Published on: 10/08/2021

Mobile Gaming Impact on Esports

New Generation of Players and Fans

The mobile gaming industry has seen a massive boom in recent years, with revenue around $100bn last year. It is no wonder that mobile platforms are becoming more prevalent.
Due to the rise of mobile gaming apps, it has become easier for gaming companies to compete globally. However, this is expected to only accelerate as more people start using mobile platforms.

Mobile esports is set to transform the industry forever. In 2019, it witnessed over 600 percent increase in viewership. It further accelerated in growth in 2020 due to the pandemic. Mobile gaming is transforming the way games are played and consumed. Through the power of portability and accessibility, it is empowering new audiences and players.

Mobile has a larger gaming population than both PC and consoles. In China, for instance, mobile players outnumber those who use the PC. Unlike on other gaming platforms, mobile games are played by every demographic group. This is evidenced by the gender split of gamers, which is almost equal.

Imagine a venue that offers something new and immersive that is already built-in to enhance the atmosphere. Live streaming can also be incorporated into game applications, allowing players to experience the spectacle in one place.

Next-generation mobile gaming events will surely create an immersive environment that draws in fans and players alike.

New Opportunities for Partners

Due to the rapid growth of the esports industry, mobile events are becoming more valuable to sponsors. As smartphones become more specialized, events will become a stage for manufacturers to promote their products. While events are typically the hub for monetization within esports, mobile gaming has the opportunity to democratize this process.

The creation of a complete mobile gaming platform will allow players to experience monetization opportunities across all of their gaming interactions. Esports platforms will enable gaming companies to generate revenue from their fans through sponsorship and advertisement, not just during the tournament. The democratization of esports will encourage more people to enter the industry, creating new opportunities for investors.
Other panelists included representatives from various esports organizations in Southeast Asia. This includes Riot Games, Vietnam’s Recreation and esports Association (VIRESA), amongst others.

They discussed different creative business models used by the industry to create new jobs and revenue streams. With the rapid emergence of smartphones in countries like India and Brazil, TSM’s mobile gaming strategy makes sense. The player-base for games like Free Fire and Battlegrounds Mobile India indicates that the future of mobile gaming is bright.

What’s Next?

The rise of the online population and the increasing smartphone penetration in the region have created a shift in the gaming mentality. This is expected to continue as the gaming industry continues to gain momentum. With the rapid emergence of esports in Southeast Asia, it is becoming more prevalent than ever before. Its potential is evidenced by the increasing number of players wanting to become professional esports players.

In the future, one thing is sure. Mobile esports, and PC and console esports will coexist. While breaking records, both systems will complement each other, expanding opportunities for gamer and viewer reactions. As an industry, esports is committed to uniting people from diverse backgrounds and providing equal opportunity to everyone.

Though mobile esports is just taking off, it’ll be interesting to see how it will change the gaming world.

Written by Echoga Emmanuel