If there is one tech market that has exploded in recent times, it is the mobile gaming sector. This should hardly come as a surprise, especially when you consider recent developments in hardware and the advanced operating systems that now underpin them.
While this growth may be expected, however, its extent has surprised even the most knowledgeable of technology experts. This is supported by several industry statistics, each of which offers an insight into its evolution and thriving popularity.
With this in mind, here are three mobile and remote gaming statistics that are sure to surprise you in 2015.
Female Players are now the Dominant Gaming Demographic
Although video games were once considered a predominantly male pastime, that is no longer the case thanks to the rise of mobile gaming. Recent research by Newzoo and Google Play reveals that almost half (49%) of mobile gamers are female, with a significant number of women aged 10-65 in the United States (65%) engaging in mobile gaming. Interestingly, there is a clear correlation between smartphone penetration and the number of female mobile gamers in the United States.
This trend is not limited to the United States; the United Kingdom ranks as the 6th biggest mobile gaming market globally, with 49% of both men and women in the country playing mobile games. Even smaller markets such as Norway are seeing significant increases in female mobile gamers, with 51% of female respondents reporting that they play games on their smartphones, compared to just 26% of male respondents.
It is worth noting that these figures are based on self-reported statistics, and the actual number of mobile gamers is likely even higher when considering other types of games such as brain teasers and puzzles. While these types of games may not be viewed in the same light as more traditional mobile games like Angry Birds, they are still very popular among mobile gamers.
Gamers are now older and have greater Financial Resources
On the topic of diversification, the emergence of mobile casinos has also had an impact on the typical gaming demographic. Not only are the majority of modern gamers female, for example, but the average age of players has soared to 34 across all platforms. This suggests that today’s range of mobile sites where users can play roulette online tend to appeal to an older and more sophisticated audience, who have higher levels of disposable income and enjoy having the flexibility to choose how and when they spend this capital.
The Remote Gaming Market is set to achieve $182.8 Billion by the end of 2015
The value of the remote gaming market has climbed significantly in recent times, and it is set to reach a staggering $182.8 billion. While this includes all types of remote gaming, the continued growth of social and mobile platforms is the key contributor to such an inflated value. It is also interesting to note that relaxed online gaming regulations are creating more of a global marketplace, with spending up in locations such as Europe, Asia, and the U.S. This means that the sector will grow at an even more pronounced rate in the next five years.