Mobile Games – Why Are Mobile Games Increasingly Becoming the New Normal?

Mobile games often use new technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality to create a unique gaming experience. This makes these games very different from the traditional console games. In addition, they offer a great escape from reality. This escapism factor is a major factor in mobile gaming.

COVID-19

With mobile connectivity growing at a rapid pace and an explosion in free-to-play games, the industry is putting increasing focus on engagement per user. In addition to offering free games, some developers are offering in-game monetization options like downloadable content (such as new features and characters), or what’s called “loot boxes,” which are essentially virtual lotteries. This business model coincides with improvements in gaming hardware and bandwidth, making high-quality games more accessible to mobile users. In fact, close to half of the industry’s revenue now comes from mobile gaming.

Researchers have documented that playing mobile games has a positive impact on social connectedness, physical activity, and mental health. These effects were observed after the COVID-19 pandemic was first reported in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019. To prevent the spread of the disease, countries implemented quarantine measures by April 2020. Public services and social gatherings were halted, and many people chose to stay home to avoid the disease. However, during the lockdown, global game playing reached an all-time high, with more than 80% of consumers playing video games.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing is the technology that allows mobile game developers to host their data in the cloud. This technology enables developers to scale their game development and hosting services without worrying about physical infrastructure or software development. It also allows businesses to scale up and down by paying only for what they use. Furthermore, cloud computing is a great way to facilitate remote working. Many businesses have remote employees who don’t have access to a computer at home. This means that they may quit their jobs if they have to return to the office full-time.

As mobile game development continues to evolve, so must cloud services. Big cloud vendors would love to provide all the computing power that enterprises need, but many organizations are choosing to distribute their workload across several suppliers to reduce the risk of being locked into a single provider. This approach is called multi-cloud and helps businesses spread their workload across multiple providers and find the best mix of technologies that meet their specific needs.

Gen Z gamers

The millennial and Gen Z demographic are becoming more integrated into the world of mobile gaming. The rise of streaming platforms, such as Twitch, has made it easier for these consumers to share their gaming experiences with others. They also enjoy the convenience of being able to play games anywhere and anytime. These advancements have transformed the way we view gaming. The popularity of streaming has also helped erase the negative stereotypes associated with gaming.

In addition to millennials and Gen X gamers, Gen Z users also spend significant amounts of time on their smartphones. Global Wireless Solutions conducted a study on this topic and discovered that consumers spend up to four hours per day on their smartphones. This is an increase of ten minutes compared to pre-pandemic usage levels. The most popular apps among Gen Z consumers included personal finance and trading apps. The average user of these apps clocked 102% more hours on their phones than Gen X users.

Subscriptions and free-to-play models

Subscription models are an increasingly popular model for mobile games. Subscriptions can offer many benefits to players, such as no ads or IAPs, unlimited access to games, and more. The subscription model also gives developers an opportunity to create a relationship with players. It is also easy to integrate subscription benefits into the game.

In addition to monetizing players, subscription-based models can also include cross-device compatibility, online/offline access, and family/friends packages. Both Google and Apple have launched their own subscription-based gaming platforms. Apple launched its Apple Arcade in 2019 and currently offers over 130 games for $5 a month or $50 a year. The app offers a free trial period, and subscribers can choose between single-player and multiplayer games from a wide variety of genres.

Subscription-based games can also be monetized with battle passes. Battle passes, which cost a set fee, are popular in F2P games. Users can choose to pay for a battle pass, which allows them to access exclusive content for a specified period of time.