Mobile Gaming
The vast majority of people now play mobile games on their smartphones and tablets. Whether you’re on the go, in the office, or simply at home, there are many reasons to choose this mode of gaming. In addition to being more convenient, it’s also more cost-effective, and many games are free. There are also no extra hardware requirements, so there’s no excuse to not play mobile games. However, there are some differences between mobile and desktop gaming.
The most recent report from Deloitte finds that mobile games have become the fastest growing sector in Europe. These games have quickly gained popularity with European consumers, and have become some of the most popular apps on smartphones. A report from the Entertainment Software Association (2015) also reveals that the gaming industry is transitioning from being PC-based to cross-platform, and mobile games are no exception.
Mobile games are often distributed through mobile operators’ websites or apps. Some mobile operators sell games via a third-party portal, while others have their own stores. Until 2008, the mobile games industry remained a marginal form of gaming. However, the rise of third-party mobile content marketplaces – such as Apple’s iOS App Store – dramatically changed consumer behaviour and widened the market for mobile games. By the mid-2000s, almost every smartphone owner had access to a mobile app store.
Another option for mobile game distribution is through advertisements. Several mobile games are free to download and carry ads, including the popular Candy Crush Saga and Flappy Bird. These games use the “freemium” model, whereby players are allowed to access a limited amount of content for free before having to pay for it.
Arcade games are a popular genre in mobile games. These games use real-world environments and combine them with advanced computer graphics to create a virtual environment that players can interact with. These games are usually made for mobile devices with reverse-facing cameras. Players aim the camera at a specific location and the captured area appears on the screen. In some cases, the graphics are animated and can be interacted with, which makes for an interesting and addictive game.
Mobile games are typically played on smartphones and feature phones. Other mobile gaming platforms include PDAs, Bluetooth, and portable media players. These devices are compatible with a wide variety of operating systems and technologies. Apple’s iOS and Microsoft’s Windows 10 are two popular platforms for these games, but other platforms may also be compatible.
While mobile games are free to download, many games are funded by advertising. Some of these advertisements are pop-ups, while others require the player to view them in order to continue playing. The advertisements typically promote other mobile games. They can also be based on the user’s behavior. Fortunately, app stores have family-friendly sections, so parents can set their child’s mobile gaming experience accordingly.