As everyone very well knows, the pandemic changed the world as we know it. Bound to our homes and masked everywhere we go. Our favorite stores closing and the purchases of Peleton bikes rising. But one thing that is not talked about a lot is the effect the pandemic had on the world of technology, and more specifically, the world of gaming.
Well, as it turns out, the pandemic resulted in an increase in demand for mobile gaming. Why? Because when people are locked down in their homes, they are looking for the easiest and most accessible source of entertainment. Not everyone has a console, but in today’s world, most people have smartphones. Which made mobile gaming the easiest and most accessible way to the game, and made it super easy entertainment for people that are endlessly bored during the pandemic. Mobile gaming wasn’t the only platform that did very well during the pandemic. Gaming as a whole thrived. However, even as the world is beginning to open up again, the demand for mobile gaming is remaining the same.
According to a new report from mobile data and analytics provider App Annie and IDC, users worldwide downloaded 30% more games in the first quarter of 2021 than in the fourth quarter of 2019 and spent a record-breaking $1.7 billion per week on mobile games in the quarter one of 2021.
That number is up 40% from pre-pandemic levels, the report said.
Also this year, mobile gaming has increased its lead over PC and Mac gaming to 2.9 times and will extend its lead over home games consoles to 3.1 times.
App Annie also says that as more mobile devices are capable of offering console-like graphics and gameplay experiences, including those with cross-platform capabilities and social gaming features.
What does this mean for mobile gaming? It means it may have the pandemic to thank for its surge in popularity.