Over the last couple of years, mobile games broke records and made billions in revenue. In 2020 only, the entire market surged by 25% YoY and hit a $95.1bn value. However, as more and more players choose mobile devices to play games, the entire sector will continue growing strongly.
According to data presented by Mejores Apuestas, more than 2 billion people are expected to play mobile games by 2023, a significant increase compared to pre-pandemic figures.
More than Half a Billion People Started Playing Mobile Games Since 2019
There are several reasons why mobile games are the fastest-growing segment of the entire gaming industry. They are convenient, simple, fun and allow gamers to play them wherever they are, which can’t be said for desktop or consoles.
In 2017, more than 1.1 billion people were playing mobile games, revealed the Statista survey. By the end of 2019, this figure rose to nearly 1.4 billion.
Statistics show more than half a billion people have started playing mobile games since then, with the total number reaching 1.8 billion in 2021. By 2023, this figure is expected to grow by another 200 million.
The Statista data revealed that mobile gamer demographics are also changing and evolving. What was true about gamers just a couple of years ago is much different now. Around 55% of mobile gamers in China and the United States, as the two leading markets, are aged between 18 and 34 years old. Millennials or people aged between 25 and 44 make approximately 24% of all users in these two mobile games markets.
However, statistics show the two largest mobile gaming markets globally have around 20% of users aged between 45 and 64 years, more than much younger Gen Z members, or those aged between 18 and 24 years.
Mobile Games Revenues to Touch $138B by 2023, a 25% Increase in Two Years
Besides impressive user base growth, the mobile gaming industry also witnessed a huge revenue increase, especially after the COVID-19 struck.
Between 2017 and 2019, revenues jumped by 31% to $75.9bn. Last year, when millions of people turned to mobile games amid the COVID-19 lockdown, this figure surged to $95.1bn and continued growing.
Statistics show the global mobile games industry is forecast to hit a $109.6bn value this year and then jump by another 25% to nearly $138bn by 2023. By, 2025 the entire market is forecast to hit over $160bn value.
As the two leading markets, China and the United States, are expected to generate around 56% of total revenues that year.
