As a platform, mobile has transformed the landscape of the gaming industry, with millions of players drawn towards action on the small screen — many of whom come from outside the traditional video gaming demographic.
Studies show that millennials dominate the mobile gaming market, with over 80% playing games on their mobile devices, while 70% report playing games every day. A major factor behind this trend is social play, as millennials gravitate toward games that allow them to connect, compete, and collaborate with others in real time.
This outshines surrounding generations by some margin, and makes millennials a key driving force behind the overall success of the industry.
So, what factors are behind these eye-opening stats? And what, exactly, are millennials playing on their phones and tablets? Let’s find out.
Mobile Gaming is Spreading Worldwide
Mobile gaming is popular all over the world, and the figures more or less follow those of video gaming in general.
With over 400 million players, China dominates the market. This is followed distantly by the United States, where over 170 million players reside.
Other countries where gaming is popular on mobiles include Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and many European countries.
While there are globally popular games such as Among Us, PUBG, and Call of Duty, each market tends to have certain titles that are more popular than others, depending on gamers’ habits.
What Makes Mobile Gaming So Attractive?
Mobile gaming is reaching its zenith in terms of popularity. Key drivers behind this include the accessibility offered by mobile devices, the convenience of being able to play on the go, and the wide range of games now available.
The diversity of titles spans all traditional gaming genres, such as RPGs, first-person shooters, sports games, and strategy games, as well as mobile-first games, some of which have taken the world by storm such as Pokemon Go.
The game was globally popular, with fans in Brazil, India, Mexico and Russia, but by far the most Millennial gamers playing were from the United States.
This title not only provided hours of fun, it also used the enhanced augmented reality (AR) capabilities of our powerful smartphones and tablets to take the action to a whole new level.
AR may be rolled out more widely, as well as virtual reality (VR), and is making itself known in such spheres as online gambling, though this is in its infancy.
Online Casinos: A Thriving Gaming Genre (and a Whole Industry)
Speaking of which, one of the most popular gaming genres, especially in the mobile market, is online casinos, where social play has become an integral feature.
The industry has taken the world by storm, currently worth an estimated $70 billion worldwide, with millions of millennial players drawn in by exciting game choices and generous bonuses.
Online gambling is wildly popular in many countries across the globe, such as the USA (where only seven states have it regulated), the UK, many European countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, which is in the process of regulating the pastime.
Top New Zealand operators such as SkyCity now offer amazing options like live games, where players can interact with live dealers and croupiers, making bets in real-time, utilizing the video streaming capabilities of the powerful devices we carry with us in our pockets.
Slot machine games are also wildly popular, and these come with myriad themes, cutting-edge graphics, and advanced gameplay options.
All this means a more immersive experience, which has proven to be attractive to millennials, who make up the bulk of players logging on.
Millennials Have Very Defined Gaming Habits
Mobile is the predominant platform being used for gaming across emerging demographics, including Gen Alpha and Gen Z. But while 73% of the former and 69% of the latter make mobile their gaming preference, Millennials outshine them, with an incredible 90% reporting mobile as their chosen platform.
It’s clear that gaming is a significant form of entertainment for Millennials, possibly as they have grown up with video games and carried that passion with them into adulthood.
Millennials may also have more disposable income to spend on games, and the stats here are quite interesting too. The average spend reported by Millennial gamers on gaming content is $112 per month, according to a new report from gaming research company SuperData.
Millennials are also likely to engage with video streaming content related to gaming, and to make donations to streamers to the tune of $22 per month.
Social Play: A Crucial Element for Millennial Gamers
Mobile gaming has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry, revolutionizing how people engage with video games.
The convenience of gaming on smartphones and tablets has made it easier than ever for players to dive into immersive experiences anytime, anywhere.
With a vast array of genres and innovative features, mobile games continue to attract a diverse audience, reshaping the global gaming landscape.
Another factor that draws in Millennials is social play. This is a generation that saw the rise of social media as a global phenomenon, and game developers are keen to incorporate social aspects into their titles.
Games that focus on cooperation, such as massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, are among the most popular with Millennials and the wider demographics, as well as battle royale games that pit players against each other, either as teams or individuals.
Mobile gaming also provides an opportunity for players to get to know each other, forming communities with shared interests (in gaming at least).
Millennials represent the largest segment of the global gaming demographic. Attracted by the thrill of innovative mobile games, along with the convenience and accessibility that mobile gaming offers, this age group is driving the growth of the industry.
