Most Popular Mobile Games Statistics

Mobile Gaming Statistics: Top 10 Key Facts

Mobile gaming is a thriving industry that has witnessed significant growth in the past few years. Here are the top 10 key statistics that highlight the industry's growth and impact:

In 2020, the gaming industry generated over $174 billion, showcasing a 19.6% year-over-year increase.
The mobile gaming sector is expected to contribute significantly to the industry's growth, accounting for 49% of the global market revenue by 2023.
Mobile gaming drove 72% of spending in app stores in the previous year, highlighting its significant appeal among users.
The number of mobile gamers increased by 46% in 2020, and consumers spent over $19 billion on mobile games in Q2 2020, marking the largest quarter yet in terms of consumer spending on mobile games.
During 2020 and 2021, consumers spent a total of $22.2 billion on mobile game-related purchases, attributed to the prolonged stay-at-home orders due to the pandemic.
Mobile gaming became a social connector during the pandemic, with players engaging in activities such as real-time connection with friends, game character customization, and leaderboard tracking.
The most popular mobile games statistics show an undeniable upward trend in the sector, with the pandemic serving as a catalyst for increased user engagement and spending.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile gained 734 million players by December 2020 and generated around $2.6 billion in revenue the same year.
Candy Crush Saga reached over 2.7 billion downloads by December 2019, maintaining its status as one of the most popular mobile games.
Pokemon Go saw over 600 million downloads by December 2020, a testament to its continued popularity over the years.

These statistics demonstrate the significant impact of mobile gaming on the gaming industry and its potential for further growth in the future.

Rise of Mobile Gaming

The mobile gaming industry has witnessed a significant upsurge in the past few years. The advent of smartphones and advanced technological features have made gaming more accessible, contributing to the industry's growth. This section dives into the growth of the mobile gaming industry and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted it.

Mobile Gaming Industry Growth

In 2020, the gaming industry generated over $174 billion, showcasing a 19.6% year-over-year increase. The industry is forecasted to see an increase to over $217 billion by 2023, with the mobile sector expected to contribute significantly to this growth, accounting for 49% of the global market revenue [1].

Mobile gaming drove 72% of spending in app stores in the previous year, highlighting its significant appeal among users. The number of mobile gamers also increased by 46% in 2020, and consumers spent over $19 billion on mobile games in Q2 2020, marking the largest quarter yet in terms of consumer spending on mobile games [1].

Year	Gaming Industry Revenue (billion $)	YoY Growth %
2019	~146	-
2020	174	19.6%
2023 (forecasted)	217	-

Impact of COVID-19 on Mobile Gaming

Contrary to many industries that faced substantial setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mobile gaming sector thrived. Mobile gaming became a social connector during the pandemic, with players engaging in activities such as real-time connection with friends, game character customization, and leaderboard tracking [2].

During 2020 and 2021, consumers spent a total of $22.2 billion on mobile game-related purchases, attributed to the prolonged stay-at-home orders due to the pandemic. This growth in in-app purchases and other game-related spending led to a 50% increase in consumer spending on mobile games during the pandemic, indicating a shift towards digital entertainment.

The most popular mobile games statistics show an undeniable upward trend in the sector, with the pandemic serving as a catalyst for increased user engagement and spending. The ongoing evolution of mobile gaming suggests an exciting future for both players and developers in the industry.

Top Mobile Games

One of the key aspects when examining the most popular mobile games statistics is understanding which games have managed to captivate the audience consistently over time. Here, we look into five such games that have managed to maintain their popularity and player base over the years.

PUBG Mobile

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile has had an impressive run since its launch, with the game managing to gain 734 million players by December 2020. Additionally, it generated around $2.6 billion in revenue the same year, demonstrating its immense popularity and revenue potential.

Candy Crush Saga

When it comes to the most popular mobile games, Candy Crush Saga has been a long-standing favorite. By December 2019, the game reached over 2.7 billion downloads, maintaining its status as one of the most popular mobile games.

Clash of Clans

Clash of Clans has remained a popular choice among mobile gamers, with the game reaching 500 million downloads on Android devices as of December 2019. This number, coupled with a high number of active users, reflects its enduring appeal [4].

Pokemon Go

Since its launch in July 2016, Pokemon Go has continued to draw players worldwide. By December 2020, the game saw over 600 million downloads, a testament to its continued popularity over the years.

Among Us

Among Us, a game that rose to prominence during the pandemic, reached 140 million monthly active users in November 2020. This surge in popularity highlights how cultural and social events can significantly influence gaming trends.

Game	Downloads (by Dec 2020)	Revenue (2020)
PUBG Mobile	734 million	$2.6 billion
Candy Crush Saga	2.7 billion	N/A
Clash of Clans	500 million (Android only)	N/A
Pokemon Go	600 million	N/A
Among Us	N/A	N/A

These top mobile games have managed to build and maintain a strong player base, keeping players engaged with exciting gameplay, frequent updates, and community interaction. As the mobile gaming industry continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how these games evolve and adapt to cater to their players.

Mobile Gaming Trends

The evolution of the mobile gaming industry is fueled by several trends that are reshaping the way gamers interact with their favorite titles. This section explores three significant trends: the popularity of hyper-casual games, the shift towards subscription models, and the increase in in-app purchases.

Popularity of Hyper-Casual Games

Hyper-casual games, which are typically characterized by simple gameplay mechanics and quick sessions, had a remarkable performance in 2020. According to Aarki, there was a 45% year-over-year growth in the adoption of the top 1,000 hyper-casual genre games, resulting in over 10 billion installs. This trend ties into the increasing appeal of mobile games that offer a quick and easy way to pass the time, often without the need for significant investment or commitment from the player.

Shift Towards Subscription Models

Another notable trend is the shift towards subscription models in mobile games. In 2020, eight out of the top 15 grossing mobile games adopted in-app subscriptions as a monetization method. These games demonstrated higher long-term retention rates compared to non-subscription games, as reported by Aarki. The success of subscription models suggests that players are willing to pay a consistent fee for access to exclusive content, regular updates, and an ad-free gaming experience.

In-App Purchases in Mobile Gaming

In-app purchases have also been on the rise, with consumers spending a total of $22.2 billion on mobile game-related purchases in 2020 and 2021. As explained by Finances Online, the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in this trend, as prolonged stay-at-home orders led to an increase in mobile gaming activity. This growth in in-app purchases and other game-related spending led to a 50% increase in consumer spend on mobile games during the pandemic, indicating a shift towards digital entertainment.

These trends not only reflect the changing preferences and habits of mobile gamers but also indicate the potential growth areas for developers and publishers in the industry. By capitalizing on these trends, stakeholders in the mobile gaming industry can enhance their offerings, engage their audience, and drive revenue growth.

Mobile Gaming Demographics

Understanding the demographics of mobile gaming can provide intriguing insights into the most popular mobile games statistics. It's essential to look at various factors such as gender, age distribution, and parental participation to get a comprehensive view of the mobile gaming landscape.

Mobile Gaming and Gender

Contrary to traditional perceptions, the mobile gaming market isn't predominantly male-oriented. There's significant participation from female gamers and gender minorities in mobile gaming demographics. In fact, women constitute a larger portion of the mobile gaming audience compared to men. According to a study by MMA Global, 70% of women and 66% of men play mobile games. Moreover, women also spend 25% more time on average in gaming sessions compared to men.

Age Distribution in Mobile Gaming

The age distribution of mobile gamers might surprise many. The popular belief that mobile gaming is primarily for the younger generation doesn't hold true according to MMA Global. The 16-24 age group represents only 14.2% of mobile gamers, while individuals older than 45 make up nearly a third of mobile gamers. This clearly indicates that mobile gaming transcends age boundaries, appealing to a wide range of age groups.

Age Group	Percentage of Mobile Gamers
16-24	14.2%
25-34	21.8%
35-44	19.1%
45-54	17.9%
55+	27.0%

Parental Participation in Mobile Gaming

Parents are more likely to be gamers than their children. The study by MMA Global reveals that 61% of gamers in a survey were parents with children living in the same household. This suggests that mobile gaming is not just a pastime for the younger generation, but also an activity enjoyed by parents.

In conclusion, the most popular mobile games statistics demonstrate that mobile gaming is a diverse and inclusive space. A broad spectrum of genders, age groups, and parental statuses partake in mobile gaming, breaking down traditional stereotypes and misconceptions about the gaming community.

The Future of Mobile Gaming

As we continue to delve into the most popular mobile games statistics, it's important to look at the future projections for this dynamic industry. With the sector's meteoric rise in recent years, it's clear that mobile gaming is poised for further growth and evolution.

Projected Growth of Mobile Gaming

Mobile gaming has shown significant growth in recent years and is projected to continue this upward trajectory. By 2025, the mobile gaming industry is projected to hit a value of $128.5 billion, indicating substantial growth in this sector over the next few years [5]. Furthermore, the number of mobile gamers worldwide is anticipated to surpass 3 billion by 2023, underlining the vast and diverse audience that engages with mobile games.

Year	Projected Industry Value (in billion USD)	Projected Number of Gamers (in billion)
2025	128.5	3

Changing Mobile Gaming Habits

As the mobile gaming industry grows, so do the habits and preferences of its users. Mobile gamers spend an average of 48 minutes per day on mobile games in the US, providing insight into the engagement levels and time commitment of users in this region. Moreover, the average game session time has increased over time, with data showing an average session of 4.7 minutes in May 2015, up from 4 minutes in 2014. This indicates a growing engagement with mobile games among users.

Year	Average Session Time (in minutes)
2014	4
2015	4.7

Potential Developments in Mobile Gaming

As the mobile gaming landscape evolves, new trends and developments are set to shape the future of this industry. For example, the battle royale genre in mobile games saw significant growth, with a 50% increase in consumer spend during the pandemic compared to the non-pandemic period [3]. Similarly, the growth in in-app purchases and other game-related spending led to a 50% increase in consumer spend on mobile games during the pandemic, indicating a shift towards digital entertainment.

These trends not only highlight the evolving preferences of gamers but also the potential for new developments in game design, monetization strategies, and user engagement. As the industry continues to expand and innovate, the future of mobile gaming promises to be an exciting and dynamic space.