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There are some interesting trends emerging in mobile gaming technology. According to Sensor Tower’s latest report, “The State of Mobile Gaming 2023,” some surprising trends are emerging in Asia, Europe, and the United States. There are many different factors that contribute to mobile application downloads. Today, we’ll take a look at some of the emerging trends in mobile gaming technology.
One of the most notable changes in recent years has been the decline in hyper-casual game downloads. Hyper-casual game downloads dropped significantly in 2022 (-18% YoY). Meanwhile, casual mobile game downloads fell 5% over the same period. However, hybrid casual game downloads increased 13% YoY. These trends are important as they provide a bigger picture for the gaming community.
One exciting development is the growing interest in social casino games. An alternative to traditional gambling-style online casino games, the social gaming arena is rapidly gaining popularity among players. Zynga’s Hit It Rich! is leading the way with a range of titles designed for Las Vegas-style gaming enthusiasts. According to Statista, the social casino games market is worth $6.2 billion, but it is the mobile casino games section that generates the most revenue worldwide. Restrictive measures implemented during the pandemic have led to a significant increase in interest between 2020 and 2022.
Source: SensorTower.com
Initially, social networks such as Facebook launched browser-based social games in 2010. These quickly transformed into mobile games due to the dramatic and unprecedented advancements in smartphone technology. Both Android and iOS devices feature outstanding innovations, including powerful processing technology, unprecedented audiovisual clarity, and smart features. The casual gaming app scene is the fastest growing entertainment space on the web. Statistics show that players of social casino games are more likely to spend money during in-game action than other players. The average in-app purchase in 2021 was $12.28.
Among the trends happening right now, social casino game players are especially fond of Texas Hold’em Poker. This Facebook game generated $88 million in revenue as of 2022, making it the top-ranked gaming app at the time. Players are attracted to strong brands that embody credibility, quality, and diversity acquisition. While many top genres have seen a decline in revenue since 2022, there are some notable exceptions, such as sports and action games. Both categories saw an increase in player numbers.
Future predictions for mobile gaming technology indicate that social casino games will see strong adoption despite the economic slowdown occurring in 2023 and 2024. A notable change in this market is the shift toward a hybrid model, where social casino games such as slots and card games are mixed with mobile genre crossovers. For example, games using slots technology with base-building mechanics are coming into their own. Raid-style player-vs-player features are also rising in the ranks.
These represent an increase in immersion, computing power and optimization, and are a significant advancement in mobile gaming technology. Leading operators in the field understand that this is about more than just a gaming experience; players want to be entertained and engaged. To this end, premier providers have free daily gifts, game guides, daily bonuses, VIP perks, weekly tournaments and special offers at their fingertips.
Source: https://www.statista.com/topics/2965/social-casino-gaming/#topicOverview
When it comes to mobile gaming technology, several notable trends are emerging. Virtual reality and augmented reality are growing steadily. VR and AR offer players fully engrossing experiences, especially in mobile games. Additionally, cloud-based gaming and related technologies are rapidly reshaping the world of virtual entertainment. In parallel, artificial intelligence is enhancing the gaming experience and enabling adaptive gameplay, rapidly driving unprecedented change in the gaming world.
Since 2008, there have been some major milestones in the mobile gaming industry. That year marked the launch of the App Store. This incredible development in the mobile entertainment industry was a game changer. Game development truly exploded, and many indie developers emerged. AI-enhanced gameplay remains a key element in future-oriented design, development, and features. For example, repetitive tasks are automated by AI. But that’s not all. AI improves UX and enhances UI. It now algorithmically generates game content, creates smart NPCs, balances difficulty, and more.
Hand in hand with the growth of AI is the rise of blockchain-based technology for mobile gaming. Cryptocurrency, scarcity, and authenticity are the de facto hallmarks of blockchain-based technology in mobile gaming. Stay tuned, we are at the forefront of a true mobile gaming revolution.
