Gaming is a massive global market and with great reason. From consoles such as the game cube to the more modern names like Xbox and PlayStation, there are consoles and games dominating the trends of this market. Gamers were drawn by the pure processing power and graphic capabilities of these cutting-edge machines.
However, the rise of the smartphone has had a transformative effect on the gaming market that few people could have predicted. Today, people are more likely to access their favourite games, such as online casino Ontario, Call of Duty, Tetris, and more, via their mobile phone.
What is gaming on the go?
While consoles remain popular, mobile gaming is the preferred choice for a number of different generations. The 2016 global hysteria that followed the release of Pokémon GO – a game that used GPS and smartphone cameras to place virtual Pokémon in real-world locations, heralded the arrival of gaming on the go.
Gaming on the go is the practice of playing video games on portable devices, such as handheld consoles, tablets, and smartphones. Players see it as a convenient and accessible way to enjoy their favourite games, anytime and anywhere they want.
With gaming becoming such a powerhouse industry, it has opened new doors to new gaming innovation, careers and communities.
Transformative technology
The mobile gaming boom is ultimately being driven by the advance of ever more powerful technology. The key technologies and factors at play include:
Powerful Smartphones: Modern mobiles are constantly evolving, and many of the latest models feature high-performance processors capable of playing graphic intensive games that would not previously have been possible. High-resolution displays and longer lasting batteries are key elements.
Smartphone Saturation: Smartphones have become part of people’s daily lives, so much so, that living without one now seems unthinkable. This uptake has softened attitudes to gaming and broadened the customer base for mobile games.
Handheld game consoles: It is not only smartphones that are driving the on the go gaming boom. Advances in technology has seen an increase in hand held devices available for players to purchase. The most recognisable name in the space is currently Nintendo, who recently followed up the success of their Switch console, with the launch of Switch 2. This console offers players better graphics, an impressive 1080p display and a host of immersive and graphically impressive games.
Other notable hand-held consoles:
- Steam Deck OLED
- Asus ROG Xbox Ally X
- PlayStation Portal
- AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme
- LENOVO Legion Go S
Reliable Internet Speeds: The rollout of faster, more reliable 4G and 5G networks has been crucial to the success of mobile gaming and smartphones themselves. A reliable, speedy connection allows players to enjoy real-time gaming experiences without worrying about lag or buffering issues.
Cloud Gaming and Streaming: Services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming use cloud computing to allow the streaming of console quality games to mobile phones. This means mobile users can access a whole host of popular power-hungry titles that were previously unable to run on their devices.
Cross-Platform Play: The last few years has seen a growth in cross-platform gaming, giving on the go gamers the ability to play with friends across multiple different devices, including consoles and PC. It has also opened up certain platform specific titles to a wider audience, and encouraged more people to use their mobile devices to play games.
Mobile Monetization: Many mobile games are free to download and play from an app store, although they do feature in app purchases or adverts to make money. This “free” model allows people to play games at no cost to them, while also allowing game designers revenue streams to invest and innovate in mobile games.
Advantages of on-the-go gaming
As well as the above reasons, there are several other factors at play in people’s decision to choose mobile gaming over home gaming. These include:
Convenience: The biggest and most obvious factor at play here is mobile gaming’s convenience, allowing gamers to play anywhere and at any time they choose. With leisure time at a premium in today’s world, the ability to fit gaming into busy schedules is a big win for many.
Portability: Handheld devices and smartphones are designed to be lightweight and small enough to fit into bag or pocket. Therefore, unlike home gaming, players are not tied to a specific room, giving them flexibility around where and when they play.
Cost: Home consoles are expensive pieces of kit, especially when controllers, speakers, games, chair, lighting and a TV are added to the equation. However, most people already own a smartphone which means there’s no initial outlay or cost. Many mobile games are also free-to-play, lowering the barriers to entry when compared to home consoles.
The future of handheld gaming
With no official announcements on potential launch dates for new gaming consoles from Xbox and PlayStation, handheld gaming consoles and smartphones look set to dominate the market. As technology continues to improve and costs drop, the future of portable entertainment has never been more promising.
