Forecast: Mobile gaming to top $6B by 2010
A new study issued by market intelligence firm iSuppli forecasts the number of mobile gamers will reach a global total averaging 134 million users per month by 2010, more than tripling the 38 million average measured in 2005. That growth corresponds to revenues of $6.1 billion by 2010, up from $1.8 billion two years ago. iSuppli credits the spike to heavy adoption of gaming-capable wireless handsets and services, particularly in the Chinese and Indian markets--the firm says low-priced casual games will remain at the forefront, although operators should not dismiss multiplayer titles, location-based features and related bells and whistles.
"With more games, better-quality games and increased consumer awareness, mobile gaming has become a prime opportunity for the title publishers, along with the entire wireless handset value chain," iSuppli VP of multimedia content and services Mark Kirstein said in a prepared statement. "In the coming years, expect to see mobile games that leverage multiplayer capabilities and 3D graphics. The emergence of games with these advanced features will further expand the market."
For more on the study:
- read this release
Comments
Pursuent to my old grip about the UI being part of the reason for low US take up on premium mobile servives, it is interesting to note in this study that they found issues to include (i) Difficulty in finding games through service menus
(ii) Complexity of downloading the games
(iii) High data fees and lack of cost transparency
and (iv)with the lack of a common UI and standard..The cost and complexity of developing games compatible with a wide variety of mobile phones.

