Sensor Tower predicts that global mobile market spending will grow at an average annual rate of 12% over the next five years. This implies that the rise in mobile game users could be a cause for concern for gamers and developers alike. On the one hand, the sheer number of game users will inevitably affect the way players are treated in the mobile game industry and make it difficult for game developers to monetize their games. On the other hand, new mobile game platforms such as AR/VR and smartphones with multiple sensors and operating systems might make gaming on mobile platforms different to the traditional console and PC gaming. Let’s take a look at the most prominent transformations and shifts that the mobile gaming market is going through.
#1 – Games as a Service
“Games as a Service” is becoming an increasingly popular model for the development of mobile games, and this will be something that will continue to grow in 2022-2023. In games as a service, you get access to the full game as soon as you download it, with no need to pay upfront. The game is only charged as you play, and you can always try it before you buy. Games as a service can be an extremely attractive option to consumers as they don’t require you to make any upfront decisions about the cost of purchasing the game. It’s another step towards an always-on approach to the gaming industry. Predictably, games as a service will continue to dominate the mobile market. By the end of 2023, games as a service are expected to generate upwards of 80% of mobile revenue. These are expected to reach $32.8 billion by 2023, compared to $24.1 billion in 2017. It’s important to note that the current market share of mobile games as a service is actually much higher as many people use their mobile devices to play mobile games instead of dedicated devices like tablets and PCs. As gaming on mobile devices continues to improve, games as a service are set to become a huge source of income in the market.
#2 – Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is one of the game-changing technologies in the industry. As we know, augmented reality (AR) refers to the merging of the digital and real world. It is an overlay that makes the digital world more real and available to users. In other words, augmented reality immerses a player into the game to the fullest, thus enhancing the gaming experience. Although the use of AR for gaming may be limited at the moment, the future is bright because technology is advancing quickly. The use of AR solutions in the gaming industry impacts the gaming industry by changing how game design is done, as new features and new kinds of social interactions become possible.
#3 – Virtual Reality
When it comes to the latest technology trends, Virtual Reality will be a main contender in the future. And it is definitely here to stay for a very long time. Why? There are many reasons. To start with, Virtual Reality (VR) already has a very big fan base. So people are already into VR gaming. The number of VR games is increasing with each passing day. But this trend will just keep getting stronger and stronger. It is definitely a sure-shot trend, and there will be no looking back! With the introduction of VR, we can now “feel” we are present in a video game. The development of VR came about from virtual reality gaming, which was used to treat people who were unable to move from their homes. VR games have evolved to the point where we can now play 3D, multi-player, and online games all within VR, and that’s just amazing. If you are a fan of VR solutions, we have good news for you – PS VR2 will arrive early next year. So you have a unique chance to bring your mobile gaming experience to a whole new level.
#4 – Hand Gesture Recognition Technology
For the past few years, there has been a very big topic in gaming that is almost the next step in gaming evolution: hand gesture recognition. In the past, there were only so many games you could play, like “Mario.” But recently, thanks to new tech, the gaming world has been getting more than 100,000 titles. Hand Gesture Recognition Technology (HGRT) is quickly taking over the gaming world by allowing for better navigation, gameplay, and just more fun. There are two main types of HGRT in the world, which are touch-based HGRT and motion-based HGRT. Touch-based HGRT works by tracking your finger touches with the hardware. It’s basically what you use to interact with the screen. This allows you to know where you are, how far you are, etc. You can use this in games and pretty much any app. Motion-based HGRT works by tracking your hands or hands plus other appendages, such as a face. It’s mainly used for navigation in games. This allows you to use gestures to navigate through menus, find items, select them, etc. It’s just more immersive and fun to use this instead of just using your controller or a touchscreen. If you are tired after a long gaming session and want to relax a bit, then you can always download movies and TV shows on Netflix.
Wrapping Up
The digital mobile app market has always been one of the most competitive industries. Developers are constantly coming up with new apps or features that are built to make it easier for you to find, download, play, and enjoy top-level gaming products. But mobile developers always stay one step ahead and come up with different strategies and techniques to take over mobile apps. And the above high-tech solutions are expected to transform the entire industry.
