The video gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in entertainment and it continues to grow year on year. Advancements in technology have made games more immersive and accessible than ever and not secluded to just one console alone. However, while video games and consoles have developed over the years so too has mobile technology. Gone are the days where phones might just be used for calls, texts, and taking photos. New mobile devices now have a range of games at their disposal through the Google Store and the iOS App Store.
Following the explosion of technological advancements, smartphones are now being used more than ever for games and many other activities. Although console gaming is in a league of its own, it’s nevertheless still important to recognise the device advancements and mobile games trends in 2021.
In-depth entertainment with console games
When you think of console games, the most popular devices right now are Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation, and Microsoft’s Xbox. With the new PS5 and Xbox Series X recently released, gamers are fast buying new consoles to play the latest games that are available to play on them. Right now, some of the best games for PlayStation 5 include Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Even old game franchises are still remaining to be popular on newer consoles, such as Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Hitman. While the first games in the series were released the late 1990s/early 2000s, these franchises are still proving to be well-loved by fans with recent game releases such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 and Hitman 3.
Consoles have been around for decades and have come to dominate home entertainment like nothing else. What makes console gaming so great is that the consoles are easy to use, allow for multiplayer action, and may often be relatively inexpensive compared to gaming PCs or high-end mobiles. Software quality these days is unreal, especially when paired with big HD televisions. Players benefit from a range of games and high-quality gaming is now key for successful games, so developers continually look at new ways to push the technology.
For casual gaming on the go, mobile is king
Despite the numerous plus points consoles provide, the future is undoubtedly starting to be dominated by mobile technology. With consumers needing to do many activities on the go and from wherever they might be, smartphones and tablets are becoming a lot more popular devices. Rather than being confined to the home to play on consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, gamers can play some of their favourite games on their commute, outside, and wherever they might be in the house. They do not need to spend time setting up controls or logging into a console or PC.
Mobile games have come a long way since Snake on an old Nokia mobile phone. Now, games such as Call of Duty Mobile, Pokemon Go, and Hearthstone are some of the most popular and best free mobile games to play right now on devices. With companies like Apple constantly releasing new phone models each year, with bigger screens, graphics, and longer battery life, it’s clear to see how gaming is fast becoming even more popular on mobile. According to recent data, mobile gaming is continuing to rise with a significant percentage of users downloading games on their phones. By next year, it is predicted that android games will be accountable for 56% of all mobile game revenue.
The gambling industry was also quick to spot the opportunities of mobile gaming and now many operators are providing mobile apps for their slot games. Some of the best all time favourite slot games from game developers like Microgaming, IGT, and NetEnt, are available to play on mobile devices. Highlighted by New Free Spins No Deposit, games like Starburst, Book of Dead, and Mega Joker, are just some popular slots available for adults to play.
So who’s the winner?
While the fundamental limitations of mobile gaming are smaller screen size and less processing power, it still leads to one of the key areas customers are looking for right now – accessibility. Many free and paid mobile games can be downloaded in seconds, wherever there is internet access. Players get the accessibility and ultra-convenience of mobile gaming whenever they like, during a break, on the train, or waiting in a queue. Alternatively, it’s hard to beat console gaming for exciting home entertainment, whether that’s solo play, online, or amongst friends. The growth of the video gaming industry shows no sign of slowing any time soon, and this can only be good news for avid gamers, no matter their preferred device.
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