In this pivotal Spring 2024 edition of "The Xsolla Report: The State of Play," Xsolla delves into the evolving dynamics and innovations shaping our industry, emphasizing the burgeoning realm of mobile gaming. 

This edition spotlights mobile gaming, the fastest-growing segment, and underscores its significant influence on the gaming landscape. Mobile games continue to break barriers, connecting diverse audiences across the globe. Contributions from thought leaders like Mariusz Gąsiewski and Mukul Arora provide in-depth perspectives on these trends, heralding a vibrant future for mobile gaming.

Trends in mobile gaming

• Continued growth of the mobile gaming sector. The mobile games sector has developed rapidly over the past 8 years, fueled by the meteoric rise of smartphone penetration. The number of smartphone users quadrupled from 2014 to 2023, reaching an impressive 4.2 billion worldwide. Notably, 39% — i.e., 1.9 billion users — are mobile gamers, and this number will continue to grow, reaching 1.85 billion by 2027 (including 221.5 million users in Europe). (Source: Statista)

• Mobile gaming is the cornerstone of a growing cross-platform landscape. Titles like Genshin Impact and Among Us exemplify the shift, successfully bridging the distance between cellular and conventional gaming structures. Games that offer players a cohesive experience on smartphones, tablets, and PCs are progressively considering how to satisfy their audience in the years ahead.

Mariusz Gąsiewski, CEE Mobile Gaming and Apps Lead at Google

• Mobile games’ market share, in 2023, and across all genres, was 49% worldwide. While console and PC games represented 29% and 22%, respectively, compared to mobile games. (Source: Newzoo) 

• Social media contributes to the growth of cross-platform gaming. Features like live streaming, sharing gameplay clips, and influencer partnerships with gaming brands and platforms all contribute to the trend. In the US alone, 84% of consumers engage with video games and virtual worlds and at the same time, 96% engage with social media and video-sharing platforms. (Source: Newzoo) 

To read the full analysis of the Digital Markets Act and its impact on gaming and full versions of the interviews, download the Xsolla Quarterly Report, Spring Edition.

Mobile’s surge is echoed in industry events worldwide, as evidenced by Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. This year’s conference welcomed over 100,000 attendees, more than 2,700 exhibitors, sponsors, and more than 1,000 speakers, thought leaders, and subject matter experts.

Mukul Arora, Co-Founder Appsoleut Games

What does this mean for the game industry?

The long-term viability of cross-platform gaming hinges on seamless mobile integration. Developers are acutely aware of mobile's growing clout within the gaming landscape. By prioritizing mobile support and creating unified gaming experiences across consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, they will shatter the limitations of traditional cross-platform play.

Looking ahead, cross-platform mobile gameplay undoubtedly holds the key to shaping an even more welcoming gaming industry where access for everyone means more players can enjoy more titles and the joy of gaming transcends yesterday’s limitations.