We’re around halfway through 2020, and it’s been quite a year for mobile game apps. Many of us have more time on our hands in these unprecedented circumstances, and so mobile games are becoming more popular than ever. As a way to pass the time, stay entertained, and to keep idle hands and minds busy, nothing can beat a phone game.
Even the World Health Organisation agrees that gaming can be a healthy social activity that promotes mental wellbeing while we have to remain apart. Safe to say that mobile game apps are enjoying a real moment in the spotlight. In fact, March of this year was the best ever month for global mobile game downloads.
Android and iOS Downloads
The latest numbers are in, and show a big variety of game types in the top ten for both iOS and Android users. Proving that every kind of person enjoys mobile games, the popular titles range from strategy, skill and puzzle games to soothing simulators, not forgetting shooters, racing games and multiplayers.
Number one on the download list is none of these things, however. A brand new title for 2020, Slap Kings has taken the world by storm and is proving to be the latest addictively popular game to hit our mobile screens. The virtual slapping contest is free, fun and undemanding, and many players find this the perfect game to get them through periods of boredom and isolation. The simplicity of the game may not be enough to hold a player’s attention for very long, so its long-term popularity is not guaranteed.
Voodoo are known for their quirky and inventive casual game apps, and their titles have also been doing well recently. With three games in the top ten – Woodturning, Draw Climber and Spiral Roll – the French game developers are certainly riding high in 2020.
Gaming with others while we are stuck at home is also a great way to stay connected, so it’s unsurprising that the mobile version of PUBG is climbing the charts, two years after its initial release. Players are also turning to puzzle games and brain teasers to stay sharp, and Unico Studio’s Brain Test is the iOS number three download, putting it in ninth place overall.
Mobile Casino Apps and Live Casino
While they may not feature in the top ten, mobile casinos also offer a great deal of entertainment and boredom relief. The World Series of Poker app from Playtika is free for both Android and iOS users, and it includes a social option that allows you to hold a remote poker night with other players. The perfect solution to keep your poker skills sharp and have some fun with your friends until you can meet again.
They may be opening up again very soon, but casinos have been closed for quite some time now. During this long period of closure, more and more people have been discovering the joys of PC and mobile live casino games. If you’ve never heard of live casino, there’s never been a better time to learn what it’s all about.
In a live casino, players interact with a real dealer or croupier via a mobile or PC screen, recreating the experience of playing at a real casino all from the safety and comfort of your own home. The dealers work from a special studio, and the live HD feed renders the game in a crystal-clear image to your device.
Not only that, but players can chat with the dealer and even with each other as they play. It really is the ultimate way to play table games at a virtual casino. Market-leading live casino suppliers Evolution Gaming have reported a surge in interest in recent months. Considering that it may be a long time before we feel secure to gather in public places, it looks very likely that live casino will remain in high demand.
Game App Predictions 2020
There’s no denying that a global crisis that requires people to spend more time alone has been a boon for the mobile gaming app industry. Mobile already has the largest market share across all gaming platforms, and the jump in demand since the start of the year has put it even further ahead.
Even with the gradual easing of restrictions on socialising, the second half of 2020 looks set to continue the upward trend of game app downloads. The one genre that seems likely to suffer is location-based app games such as Pokémon Go, which has had to make some fast adjustments to accommodate the changed circumstances.
We will probably also see an increase in the number of new titles from both big and indie developers, as app creators rush to take advantage of the leap in demand. Expect to discover many new hyper-casual mobile games, building on the success of those released by Voodoo and other similar studios. One thing is certain – 2020 will be the best year yet for game apps.
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