Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past ten years or so, you’ll be fully aware of the emergence of the modern-day smartphone and the dramatically improved gaming options which have come with it as a result. Put simply, gaming on a mobile phone has never appealed as much as it does today.
Gone are the days when Snake and Tetris were the only gaming options on chunky Nokia devices which resembled bricks, instead being replaced by powerful and sophisticated smartphones which are capable of housing a range of different gaming products, from augmented reality titles like Pokemon Go to console-quality releases in the shape of Fortnite. The options don’t end there either, with casino gaming registering big numbers too. Betway have just launched a casino app in the US, for example, with its diverse range of games enabling players to win real money while having fun and entertainment along the way. These types of games accompany the puzzle releases and brain training games which also are in high demand.
Before the emergence of the modern-day smartphone and the subsequent rise in mobile gaming, desktop gaming was the preference for many. For some, the bigger screen and more powerful product which was offering excellent visuals was never going to be rivalled by a miniature handheld device. How wrong they were, though. Smartphone gaming has catapulted itself up the gaming charts and is now one of the most popular ways in which people game. But how has it got there? What are the main factors which have contributed to mobile gaming overtaking its desktop rival?
The portability factor
Desktop gaming is ideal for an indoor gaming session. Smartphone gaming, on the other hand, provides gamers with a portable gaming option which can utilised both indoors and outdoors. For example, the aforementioned Pokemon Go features augmented reality technology which tasks its community of gamers with playing the game outside. The more Pokemon Trainers walk, the more Pokemon they are likely to catch and the more gyms they can take down.
A truly immersive experience, games like Pokemon Go can’t be enjoyed via a desktop. On top of this, mobile games are designed to be picked up and put down throughout the day, therefore tempting casual gamers to play them in the process. Someone who is late to the party with gaming altogether is far less likely to jump straight into a detailed console release over a quick and less daunting smartphone title. As such, mobile gaming appeals more to a wider audience. For many, the idea of playing a complicated desktop product simply doesn’t appeal either, be it due to the time it takes or the difficulty the more detailed desktop games tend to offer.
Affordability
It’s no secret that desktop gaming is extortionate these days. That alone is enough to put the vast majority of people off it, but even more so when they’re made aware of the experience on offer through a smartphone device too. The fact is, most of us own a smartphone in today’s technology-based world which has opened up smartphone gaming to people in the process. Whether you’re on iOS or Android, the options available in both the App Store and Google Play are massive and they aren’t expensive either. Most games are either cheap or free to play altogether, with some titles offering in-game purchase options. Compared to desktop gaming, it certainly won’t break the bank.
Console-quality games
We have touched on it already, but given the notable improvements made in modern mobile phones has come a better offering from games developers. Developers are even taking the time to release the smartphone version of games simultaneously with the console version of games. We’re seeing additional gaming accessories too, such as VR headsets and joysticks. Titles like Fortnite and PUBG have made a successful transition over the mobile gaming world in what is an increasingly common trend.
