“iphones” (CC BY 2.0) by wolfsavard

When it comes to lifestyle choices, console gaming was once the leisure activity for a generation. From the rise of Nintendo and the iconic Super Mario in 1985 to the first PlayStation (1994) and today’s high-powered Xbox One, console gaming has been a way to while away the hours for years.

Now, when it comes to popular leisure activities, gaming is still big business. In fact, it’s huge. According to Newzoo’s 2016 Global Games Market Report, 2016 will see gamers around the world generate CA$134 billion in revenue. That figure is an 8.5% increase on 2015 and just goes to show that gaming is now bigger than ever.

However, while gaming participation is on the up, the stats also show that interest in console gaming is waning. Last year, console gaming accounted for 30% of the global market, but when the book closes on 2016 the experts predict that this figure will have dropped to 26%. The main reason for the drop-in dominance is, in no small part, due to rise of mobile gaming.

From Happy Bettors to Angry Birds

via GIPHY

Helping to fuel the growth of the mobile gaming market is the casino industry. Looking at Canada specifically, the betting market is currently worth CA$8.1 billion and that’s given rise to a number of mobile casino platforms. Offering everything from blackjack and roulette to slots like Mega Moolah that are capable of dispending CA$6 million+ jackpots, mobile casinos are an interesting new strand in the gaming industry.

Naturally, as more operators enter the space, competition has increased. Fortunately, players can now get a handle on the best online mobile casinos at these independent review sites. Much like Wheels.ca for cars or TripAdvisor for hotels, CasinoQuest highlights the industry’s major players, their latest deals and, importantly, what players can expect from the mobile casino industry in general.

In addition to casino gaming, one of the original mobile games to cause a stir was Angry Birds. Developed by Rovio Entertainment, the game basically involved a series of green pigs and various angry-looking birds. Much like puzzle-style games before it (think Lemmings or Worms), Angry Birds saw players knock down birds and move through levels of increasing difficulty.

Today, the Angry Birds franchise has produced multiple spinoffs, including merchandise and even movies. The result is a company that now generates CA$210 million in annual revenue.

Crafting an Industry for Casual Gamers

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Beyond the idea of reviewing and recommending the best mobile casinos so that players get an optimal experience, operators will soon have to spend time explaining the latest innovations. For example, Pokémon Go has not only become a Canadian phenomenon, it’s given players a glimpse into the future. Augmented reality (AR) is part of the virtual reality (VR) movement and basically overlays a virtual interface onto the world around you.

As impressive as this technology is, it’s something wholly different to what most casual gamers have been used to. In this sense, the general public may need some education going forward. How does the game work? Why is it different? What makes it great? Answering all these questions will not only help to promote any new game, but make players feel more comfortable and, therefore, engaged.

Mobiles Become the New Gaming Consoles

“Nintendo” (CC BY 2.0) by FunGi_ (Trading)

So what does the evolution of the mobile gaming market mean in financial terms? According to the Newzoo report we referenced earlier, mobile gaming will enjoy a 21% year-on-year revenue jump to CA$50 billion in 2017. Moreover, by 2019, mobile gaming will generate CA$70.5 billion and, more impressively, account for 45% of all gaming revenue.

With mobile gaming on its way to becoming the biggest player in the market, more people are now picking up their smartphones for a bit of fun. Indeed, mobile gaming is undoubtedly the future of the gaming industry, but to make it a mainstream the industry needs to tailor its products to casual players. Education and innovation will help this process and, if all goes well, more of us will be gaming on the go in the coming years.