Looking ahead to 2024, the mobile gaming industry is set for significant growth, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviours. Over the last few years, the pandemic has accelerated this growth, with more people starting to play mobile games for entertainment and to kill boredom while spending more time at home.
The mobile gaming industry is rapidly evolving, with innovations emerging in response to factors like changes in player behavior post-COVID and privacy policies like Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT).
In 2024, the mobile gaming market is expected to generate substantial revenue, with businesses projected to earn $386.50 billion. This growth is fueled by the increasing number of mobile game users, which is expected to reach 2.32 billion by 2027.
To succeed in this competitive market, businesses must stay updated with the latest gaming trends and incorporate them into their mobile game development process. This ensures their games remain relevant and appealing to players, giving them an edge over the competition.
Let’s dive into some of the most expected mobile gaming trends for 2024.
What are the best mobile gaming trends for 2024?
Let’s dive into some of the most expected mobile gaming trends for 2024.
1. Cross-platform gaming has become a favourite among players
In 2024, cross-platform game development is becoming one of the most popular trends in mobile gaming, where players can easily play their favourite games on different devices with the same account.
It’s great for socializing because friends can play together no matter what device they use, making the gaming experience more connected. Games like Minecraft and Fortnite started this trend, and now more games are joining in.
This is good news for developers because they can reach more players and make more money. It’s all about giving players the freedom to play wherever they want, making gaming more fun and accessible for everyone.
2. Use of Artificial Intelligence for a more realistic game experience
AI is increasingly being used to enhance creativity and operational efficiency in game development, which makes it the most sought-after technology for mobile gaming in the coming years. It is revolutionizing mobile gaming in several ways. It adapts gameplay difficulty to match players’ skills, ensuring a challenging but fun experience.
Additionally, AI also controls characters in the game to make them act more real. AI also controls characters in the game to make them act more real.
Moreover, AI analyzes player data to provide insights for game design optimization and personalized experiences. Whether it’s suggesting what to do next or making the game more exciting, AI makes mobile gaming more fun for everyone.
3. Hyper Casual vs Hybrid Casual: What is going to stay in 2024?
In 2022, the mobile gaming industry saw a major shift as downloads of hypercasual games declined, marking a 24 per cent decrease year-over-year to 2.7 billion. This trend was influenced by factors such as rising user acquisition costs and changes in monetization through video ads.
Amid this decline, while the hypercasual product model faced a significant decrease in downloads, many developers and publishers turned to the hybridcasual product model as a potential solution.
The rise of hybrid casual is expected to persist in 2024, as these games offer various monetization options by combining in-app purchases and interstitial ads. This helps developers overcome challenges such as shorter retention, decreased ad impressions, and monetization issues with hypercasual games.
4. Subscription-based gaming (Netflix games) is the next big thing in mobile gaming
Netflix games and similar subscription-based models represent the upcoming trend in mobile gaming. Netflix has entered the mobile gaming market with a bang, focusing on their Exclusive Access games, which are available only to subscribers. This approach taps into Netflix’s massive user base of 260+ million, allowing developers to prioritize engaging storytelling without worrying about monetization.
In 2022, Netflix’s gaming catalogue saw major success, generating 24.6 million downloads. Titles based on their hit series “Stranger Things” dominate, with “Stranger Things: 1984” and “Stranger Things 3: The Game” topping the chart with millions of downloads each.
With the recent expansion into game streaming services on TVs and computers, coupled with rumours of potential in-app purchase integration, Netflix is poised to make a notable impact in the casual gaming market in 2024.
Also Read: How to make money with your website/app In 2024?
5. Social interaction-based gaming has become a need
The rise of online digital games is shaping a more social gaming experience, with players increasingly interacting while playing. Recent surveys indicate that many young people, especially Gen Z and Millennials, prefer socializing in games rather than in person.
This trend is increasing the developers’s focus on adding more social features in 2024, where players can interact with friends through features like social media integration, voice chat, and in-game events.
Mobile games, which previously lacked these communication features compared to PC and console games, are now catching up, with two-thirds of the top 50 mobile games offering communication tools such as in-game chat and cooperative modes.
This change is happening because players want to talk to each other more while playing, like in games such as Call of Duty: Mobile and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). These features aren’t just for fun; they also increase player satisfaction and provide monetization opportunities to the developers.
6. User-generated content is enhancing the gaming experience
User-generated content (UGC) is believed to be a major trend in mobile gaming in 2024 because of its social nature and ability to deepen player engagement. UGC allows players to create and share content, enhancing the gaming experience and increasing community interaction. UGC in mobile gaming brings several key benefits:
Firstly, it keeps games fresh by offering new content, meeting players’ desire for variety. Secondly, it makes games stand out by offering unique and customizable experiences, attracting players looking for something different. Thirdly, it helps developers make money through in-app purchases and special features, ensuring the game’s long-term success.
Overall, UGC is changing mobile gaming by making it more engaging, distinctive, and profitable, shaping the future of gaming experiences on mobile devices.
7. HTML5 games are the future of online gaming
HTML5 games offer a range of benefits for both developers and players. They can be played directly in web browsers without the need for additional downloads, making them easily accessible across different devices. These games are cost-effective to develop due to their open-source nature and come with pre-made tools for faster creation. They also use fewer resources and support various monetization methods such as in-app purchases, subscriptions, and ads.
H5 games are becoming increasingly popular due to their cross-platform support, accessibility, and efficient development process. They facilitate social interaction and community building through integration with social media platforms and real-time data tracking.
HTML5 games provide an engaging and interactive gaming experience while offering many opportunities for revenue generation, which makes them one of the most trending mobile game development options in 2024.
One of the best platforms for playing HTML5 games is MGL games, which includes a variety of fun games. The best part about these games is that you can play them in your web browser without downloading anything. Some of the most popular games on this platform include Bubble Shooter, Earth Hero, Cricket T20, Fruit Slash, and Don’t Crash.
Also Read: Why HTML5 is considered as the future of online gaming
8. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are still in the game
Mobile gaming is set to become even more immersive with the integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the coming years. These technologies enhance the gaming experience by overlaying digital elements in the real world. In 2024, we can expect a significant surge in the adoption of AR and VR technologies, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in gaming.
Since Pokémon Go, there hasn’t been a big hit in mobile AR games. Peridot, which looked promising in 2023, didn’t do well because its gameplay had issues and it pushed players to spend a lot of money. But this shows there’s room to make AR games better.
Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, is trying new things. They’re working on a system where players get rewards in AR games, hoping to make more money. Even though they’ve had some failures, their game Monster Hunter Now has done really well, with over 10 million people downloading it in the first month.
Conclusion
Overall, mobile games play a significant role in modern lifestyle, offering entertainment, social connection, cognitive stimulation, and revenue opportunities for businesses. Mobile gaming in 2024 is full of exciting new trends that make games more fun and immersive.
As the industry continues to evolve, being innovative is really important for success. Looking ahead, it’s clear that the future of mobile gaming in 2024 is bright, promising endless opportunities for developers and players to explore, create, and connect in the digital world.
