is a mobile game for everyone, from casual players to serious gamers.

The development of mobile devices has made incredible strides in the past decade and sophisticated mobile technology is now affordable. The most cutting-edge features and improvements in mobile hardware development, such as 4G/5G, Wi-Fi standards, more efficient hardware, etc. have trickled down to more reasonably priced smartphones and tablets.

Games that are free to play but require money to unlock features are called "freemium." These features might range from customization to lots of in-game currency. Freemium video games have grown in popularity, especially on mobile.

The rise of "freemium" games is indeed of the primary reasons for mobile gaming's success. These are games that are free to download and play but offer in-game purchases for extra lives, power-ups, or levels. This model has proven to be quite successful, with many of the most popular iOS and Android titles being freemium.

Let’s talk about convenience. You can easily carry your games with you wherever you go because mobile devices are more portable than consoles.

While waiting for other things to happen, playing mobile games is a fun way to kill time. In comparison to their console counterparts, iOS and Android games are typically shorter and less complex; this makes them ideal for short playtimes, such as during breaks at work.

The covid-19 global pandemic was a significant factor in the proliferation of gaming applications, especially as people had more free time due to travel and movement restrictions.?

Most mobile games also have a stronger social component than their console counterparts. People of different ages and backgrounds use mobile games as a means of forming new relationships.?According to a study conducted by Simon-Kucher & Partners in 2020, around 60% of consumers played more multiplayer and social games. In addition, the study suggests that games with social elements are more likely to go viral, lock people to their platform, and attract and retain players of all types.

Another factor is that we have an enormous variety of mobile games! A decade ago, there wasn't nearly as much diversity in mobile games as there is now. There were a lot of hidden object and puzzle games. Do not misunderstand me; I still love those games, but many people got bored of them quickly; these gamers were hoping for a much better gaming experience similar to the one that home consoles and personal computers could provide them. These gamers yearned for a variety of styles. ?That's precisely what the present-day situation is like for them. They can play their favorite sports, embark on an exciting trip, or practice their roulette strategy at online casinos.

The variety of mobile gaming genres plays a key role

The variety of mobile gaming genres is a major factor in the medium's success and popularity. That's precisely what the present-day situation is like for them. They can play their favorite sports, embark on an exciting trip, or practice their roulette strategy at online casinos.

We have to understand that graphics play a crucial role in video games as they can define the interest of people in a particular game. Gamers want to enjoy seeing realistic elements. When game developers saw the potential of the mobile market, they opted to invest more money in this sector. They were capable of providing users greater visuals because of advancements in technology. People can now play simple mobile games and feel as if they are playing on a console.?

We just mentioned that graphics play an essential role, however, even if the gameplay is flawless, a terrible plot will ruin the experience; and this may be one of the most crucial rules to remember when designing video games: we need good stories! In the past, mobile games did not really have stories. But today people may now play a game on their phones and feel as if they are watching and participating in a movie.

One thing we can’t forget is the rise of hyper-casual gaming. The causes for mobile gaming's popularity as a lifestyle companion have been dominated by hyper-casual gaming. For those that are not familiar with the term, hyper-casual gaming is a practice in which the user spends a small amount of time each day playing a game with repeating levels and gameplay mechanics. In these games the difficulty changes between levels is very small, so the user is hooked but not discouraged. Candy Crush is probably the best example of hyper-casual game - simple to enter, simple to exit, and enjoyable (and addictive) to play.

Last but not least, given my background as a clinical psychologist, I'd like to draw attention to something that fascinates me: mobile games make you feel good.

Mobile Games make you feel good

• In mobile games the challenges are constantly changing, and users feel accomplished when they pass a level or reach a milestone in mobile games. Shareable achievements and leaderboards have added to the sense of quick fulfillment and gratification.
• In 2017 Tapjoy published a research report titled “The Changing Face of Mobile Gamers”, in which they examined the mindset, motivations, behaviors and demographics of those consumers playing mobile games. They found that 59% of people reported feeling more at ease after playing mobile games. This is twice as many people as use Twitter, Instagram, or any of the other popular social media apps.

Gaming has evolved from being seen as a hobby or way to relax at home to being recognized as an inevitable part of modern life.

The mobile game industry is exploding. It is a promising industry driven by technical advancements and innovation, and it is consequential to, if not necessary to, society development.

#gaming #esports #mobilegaming #innovation #technology #psychology #casualgaming

Almudena Berzosa is a senior executive with over 20 years of multifunctional experience in global roles, leading complex projects in strategy, intelligence, and business transformation.?She is currently the Chief Transformation Officer at Team Queso, the leader mobile esports organization in the West region; and she is working on her doctorate research where she studies the relationship between leadership, personality and socioeconomical factors.

For similar content, follow her on?LinkedIn and Twitter?@A_berzosa