Gaming, especially mobile gaming, is continuing its stupendous rise in the entertainment industry. People across the world are playing more online games than ever before. This trend has been accelerated by Covid-19, where people are looking for fun ways and social interactions to spend their free time. In the past year, the overall growth in the number of gamers has brought enormous changes in the online gaming industry. One apparent result of this change is that the gaming industry is earning more revenue than before. As a result, there is a big opportunity for marketers, game developers, and even users. If you want to capitalize on this space, you need to be fully informed about relevant statistics and trends.
Mobile Gaming Trends in 2021
Let’s start with eye-catching facts, which are expected to provide impetus to mobile gaming in the year 2021.
Trend 1: More Cross-Platform Games
Current trends indicate that gaming content is becoming device-agnostic. More and more gamers want to play multi-user, high-fidelity games, such as PUBG and Fortnite on their mobile phones. However, they still anticipate similar quality. In all probability, this trend will advance in 2021 also, supported by the emergence of cloud gaming and ongoing 5G rollout. Moreover, premium gaming experiences are also expected to be rolled out on mobiles. All this would push the growth of Asian mobile games as well.
Trend 2: More Social Play with Good Connectivity
Other areas that will provide benefits to online gaming are the continued push of 5G and cloud gaming rollout. It has been estimated that by the end of 2022, there will be 1 billion 5G smartphones. This growth is expected to rise in 2021, with half a billion users buying the latest 5G smartphones. The high bandwidth, low latency, and high speed of the 5G network will enable complex mobile games to run flawlessly on the go.
According to the latest survey, 57 percent of frequent users played multiplayer games. Furthermore, they spent seven hours a week playing with their family and friends online. 54 percent of respondents said that this social gaming assisted them in staying connected with friends and family during the Covid-19 pandemic. With the introduction of the 5G network making it easier to stay connected with others, irrespective of the location, expect the trend of online games to grow throughout 2021.
Trend 3: Augmented Reality Online Gaming
The power of augmented reality (AR) to improve the real-world environment of gamers through blending it with virtual objects and characters lends itself superbly to mobile gaming. The quality of augmented reality mobile gaming is improving, and a large number of smartphones can use either Google’s AR Core or Apple’s AR Kit for AR-based mobile games. Also, with the rise of cloud gaming and 5G, a seamless and wonderful AR mobile gaming experience will be one step closer. The perfect combination of 5G and cloud will also bode well for Top Malaysia Online Casino mobile games. This combination will enable smooth and faster real-time processing of data-laden AR for users. In addition, it will help to bring more immersive and complex AR mobile gaming experiences.
Trend 4: Gametech will Fuel Mobile Gaming
New developments and technologies in the Gametech ecosystem will strengthen the online gaming industry. Game engines like Unreal and Unity will improve their products. They will empower more developers to produce engaging products. Leading gaming companies around the globe will continue to merge film and music with virtual game worlds in 2021, ushering in a new period of innovative mobile gaming experiences.
Trend 5: Social Features will Rise
With the app stores getting saturated, finding new ways to retain gamers longer is a priority for developers. In 2021, expect to see many online games, from hardcore to casual, integrate social mechanics such as in-game chats, activity feeds, push notifications alerting users of invites or mentions from friends, among others.
Trend 6: Apple’s AppTracking Transparency (ATT) Will Push UA Managers to Adapt
Apple’s latest privacy guidelines, which prevent undesirable user-level tracking by providing gamers more control over the data, will push UA managers to alter their approach. ATT is one way through which the software giant will implement these changes.
Trend 7: Focus on Mobile-First
In 2020, the online gaming industry shifted its focus to being mobile-first. Game studios that usually focused on making the only console and PC games are putting their efforts into developing mobile titles. You should see this shift continue in 2021 also, with mobile gaming expanding at a greater rate than console and PC.
Trend 8: Rise of Premium Mobile Gaming
The last few years have witnessed mobile games moving away from casual games to hardcore-focused games that generally take place on console and PC. Users are seeing AAA gaming properties being incorporated in mobile games. This trend will continue in 2021 with gamers looking forward to experiencing these high-fidelity games.
Trend 9: Gaming Being Visualized as a Spectator Sport
Over the last few years, esports has been expanding with established leagues and tournaments featuring the top gamers of the world. 2020 saw the progress in mobile gaming as a spectator sport with a large viewing audience. Market experts believe that this trend will expand in 2021 with considerable esports revenues for Asian mobile games.
Trend 10: Reduce Unnecessary Costs and Change the Operating Model
More mobile game companies will try to simplify the existing operating model in 2021. These companies will improve their current game development processes, resulting in more efficiency. This will allow them to decrease unnecessary operating costs. Catering to a large number of gamers with increased efficiency will preserve and grow the business of mobile gaming companies.
Final Words:
2020 was a good phase for the mobile gaming industry. More people played mobile games than in previous years. 2021 is expected to be even better, with the online games market set for more growth. By analyzing the industry’s trends, developers, shareholders, and gamers are expected to experience increased revenue and a splendid gaming experience in 2021.
