In the past, gaming was an activity which was restricted purely to console and PC games. Mobile games have been around since the earliest phone however their quality has been increasing rapidly over time. We have progressed from simplistic mobile games like Snake and PacMan to games with impressive graphics and detailed storylines. As a result, the mobile gaming industry has been growing rapidly over the past few years and was valued at just under £1billion in 2016. Aside from the availability of a number of high quality games being available on the market, here’s why mobile games are increasing in popularity.
Re-invention of Classics
Many people find mobile games appealing because there are a number of games which bring to life classics, such as poker, in reimagined forms like mobile video poker. The availability of online and mobile casinos has also increased the number of helpful online strategy guides for new users, like the Ladbrokes’ guide to video poker. This has made it far easier for gamers to try something new, without worrying about not knowing what they are doing. There is also the nostalgia factor to consider. Retro games are increasingly popular among mobile users, with reinvented versions of PacMan and Sonic the Hedgehog taking the mobile platform by storm.
Convenience
Most people own a smartphone these days. This means that they have access to the internet and games at their fingertips anywhere, at any time. Mobile games are a highly convenient and enjoyable pastime, particularly for commuters travelling to and from work. The addictive, and often simple, nature of mobile games means that they are incredibly easy to pick up and put down whenever it suits the player.
Socialisation
Social media has risen in popularity over the past few years. Most of us spend a considerable amount of our days updating our statuses, refreshing our feeds and sharing snaps. The inclusion of social features in mobile games has increased their popularity. You can now challenge your Facebook friends to compete with you in a game or discuss your progress with other passionate players using the in-built chat and forum facilities.
Cost
The major appeal of mobile games is that they are so affordable, especially when compared to the cost of popular console games. A newly released PlayStation Four game can cost as much as £50, compared to a mobile game which costs approximately £2 for a full game. There is also the added bonus of many games available to download from mobile app stores being completely free to play. Plus, the number of new games being created and uploaded onto the stores every single day means that it’s possible for mobile gamers to constantly try out new games without having to pay anything.
These are just some of the reasons mobile games have become so popular in the past few years. In the future, the industry is set to continue to provide innovative and accessible games for a huge audience.