It has been a little over 50 years since Spacewar, recognized as the first video game, was created by computer programmers from MIT. While Spacewar wasn’t easily accessible for the average person to play, it ran on a $120,000 computer, it was the springboard for one of the most exciting and profitable industries.
From there, gaming started to evolve and become mainstream, from Atari to Nintendo and Sega Genesis to the PlayStation and X-Box. Video game spending has jumped from $2.6 billion in 1998 to $24 billion in 2014, and the numbers have only risen since then.
Technological Advances
One of the largest contributing factors to the nearly 20 billion dollar jump over the course of 16 years can be largely attributed to the popularity of mobile gaming. According to the Pew Research Center, over 50% of adults carry a smartphone giving them access to all the latest games and apps.
Advances in technology have also been a crucial factor to the increase in popularity that mobile gaming is experiencing. Smartphones and tablets are being built with HD screens, faster processors, touch screens and the ability to connect socially with other players.
Ease of Access
One of the fasting growing industries, within online gaming, is the online casino. Players have really taken to playing their favorite casino games on their mobile phones. Most online casinos sites allow players to download and play their favorite games, for real money or for fun, on their phone. The animations are so slick, the cards seamlessly move around the board and the online slots games spin with precision, that players don’t feel the need to stick with the “old fashioned” desktop versions.
One major advantage that mobile gaming has over its early predecessors is the ease-of-access that they present to their consumers. With console or PC games, it usually involves making an expensive purchase; most mobile apps offer their players a free version. They are making their money either by locking certain levels unless you purchase the game or selling accessories that will help a player out. This marketing strategy has been successful because it gives the payers the confidence to play the game, and once they see how great it is, they are more comfortable dropping a few dollars whenever needed to advance in the game.
The Future is Bright
Virtual reality is the next frontier that mobile gaming is planning to conquer, and based on the early results, it will change gaming as we know it.
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