We have certainly been seeing a big shift towards mobile-first gaming as of late, with many triple-A studios dipping their toes into the market. One rather unexpected change that has accompanied this shift is the rise of strategy games. Why is this? Strategy games have held their place in the industry for a long time, but why are some now becoming household names in this push for mobile-first gaming?
Games of chance
Alongside strategy games, it is also important to note that games of chance are also becoming much more popular due to the shift to mobile gaming. This is especially obvious within the online slot game sector. In addition to this natural growth, there are also many different casino Free Spins that players can redeem for a boost to start their playtime.
However, the popularity of games of chance is not restricted to online mobile casinos, as there has also been a big trend in the past few years that has shown general gaming communities enjoy games of chance. This trend has led to the inclusion of loot boxes in some of the most popular games. Games such as Overwatch and Counter-Strike popularised this trend, but it has become a mainstay within the culture. In essence, a loot box is effectively a virtual box you can open to try your luck at getting some kind of character boost.
A change in the formula
Strategy games have been subject to a lot of changes as they make their way across to mobile platforms; they are rarely as mechanically complex as their computer or console counterparts, and that’s for good reason. The nature of mobile gaming doesn’t support those in-depth mechanics to be used in the same way, partly due to mobiles just not allowing for it, and the fact that most people aren’t going to sit down and sink hours at a time into a mobile game. As a result, the simplification of the mechanics has allowed games to become much more accessible, as the barrier to entry is now much lower.
While changing the mechanics fundamentally changes the game, that isn’t a bad thing in this case, as it is better fits the pace of a mobile game. Mobile gamers typically prefer titles that can be played in segments rather than a 10-hour game that you need to finish in one sitting.
What’s causing the shift to mobile platforms?
This shift has really started to grow over the past few years, but it started earlier than you may have thought. The first big mobile gaming boom happened in the early 2010s with games like Angry Birds taking the world by storm and becoming a household name. This set the groundwork for the mobile gaming industry we know today. As smartphones continue to become more powerful, they are beginning to compete with contemporary consoles.
This has caused somewhat of a shift, as most people already have a smartphone in their pocket they tend to ask the question: If my phone is so powerful, what’s the point in gaming on a console? Which is a valid question to ask. An increasing number of people are deciding to shelve the console and opt for mobile gaming.
Technically simple
Something else that factors into this shift is that gaming on a mobile device is generally a much smoother experience. Anyone who has gamed on a PC before can tell you the amount of troubleshooting that needs to be done on some of the most basic things can be incredibly frustrating, but this is largely absent when gaming on mobile. Most of the time, it is as easy as just pressing download and playing the game.
What are the downsides to strategy games on mobile?
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows though, there are certainly some downsides to playing strategy games on mobile, although most of them do come down to your preference and what you want from a game. As previously mentioned, they will generally be a faster pace, with turns taking less time, which some might see as a bad thing if they may want to take their time and plan every little detail of their move.
There is also something to be said about the control scheme. Touch-based controls can be intuitive and easy to pick up, but sometimes they can be clunky and unforgiving, which can detract from the user experience.
Conclusion
This is an exciting time for gamers of all types, there are many console-quality games that are soon to be released on mobile devices, such as Assassin’s Creed Jade and The Division Resurgence. No matter what kind of games you like, there will be something for you on mobile. From strategy to racing, shooters and life-sims, there really is something for everyone. As you likely already own a mobile, what’s the harm in giving a mobile game a try?
