The prospects for mobile gaming are still bright. Newzoo’s projections indicated that the global games market as a whole would generate nearly $197 billion in 2022. Mobile, which accounted for more than half of the market, was the primary driver of this expansion.

Even though it is now more difficult to stake a claim on the ever-expanding mobile gaming market, there are still opportunities for market expansion and growth. The following are predictions and trends to keep an eye on as 2023 begins to help new players stay ahead of the game.

1. Pay-to-play games, blockchain games, and Web3 will require developers’ attention.
From blockchain gaming to the metaverse, a brave new world of mobile gaming emerged before our eyes in 2022. When it comes to mobile gaming, players now have more options than ever before. With Web3, communities of people can use tokens to build new digital platforms and ecosystems where they can trade with each other, including the mobile gaming space.

Although blockchain gaming and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are still in their infancy and have their critics, it opens up new opportunities for game developers to begin considering the direction of their gaming platforms and the question of whether or not their design will be able to support the integration of new technologies in the future if player demand increases.

2. Mobile gaming may demonstrate resilience in the face of a possible recession.
Additionally, Newzoo stated that “gaming boasts more choice and convenience than ever” and that, “even more so than in previous times of economic turbulence,” the market for video games is “recession-proof” to some extent.

Developers of mobile games should carefully plan their strategies and ensure that in-game advertisements do not interfere with gameplay. Additionally, you might want to think about expanding the payment options available for your product to boost the purchasing power of users.

Cross-platform and multi-country strategies, which can result in expanded customer acquisition and reach, should also be taken into consideration by game developers who want to increase their success rate and competitiveness in the global mobile internet era.

3. The gaming industry may continue to be disrupted by women.
In the past, it was frequently assumed that gamers were mostly men. That is no longer the case, as women’s interest in gaming continues to rise. According to Newzoo’s research, women make up nearly half of the gamers in the United States, and women gamers are more likely to play on mobile devices. This presents a significant opportunity for game developers to improve the adaptability and personalization of their in-game mobile strategies.

Game designers need to keep in mind that women and men may have different requirements for mobile games. A game’s design or genre can make it more appealing to female players. According to one Forbes contributor, female gamers in the United States appear to “play for achievement and social reasons, to engage socially and maintain relationships.”

In addition, despite the increased number of female mobile gamers, women are still underrepresented in game development. Game publishing companies can work with organizations that help women gamers empower the next generation of mobile game developers and promote diversity and inclusivity within their teams to even out the gender gap in the gaming industry.

To attract today’s gamers, game developers should identify and address several considerations for the remainder of 2023.

Credit: Forbes