Mobile gaming has disrupted the gaming industry by offering an alternative to traditional video game consoles and PCs. Statistics projects the mobile eSports market to grow from USD 1.2 billion (2022) to more than USD 5.4 billion by 2030.
This unprecedented growth has been fueled by the convenience of accessing, downloading, and playing mobile eSport games on smartphones or tablets on the go.
So, what’s the impact of mobile eSports on the gaming industry as a whole?
The Growth of Mobile eSports
Internet infrastructure has made it easy for gamers to access mobile games like PUBG Mobile, CoD: Mobile, and Arena of Valor. This has accelerated competitive gaming, bringing players together to compete in familiar games for prize money.
Online casinos are expanding this perspective further by offering eSports betting odds as part of their services. What’s more interesting is the integration of Pay N Play solutions like Trustly into eSports betting.
This has made mobile eSports more attractive as players can place a wager on their favorite eSports team or player at a casino with Trustly. Trustly deposits are secure and the casino approves your withdrawals instantly.
Why Mobile eSports is Becoming Mainstream
Mobile gaming is gaining more attention from competitive gamers and fans alike, and here’s why:
Tournaments
Mobile eSports now boasts an organized structure, thanks to the growing number of tournament organizers. There are several world series and whole-season tournaments that attract top teams and fans.
For example, the M4 and M5 World Championship events attract the best global eSports players, with over 500 million hours of viewership. Other popular tournaments include the MPL Indonesia, PUBG Mobile Global Championship, and the Arena of Valor Premier League.
Apart from these tournaments, the other most exciting eSports to watch to relieve boredom are:
- Dota 2
- Valorant
- The Super Smash Bros Series
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Technology
Technology has been and will remain integral in the development of mobile gaming. Developers are focusing on designing and building mobile game versions that can run on phones and tablets with varying capabilities.
Internet infrastructure like 5G ensures faster speeds when downloading, playing, or streaming eSports games. This is making mobile eSports more competitive and a viable alternative to traditional consoles and PCs.
Accessibility and streaming platforms
Gaming PCs and consoles can cost thousands of dollars, and most games come at an extra cost. This, of course, makes mobile gaming a viable alternative as you only need a smartphone or a tablet to access diverse game offerings (freemium and paid).
With mobile gaming treated as any other sport, you can stream eSports tournaments on Twitch and YouTube. In 2023, the M5 World Championship of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was the most watched mobile eSports tournament with over 500 million views.
The Impact of Mobile eSports on the Gaming Industry as a Whole
The impact of mobile gaming is undeniable—it is attracting millions of players to compete at top levels. To capitalize on these numbers, video game developers are focusing on creating mobile-friendly games.
Mobile eSports has also changed the monetization approach. Unlike traditional consoles and PCs, mobile eSports focus on freemium game downloads and in-game purchases.
Mobile eSports, unlike its traditional counterpart, is not confined to young male players. Mobile gaming attracts a wider demographic, including women, due to its wide variety of game offerings.
Overall, mobile eSports has fueled a healthy competition. This has broken the PCs and consoles’ monotony, creating room for innovation and higher prize pools.
The Future of Competitive Gaming
While mobile eSports is becoming mainstream, we see a future where mobile and traditional gaming coexist, complementing each other.
Mobile eSports is fit for the casual market, serving a broader audience that cannot afford gaming PCs and consoles.
Traditional consoles and PCs will continue to attract video gamers who value complex storylines, HD graphics, and immersive gameplay.
