HOW MOBILE GAMING IS REPLACING CONSOLE GAMING
For most people, the idea, or certainly the image, of gaming is dominated by consoles and PC gaming. However, that image is changing, as is the nature of gaming itself.
A recent poll by U.K.-based mobile strategy agency Tappable has indicated that 42% of gamers now use a smartphone as their primary method of gaming, with only 32% of respondents favoring consoles and 26% primarily using a PC.
So why is this the case?
A Wider Range of Games
One of the major benefits of making games for a mobile platform is the much larger range of games and apps that can be produced.
While the same major titles for computer and console gaming dominate sales figures on a near-annual release loop, the mobile platform is able to host a much wider range of genres. Whereas titles like Call of Duty, Battlefield, and the 2K Sports series do well on consoles, mobile platforms have more room to accomodate a wider range of titles.
Gamers on the mobile platform have access to engaging VR experiences like the hugely popular Virtual Virtual Reality from Occulus, new takes on old-school casino games by companies like Betway, and even mobile ports of AAA games from other platforms, such as PUBGMobile.
This wider range of games means that titles on mobile platforms can appeal to a wider market. There is also a significant appeal in the ability of one platform to provide multiple gaming experiences.
Unlike a console, you might be able to play a VR game, a AAA title and a simple color matching game one after another without spending a significant amount on new peripherals or physical copies of the game.
The Power of Smart Phones
The increasing power of smartphones has also had a massive impact on how the mobile gaming space is evolving.
The technology packed into a modern smartphone is more than capable of rendering graphics and audio that, while it can’t compete with a modern console or top of the range PC, isn’t horrible by comparison either.
The mobile gaming space is also at the forefront of VR gaming because of the fact that the handheld nature of a smartphone means it is easily compatible with inexpensive VR headsets, such as the Occulus Rift, while still packing enough power to render a virtual environment.
One of the other benefits of mobile gaming is that, unlike PC gaming, there isn’t a noticeable “spec creep” in the games that are being produced. The constant push to make games look better on the PC has led to some graphics cards having a shelf life as short as 6 months, meaning you’re constantly upgrading your card to be able to play next-gen games.
For most people, the idea, or certainly the image, of gaming is dominated by consoles and PC gaming. However, that image is changing, as is the nature of gaming itself.
A recent poll by U.K.-based mobile strategy agency Tappable has indicated that 42% of gamers now use a smartphone as their primary method of gaming, with only 32% of respondents favoring consoles and 26% primarily using a PC.
So why is this the case?
A Wider Range of Games
One of the major benefits of making games for a mobile platform is the much larger range of games and apps that can be produced.
While the same major titles for computer and console gaming dominate sales figures on a near-annual release loop, the mobile platform is able to host a much wider range of genres. Whereas titles like Call of Duty, Battlefield, and the 2K Sports series do well on consoles, mobile platforms have more room to accomodate a wider range of titles.
Gamers on the mobile platform have access to engaging VR experiences like the hugely popular Virtual Virtual Reality from Occulus, new takes on old-school casino games by companies like Betway, and even mobile ports of AAA games from other platforms, such as PUBGMobile.
This wider range of games means that titles on mobile platforms can appeal to a wider market. There is also a significant appeal in the ability of one platform to provide multiple gaming experiences.
Unlike a console, you might be able to play a VR game, a AAA title and a simple color matching game one after another without spending a significant amount on new peripherals or physical copies of the game.
The Power of Smart Phones
The increasing power of smartphones has also had a massive impact on how the mobile gaming space is evolving.
The technology packed into a modern smartphone is more than capable of rendering graphics and audio that, while it can’t compete with a modern console or top of the range PC, isn’t horrible by comparison either.
The mobile gaming space is also at the forefront of VR gaming because of the fact that the handheld nature of a smartphone means it is easily compatible with inexpensive VR headsets, such as the Occulus Rift, while still packing enough power to render a virtual environment.
One of the other benefits of mobile gaming is that, unlike PC gaming, there isn’t a noticeable “spec creep” in the games that are being produced. The constant push to make games look better on the PC has led to some graphics cards having a shelf life as short as 6 months, meaning you’re constantly upgrading your card to be able to play next-gen games.
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Convenience
Ease of use is a huge driver behind the rise of mobile gaming and, ironically, the sales of Nintendo’s Switch console are some of the biggest indicators of the benefit of producing a gaming device that is small enough to be conveniently carried. In fact, Switch games are outselling those of other consoles right now.
The ability to be able to carry a fully functional games console around in your pocket is a huge advance on being tethered to a static console or PC, and mobile phones have an even greater advantage over the Switch in that most of us already own one.
The Changing Face of Gaming
One of the major factors that has led to the rise of mobile gaming is the changing face of gaming itself. Recent years has seen the emergence and massive rise in the popularity of eSports. Even if it isn’t yet taken entirely seriously by mainstream news outlets, it has still moved from a niche market to a sector now worth tens of billions.
Indeed, within the last year an eSports racing driver managed to beat Lucas di Grassi, an ex-F1 driver, at the Race of Champions event in Mexico, and Fortnite’s Astronomical Travis Scott event became one of the most talked-about music events of the year, despite only happening in-game.
As gaming continues to push the boundaries of what can be achieved, mobile gaming continues to make an increasingly valid claim on deserving as much attention as PC or console gaming.
Ease of use is a huge driver behind the rise of mobile gaming and, ironically, the sales of Nintendo’s Switch console are some of the biggest indicators of the benefit of producing a gaming device that is small enough to be conveniently carried. In fact, Switch games are outselling those of other consoles right now.
The ability to be able to carry a fully functional games console around in your pocket is a huge advance on being tethered to a static console or PC, and mobile phones have an even greater advantage over the Switch in that most of us already own one.
The Changing Face of Gaming
One of the major factors that has led to the rise of mobile gaming is the changing face of gaming itself. Recent years has seen the emergence and massive rise in the popularity of eSports. Even if it isn’t yet taken entirely seriously by mainstream news outlets, it has still moved from a niche market to a sector now worth tens of billions.
Indeed, within the last year an eSports racing driver managed to beat Lucas di Grassi, an ex-F1 driver, at the Race of Champions event in Mexico, and Fortnite’s Astronomical Travis Scott event became one of the most talked-about music events of the year, despite only happening in-game.
As gaming continues to push the boundaries of what can be achieved, mobile gaming continues to make an increasingly valid claim on deserving as much attention as PC or console gaming.