There was a time when console games ruled the world. Thanks to iconic offerings such as Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog and Street Fighter, anyone with a penchant for virtual action would flock to the nearest games console and while away the hours.
However, as with all things in life, preferences change and people move on. Now, we’re not saying people don’t play console games anymore. What we are suggesting, though, is that consoles don’t hold a monopoly over the gaming world like they used to. In fact, this isn’t just our opinion – it’s a fact. When you scan through the latest list of figures, mobile gaming is now the proverbial king or queen of the castle.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Yes, much like Mario was able to dethrone Bowser and become the most famous plumber in the world back in the 80s, mobiles are now the most popular medium for gaming entertainment. According to research by SuperData Research and Unity Technologies, mobile gaming revenue topped $40.6 billion in 2016. This figure was up by 8 percent on 2015 and, aside from matching global movie box office sales, it was the highest earnings in the games industry.
Following this report, Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report, published on April 20, 2017, showed that “mobile is the most lucrative segment” with 19 percent year-on-year growth (April 2016 to April 2017) suggesting that revenue will hit $46.1 billion this year. In contrast, Newzoo expects console gaming to generate $33.5 billion in annual revenue for 2017. Of course, whichever way you slice it, the gaming industry is booming, but there’s no doubt mobile games are leading the way.
So, if we accept that gaming on the go is now the way forward (quite literally), the question is: why? Well, as you’d expect, there are plenty of reasons. One of the most obvious reasons is exemplified by the mobile casino industry. For a game to be truly engaging, it needs to have elements of drama, tension, and uncertainty. Nowhere are these more obvious than in a casino game such as roulette or slots.
Mobile Casinos Show Why Gaming on the Go is Popular
Unsurprisingly, once you throw mobiles into the mix and give players the power to enjoy a Vegas-style experience in the palms of their hands, you make this sort of drama instantly accessible. Take, as an example, the mobile casino site by 32Red. The first thing to note is that you’ll get more than 100 games to choose from. Unlike traditional console games where you have one way to play, mobile casinos allow you to try everything from slots and blackjack to live dealer games.
In addition to this amount of choice, each game in isolation is also entertaining. For instance, you only have to look at something like Game of Thrones slots and it’s easy to see why players love mobile casino games. Aside from offering jackpots worth thousands, the game features clips and images from the hit TV show. In fact, what’s really interesting about mobile casino games is that you can play them for free. Because gambling now appeals to a wide variety of players, operators understand that some people just want to play for fun.
With this in mind, free play casino games are now offered by the top mobile operators. This, in essence, makes mobile games even more like console titles. Because players don’t actually have to pay to play, the focus is on entertainment rather than money. So, if we look to Mr. Mobi or Lucky Admiral, these mobile casinos also offer free games for iOS and Android such as Doubleup Ducks and Spectra.
More Reasons to Play via Your Mobile
On top of this, you’ll also find that mobile casino sites/apps have bonuses. For those that actually do want to play for real money, operators will give them something extra each time they make a deposit or place a bet. So, if we go back to the 32Red mobile casino, you’ll find that new players get 10 credits free for creating an account and then 32 credits extra for every 10 they deposit.
These financial incentives aren’t something you’d find in the console gaming arena and, in some respects, it’s why mobile casino games have the edge. When you think about it, casino options like blackjack have all the ingredients you’d want from a game. As we’ve noted, they’re dramatic, entertaining and, if you’re that way inclined, require an element of skill. Additionally, you can play many of the latest games for free.
Finally, if you do want to play for real money, you not only have the chance to win some cash but get something extra in the form of bonuses. When you combine all these attributes with the fact you can play anytime, anywhere, it’s easy to see why mobile casino games, moreover, mobile gaming as an industry is on a high.
Does this mean the end for console games? Certainly not. However, it won’t come as a surprise if we see mobile games get an even tighter grip on the industry over the next few years. Indeed, you only need to look at the Nintendo Switch to see how consoles are now starting to morph into mobiles. Regardless of how things evolve, one thing is certain: gaming is better than it’s ever been and that’s great news for us.