👨🏼‍💻Mobile Gaming News — September 2023 Newsletter
Welcome to the September 2023 edition of Mobile Gaming News! 🎊
In this issue, we’ll delve into some of the hottest topics in the mobile gaming industry. From Unity’s CEO transition and pricing controversy to the influence of female gamers in the market, gaming’s dominance in the app world, Apple’s push into premium gaming, and the exciting fusion of PUBG Mobile and Tesla, there’s a lot to uncover. So, let’s dive into the latest stories shaping the mobile gaming landscape.
📰Unity’s CEO Change and Pricing Controversy
In a recent turn of events, Unity, a leading game development toolmaker, shook the gaming industry by introducing a contentious change in its pricing model known as the “Unity Runtime Fee.” This decision triggered a wave of discontent among game developers, both large and small. Unity’s CEO of nine years, John Riccitiello, retired from his position, leaving the company with a pivotal leadership change. Jim Whitehurst stepped in as the new CEO, bringing a background from diverse industries, including leadership roles at Delta Air Lines and Red Hat, a renowned open-source business. His appointment signifies Unity’s ambition to become not only a game software development platform but a versatile digital solution provider across various sectors.
While Unity founder David Helgason played a crucial role in addressing the controversy, it remains unclear why he did not take on a more prominent role in resolving the issue. The Unity Runtime Fee has left a significant mark on the gaming world, serving as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and understanding the gaming community’s needs and concerns. This transition highlights Unity’s broader vision to expand its services beyond gaming, positioning itself as a platform for diverse industries, from automotive to entertainment.
You can find the details of the news here.
đź“°The Influence of Female Gamers in the Mobile Gaming Industry
The mobile gaming industry stands out for its diverse and inclusive player base, with over 50% of mobile gamers being women, who also contribute nearly 30% of the sector’s total revenue. Genres like otome (dating sims), idol, and decoration games have traditionally been favored by female gamers, consistently ranking among the best-selling and most-downloaded titles, as indicated by Sensor Tower data.
In 2021, games preferred by women reached an all-time high in revenue from in-app purchases, surpassing $17.6 billion, with continued success in 2023, generating over $11.2 billion in revenue from January to August, and a full-year projection exceeding $16 billion. The USA notably boasts female gamers as high-value customers, with mobile games favored by women accounting for $5.5 billion in revenue between January and August 2023, equivalent to 46% of the total. In Japan, these games contributed 17% of the revenue, amounting to $1.5 billion. Puzzle games have proven especially popular among female gamers, representing 48% of the revenue in the USA and 39% in Japan.
You can find the details of the news here.
đź“°Unity Dominates Mobile Gaming Landscape
Unity, a prominent game development toolmaker, has left an indelible mark on the mobile gaming industry. More than 71% of the largest mobile games rely on Unity’s software development kits (SDKs), firmly establishing its presence in the gaming ecosystem. Additionally, data.ai’s research underscores Unity’s significance, revealing that over 50% of the top 100 revenue-generating mobile games are constructed using Unity, making it a key player in the sector.
Nevertheless, Unity’s recent introduction of the “Unity Runtime Fee” pricing model has stirred controversy, raising questions about its legality and inciting protests from developers. The removal of the platform’s terms of service has only exacerbated these concerns, emphasizing the need for Unity to address these issues to maintain its standing in the industry. Unity’s influence transcends the scale of developers, as data.ai’s analysis shows that 53 out of the top 100 revenue earners in mobile gaming are powered by Unity’s engine, contributing to an estimated $16 billion in consumer spending in 2023. This figure represents over half of the total consumer spend on the top 100 games this year and underscores Unity’s pivotal role in shaping the mobile gaming landscape.
You can find the details of the news here.
đź“°Gaming Dominates App Market Growth Worldwide
Marketing insight firm Adjust’s research reveals that gaming stands as the top-growing category in the app market with a significant score of 53.5, outpacing shopping, the second-fastest category, by more than 10 points. The Asia Pacific region anticipates a mobile gamer population of 1.37 billion by 2027, solidifying gaming’s potential for expansion.
While gaming ranks third in growth in APAC, behind travel and shopping, it remains promising. Europe also sees gaming as a strong contender, although it’s ranked third in growth behind shopping and travel apps. In Latin America, gaming is the fastest-growing app category, with revenues reaching $2.24 billion in 2022 and an expected $3.4 billion by 2026. Notably, North America is a gaming stronghold, with 42% of American adults playing mobile games for at least an hour each week.
You can find the details of the news here.
📰Apple’s Foray into Premium Gaming with iPhone 15 Pro Series
Apple has once again raised the bar in the mobile gaming arena with its forthcoming iPhone 15 Pro series. Packed with the formidable A17 Pro hardware platform and an overhauled graphics architecture capable of hardware-accelerated ray tracing and cutting-edge MetalFX-powered image reconstruction, Apple is making a substantial move to lure premium game publishers. This strategic push includes the introduction of native ports for iconic console and PC titles. Gamers can anticipate the arrival of acclaimed games like Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Capcom’s Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding on iOS. This endeavor aligns with Apple’s vision to dominate the AAA gaming landscape on mobile.
Significantly, Apple’s timing is strategic. In August 2023, Qualcomm unveiled its high-end portable gaming vision powered by the G Series silicon, capable of comparable graphical prowess, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing and image reconstruction. While Qualcomm faces the challenge of securing support from influential game engines like Unity and Unreal, Apple’s direct control over iOS positions it as a formidable contender. The battleground for AAA gaming on mobile is heating up, and Apple’s latest hardware innovation promises to be a game-changer in the industry.
You can find the details of the news here.
📰Console Prices on iOS Games: “Resident Evil 4 Remake”
The iOS release of “Resident Evil 4 Remake” priced at $59.99 challenges traditional mobile gaming norms. With console-equivalent pricing, this title could shift perceptions about mobile gaming quality. The game’s performance will determine the viability of this AAA-to-mobile model.
You can find the details of the news here.
đź“°PUBG Mobile Joins Forces with Tesla: A Gaming-Electric Fusion
PUBG Mobile has embarked on an exciting partnership with Tesla, the renowned American electric car manufacturer. This collaboration promises to infuse the gaming realm with Tesla’s revolutionary spirit and innovative products, although the precise details have yet to be disclosed.
While the specifics remain shrouded in mystery, there’s anticipation that PUBG’s Battle Royale will feature a selection of Tesla’s iconic cars, such as the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. Notably, Tesla recently unveiled the Tesla Model S Plaid, boasting the title of the world’s fastest electric sedan. With this in mind, gamers can expect the exhilaration of Tesla’s cutting-edge electric vehicles to make a grand entrance into the PUBG Mobile universe.
You can find the details of the news here.
Conclusion🔚
Mobile gaming continues to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide. With Unity’s changing leadership and its influence on the industry, the growing impact of female gamers, the remarkable growth of gaming as an app category, Apple’s ambitious foray into premium gaming, and the intriguing partnership between PUBG Mobile and Tesla, the mobile gaming landscape is more vibrant than ever. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the world of mobile gaming, and until next time, keep gaming on the go!
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