Source: Unsplash
Fresh insights from GlobalData suggest that the mobile gaming market will continue to thrive for the remainder of the decade. Despite console-based and PC gaming both suffering from cost-cutting measures by even the biggest game developers and publishers, mobile gaming appears to be going from strength to strength.
Despite the likes of Sony missing their profit and sales expectations earlier this year and console and PC gaming revenues projected to remain below their pre-pandemic levels by Newzoo, the mobile gaming market remains on a tear.
So much so that GlobalData’s new Thematic Research: Mobile Gaming report for 2024 suggests annual revenues will rise from £98bn in 2023 to £155bn by 2030. This represents a 58% increase in seven years.
Statista also believes user penetration to native app-based and web application-based mobile games has reached 40.1% this year and this will reach 46.5% by 2029. The mobile gaming market is said to be prioritising “immersive storytelling” and “community engagement”, according to Statista. With that in mind, what types of mobile gaming are most popular among Brits as we approach 2025?
Puzzle and brain game genre
Source: Unsplash
Offering a fusion of mental stimulation and entertainment, puzzle-based and brain training games make for a popular segment of the mobile gaming market. Aimed at those looking to relax and unwind on their daily commute or even challenge themselves to get their brains working, there are many popular mind-bending apps or titles right now.
Bejeweled is one of the longest-standing mobile puzzle games. Bejeweled 3 was unleashed in recent months, bringing a new wave of features and enhancements, including objective-oriented gameplay. There’s also Lumosity which has become one of the best-known brain training apps on the market, with exercises and games underpinned by scientific research to improve your cognitive skills.
Bingo genre
According to Statista, in-person bingo has been on the decline in terms of turnover since 2010. Across main stage, mechanised and prize bingo games, turnover has fallen sharply from over £1.3bn in 2009-2010 to just over £710m in 2022-23.
The rise of online bingo rooms has played a big part in the diversification of bingo turnover in the UK. Many of the leading bingo hall operators have designed and built their own online bingo apps to deliver bingo games to any mobile device. The best bingo app options go further too, with the opportunity to play online jackpot slots, as well as online scratch games. It’s a bingo hall experience in the palm of your hand.
Battle Royale genre
For those who want to immerse themselves in some intense gaming action on the go, the Battle Royale genre is also a hit with mobile gamers. According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Battle Royale gaming market will be worth a staggering £9.11bn by the end of this year. That figure is set to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 9% between now and 2031.
The most notable Battle Royale titles on mobile are PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Warzone. The beauty of these titles is that they offer console-style visuals and gameplay on smartphone and tablet screens, making the genre more accessible.
This trio of niches are leading the charge for engaging and accessible gaming on handheld devices, with plenty of headroom for further expansion.
