Why Do More People Favour Mobile Gaming Over Console Gaming?

In 2019, the mobile gaming segment accounted for 45% of all $152 billion in gaming revenue.  This was an impressive $68.5 billion for mobile gaming, of which $59 billion came from smartphone games.  Console gaming accounted for 32% of the total market, generating $47 billion. These numbers confirm that mobile gaming has become the preferred platform for gaming by people the world over. Why is mobile gaming more popular than console gaming?

Smartphone Ownership 

It is estimated that almost half of the people in the world own a smartphone. That is approximately 3.5 billion devices. It is a huge number, and it is still growing as more teens buy their first phones and more adults switch from feature phones. A good smartphone costs as low as $150, and the price is going lower even as smartphones become increasingly powerful.

The smartphone has become an entertainment device by default. Most people will pull out their smartphones when they want to pass the time.  Console gaming is not widespread because consoles have remained a luxury item. The PS4 starts at $290, while the latest PS5 starts at $440. 

Free Games 

Android has revolutionised the gaming platform with its open platform, where anyone can develop and upload an app for other Android users. There are approximately 6,000 game apps uploaded to Google’s Play Store every day. This free game availability has encouraged more users to try them out and eventually become avid active mobile gamers.

Cross-platform development tools have made it easy to develop games that run on iPhone’s iOS, Android, and PC. Interestingly, many free popular games are developed for the PC first, then mobile, and the console. 

Online casinos are a good example. Most are designed to run on mobile and PC but not so much for the console.  A lot of gaming platforms are actually accessible on both. For example, all of the best online casinos can be accessed on mobile and PC.  All of them can be downloaded free of charge.  But there is not a single online casino available on consoles.  

Console games are still too expensive for many people around the world. The average price for PS4 games, for example, is $35. 

Social Gaming 

More free games are available on Facebook. Social gaming has pulled many people into trying out many of the free games like slots and CandyCrush.   Many people become interested in these games because they are invited by their friends to play. The average Facebook user spends at least 38 minutes daily on the app, which has boosted mobile gaming numbers. 

Convenience 

Mobile gaming has one major advantage over console and PC gaming, which is portability. The most portable notebook is still too big to fit into a pocket. The PlayStation Portable never really took off because it was too bulky and pricey.

Smartphones can be carried anywhere. You can play your favourite slot games while queueing at the store or waiting for a job interview. It has become a 24/7 play anywhere personal entertainment centre.

The availability of high-speed internet in many parts of the world has also boosted mobile gaming.  You will find a smartphone owner playing a quick game of Fortune Free slots on Facebook while hiking in remote New Zealand.  

Unlimited internet data packages are also keeping mobile phone owners on their games for longer. Multiplayer mobile games like Clash of Clans have gained global popularity because fans can keep playing for longer with low data charges. It is unlike console multiplayer gaming, which requires high-speed bandwidth that is very expensive or often throttled. 

Friendlier User Interface 

Mobile gaming is intuitive and easy to learn. Even feature phones used a maximum of four buttons for gameplay. The touchscreen has changed gaming with its simple tapping and swiping moves.  You can learn to play any mobile game in a few minutes.

Playing on consoles and PC is more difficult than on mobile.  You have to memorise key moves and combinations for gameplay.  Most people will take a few sessions to get a feel for the PlayStation console. The PC is more challenging to play, with games having over 15 key controls plus the mouse. 

Higher Specs

Mobile gaming is no longer sluggish with poor graphics. The latest smartphones carry top of the range specs, e.g., 16GB RAM, which can support any High Definition game.  The iPhone’s retina display makes playing any game very enjoyable. 

Mobile gaming is going to the next level with 3D graphics, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality experiences. The mobile platform is the gaming platform of the future.