By the end of 2023, mobile gaming revenues are projected to exceed $173 billion, amassing a user base of approximately 2.3 billion players, accounting for more than 50% of the global games market. Despite its continued long term growth, recent events have made it increasingly difficult for most mobile developers to monetize, with user acquisition costs skyrocketing following consumer privacy changes announced by Apple in 2021. So, while the ecosystem still shows signs of future growth, that growth curve is flattening considerably, leaving many developers to wonder if their best opportunities for growth are already behind them.
The good news is that they don’t need to look very far for platforms they can leverage to expand the reach of their existing mobile titles. Browser gaming is showing its staying power, moving beyond the days of Flash gaming and now leveraging technologies like WebGL to run games that in many cases are on par with native titles. The value of the browser game market is expected to reach $9.1 billion by 2026, attracting a dedicated player base of around 1.8 billion gamers.
The adaptability, and lasting charm of browser-based gaming will make it a platform of note in the gaming industry's diverse ecosystem for years to come, opening up untapped potential for mobile game developers and publishers to distribute their games on the web.
1. Distribute risk across markets
In the fast-changing gaming world, where player preferences and market conditions can shift quickly, a diversified strategy is an important safety net for game makers. Game trends change, and gaming platforms evolve, so relying on a single platform or market creates a risky, single point of potential failure.
For the mobile industry, challenges like rapidly rising user acquisition costs and intense competition for visibility in a sea of nearly 500,000 games present more than enough justification to venture outside the app store walled gardens. Diversifying game distribution across additional platforms like desktop web browsers can ensure a more consistent game revenue stream. It also unlocks a massive audience of more casual gamers, presenting huge potential upside for player growth.
In addition, because there are over 5.3 billion internet users, web browser technology is the most mature platform on the planet, with a roadmap of improvements that will continue for decades to come. Most major consumer services are accessed on the web, and nearly every business oriented software package also has a cloud-based version. Just as these industries have migrated to a web-first model, so will the gaming industry over time.
2. Building player communities
In today's gaming landscape, community building thrives on the web, encompassing a multitude of activities that engage players and enthusiasts alike. From influencer marketing and streaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube to the vibrant discussions and fan-based content found in Reddit pages and online forums, the web has become the epicenter of gaming camaraderie. Bringing mobile games to the web allows players to play and share on the same device, while giving developers an opportunity to embed social media channels directly into their browser games for a fully integrated experience.
3. Seamless cross-platform transition to web
Getting started with web game distribution can be a bit puzzling. Communicating with existing players and driving them to a second platform can be tricky. Most importantly the player experience of moving from one platform to the other has to be friction-free.
Pley has developed a solution that offers players a seamless and instant transition between their mobile and web gaming experiences. Imagine starting a game on your smartphone during your commute, then picking up right where you left off on your computer browser when you get home.
This not only provides players with convenience and flexibility, it also opens up exciting possibilities for developers. It encourages players to stay engaged with their game throughout their day on multiple devices, potentially boosting in-app purchases as their play time increases.
In conclusion, the mobile gaming industry's recent transformation has unveiled a unique landscape of opportunities on the web. Building a diversified distribution strategy is not just a choice; it's a necessity for mobile game publishers and developers looking for growth in this dynamic environment.
In this ever-evolving gaming ecosystem, diversification is not just about adapting to change; it's about thriving in it. By embracing a diversified distribution strategy, mobile game publishers and developers can manage the risks of offering their game on a single platform, while exploring growth opportunities with new users who are looking to play great games throughout their day on multiple screens.