Mobile games — especially those with a multiplayer component — are making more money than traditional handheld games, says a new report by mobile analytics agency, App Annie. The company partnered with the International Data Corporation to show the growth in mobile gaming over the past year, and how it’s skews toward mobile and multiplayer gaming.
Poor console makers; they hardly knew what hit them. While they still have life in them, and the games tend to be deeper and of a higher quality, it seems as if most gamers would rather just play on the device they already have with them; their iPhone or iPad.
Consumer spending in the mobile gaming arena is growing by leaps and bounds, while mobile gamers are spending more time and more money on multiplayer mobile gaming than ever before. Even Nintendo, a holdout in the race to mobile by big console companies, partnered with multiplayer mobile gaming juggernaut DeNA recently to bring its iconic characters like Mario, Link, and Pokemon to mobile devices.
Photo: App Annie
Ouch, right? iOS App Store game consumer spending grew around 30 percent and Google Play game spending grew a whopping 50 percent between 2014 and 2015.
Compare that to the flat sales growth of traditional handheld gaming devices like Sony’s PS Vita and Nintendo’s 3DS during the same period. No wonder they’re looking for new ways to make money.
The report defines online multiplayer as “any game that includes features by which player’s gameplay materially and directly affects the gameplay and in-game outcomes of another player,” which includes real-time multiplayer games like Vainglory as well as asynchronous title like Clash of Clans.
Still, the report shows a significant increase in consumer engagement as well as spending with these types of games.
“Among the Top 50 mobile games,” says the report, “multiplayer games accounted for ~60% of consumer spending despite only contributing ~30% of downloads in 1Q15.”
That’s a lot of spending across a fewer number of downloads. Not bad if you’re the ones making the games being downloaded onto smartphones.
Source: App Annie
Rob LeFebvre is an Anchorage, Alaska-based writer and editor who has contributed to various tech, gaming and iOS sites, including 148Apps, Creative Screenwriting, Shelf-Awareness, VentureBeat, and Paste Magazine. Feel free to find Rob on Twitter @roblef, and send him a cookie once in a while; he’ll really appreciate it.
8 responses to “Smartphones blow away traditional handheld gaming devices”
Thats so sad… I cant believe people actually prefer playing on mobile phones rather than on a dedicated console! Its like preferring masturbation via skype video over actual sex!
Im worried that at some point we may end up without good gaming platforms. Touch screen sucks :(
It’s a matter convenience. You always have your smartphone with you. Carrying around an additional mobile device just for gaming adds logistical challenges. You can, say for example, leave a mobile gaming device in the bathroom but you’d likely stick with your phone since it offers more.
Masturbation may also be a matter of convenience. Yet… is it the same? Is it even close to sex? ;)
Lets be frank. Games on mobile devices either require no dynamic controls (chess, cut the rope) or they simply suck*. Im very worried that producers switch completely to phone games and fill them with ridiculous “freemium” elements.
*)I understand there might be exceptions. Till now i have seen 1.
That’s why phones also support controllers/ game pads now.. Phones are sure replacing them and its just a matter of time.
Not in my house.
Oh hey Mutombo
I don’t know if I’d say people “prefer” the mobile platform, I think people are lazy. I have a landline phone, a rMBP, a Vita, PS3 & 4, an Apple TV and a 42″ LCD. BUT despite knowing that ever single one of those things is better at their individual functions than my 6 Plus, I’ll often use the one in front of me because I’m a pretty normal north american male. I would never say that any game on my phone could take on a game from my Vita though. Playstation in any form is leagues ahead of any phone or tablet out there. I hope they don’t give up anytime soon.
Also if I look at the graph, it’s from 2014Q1 and 2015Q1. The first quarter of the year always tends to be the worst as regards to game sales. Kids are still playing the games they bought / got for Christmas.