4 Popular Mobile Gaming Trends to Look Out For
October 20, 2021
We’re happy to report that the mobile gaming industry has been bringing its A-game to the table lately (pun intended).
Partly due to the pandemic, mobile gaming revenue has skyrocketed and has only been leveling up since then.
According to AdColony.com, “The State of Mobile Gaming 2021 says revenue growth only accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and users spent more than $22 billion in mobile games in Q1 2021”.
We’re about to throw more amazing statistics your way!
Did you know that just like social media and fashion, mobile gaming has trends, too? Here are four popular mobile gaming trends to look out for.
1. Gaming is Becoming More Inclusive
If you’ve ever played Words With Friends with your sweet, adorable grandma, you know this is true. The convenience of not being tied down by components like wires, consoles, and controllers makes mobile games so versatile for every generation. The simplicity of being able to download multiple games from different genres and play with anyone regardless of age is definitely appealing.
Not to mention, there are more than just first-person shooter games. From interior design and gardening to caring for pets, games appeal to more niches than ever before. Did you know there’s an entire genre dedicated to cozy games? 80% of downloaded games in 2020 were casual and only 11% were action/shooter games.
Whether you’re a busy mom trying to relax, a stressed college student looking for a creative outlet, or a kid that just loves gaming, there’s a game out there waiting for you in the App Store.
2. 5G Is Here to Spice Things Up
Innovation struck the mobile world yet again due to the 5G rollout last year. Newzoo’s Global Mobile Market Report tells us that more than 700 million smartphones will be 5G-compatible by the end of 2021, with no intention of slowing its roll.
Within the next two years, it is predicted that over 2.1 billion mobile phones will be 5G-compatible (which is pretty awesome if you ask us).
How exactly does this 5G technology benefit mobile games? We’re here to fill you in!
5G technology offers low latency, high speed connectivity, and a higher bandwidth to mobile phones, ultimately improving game performance and providing a better multiplayer experience.
So get excited, your gaming sessions with your besties are about to get a major upgrade in the near future!
3. More Hyper-Casual Games Are Being Released
According to Sensor Tower, in 2020, hyper-casual games were responsible for one-third (31%) of global downloads, equating to 6.3 billion downloads.
You might be wondering: what makes hyper-casual games so popular? Due to the simplicity and ease of use while playing, these games can certainly be highly addictive and not to mention, lots of fun.
If you find yourself stressed and in need of some relaxation, a fun hyper-casual game might be just what you need to melt all those troubles away. The next time you’re on the subway, glimpse over and you can probably find at least one person playing a hyper-casual game.
4. The U.S. Tops Mobile Game Spending
We’ve got another fun fact from Sensor Tower for you: The U.S. remains the top market for mobile gaming, having already surpassed Japan in 2019.
Revenue has surpassed $6 billion just this year and likely will only keep growing from here.
The pandemic has definitely played a big part in this monetary success, as it amplified player spending by 35%, according to Adcolony.com.
With the recent success of the mobile gaming industry, we predict that revenue in the U.S. will only continue to skyrocket, especially since AAA games are being introduced to the mobile platform.
We’re thrilled to see how mobile gaming will continue to prosper and make its way to the top.
Now that you’re aware of all of the recent trends that have been happening in our favorite industry, which one surprised you the most?