by Gaming and smart phones seem to go hand in hand. There are few people who have a mobile device that don’t have at least a few games installed, and you’ll often see people playing video games in places that you’d never have expected to see them in the past. Understanding why these games are such a huge part of on-the-go culture really requires looking at what makes them so attractive to busy people. Mobile games tend to check the boxes needed for people who are very busy to enjoy them – and for those same people to keep playing them even when there are other entertainment options available.
Portability
The first, and perhaps most important, factor in determining why these games are so popular has to do with portability. Ever since phones were made with the minimum processing ability for simple games, these games have exploded in popularity. They haven’t had to be particularly good or deep – they’ve just been able to be played on the go. There’s something to be said for gaming that can fit in one’s pocket, especially when it only requires the hardware that most find necessary for daily life. Portability has made gaming a key part of on-the-go life in a way that’s hard to match.
Inexpensive
In addition to being portable, mobile gaming is unexpectedly cheap. While there are plenty of games that have a hefty price tag, most of the most well-regarded games on mobile platforms are available for little or no cost. When people make an investment in a game, they might often feel like they have to set aside time to play it; when they get a game for free, it’s much easier to pick up a game and set it down as time allows. Free games have done more for mobile gaming than almost anything else.
Captivating Play
While the games might be cheap, they’re nonetheless geared for captivation. Most mobile games allow people to accomplish something entertaining even if they can only be played during a short break. One can, for example, spend time building a powerful empire in Final Fantasy XV without having to give up a whole lunch break. Most online games function on a principle of giving gamers a way to get immediate rewards, even if the reward isn’t particularly flashy. Since so many people are looking for immediate gratification as they go through a busy day, these games will continue to occupy an important niche.
Easy Mechanics
Finally, mobile games provide a kind of easy entertainment that’s hard to match elsewhere. As television shows and movies continue to demand more of their audiences, it’s become tough to find a way to just turn off one’s brain and have a bit of mindless fun. Mobile games don’t necessarily require much thought on the part of the player and most of the mechanics are easy enough for a novice to pick up within a few minutes. This kind of valuable, thought-free entertainment helps people to decompress while they are on the go. Whether this is done on a long commute or in between meetings, it provides a rare moment for users to really relax.
Why are mobile games so important? They’re cheap, they’re portable, and they make people happy. Simply being able to accomplish that is enough to secure them a place in the overall entertainment landscape. As long as these games are developed for the platforms people have with them, users will flock to games. Games and mobile devices have something of a symbiotic relationship, so expect games to be a huge part of mobile culture for many years to come.
