The mobile gaming industry has come a long way from when it started and has experienced rapid growth in recent years. With the increasing popularity of mobile gaming, the industry is one of the most attractive and profitable one out there. According to Mordor Intelligence, the market for gaming will reach a total value of $339.5 billion by 2027. Thus, mobile gaming can be predicted to have a bright future.

To understand the potential of mobile game development and the trends associated with creating real-time strategy games, one should consider certain facts and stats about the industry. SensorTower reported that player investment will reach $138 billion by 2025 and overall, Asia ranks the highest with almost 1.48 billion players while Europe follows with 715 million.

Here are some of the most likely mobile game development trends to look out for in 2023.

1.   Blockchain-based gaming

Blockchain’s popularity is rising not only in the e-commerce industry but has also become a strong sector regarding gaming. It is becoming a source of pay-to-win, play-to-win, and non-fungible token-based games. According to Markets and Markets, it is estimated that the global Blockchain gaming market size will become worth $65.7 billion by 2027 with a CAGR of 70.3%.

2.   Cloud-based gaming

Cloud-based gaming is gaining immense traction among users and developers. Cloud gaming allows players to play games on mobile devices, PCs, and laptops by streaming games from remote servers. It is another convenient and attractive trend in mobile gaming.

3.   eSports Gaming

Third trend is the emergence of eSports which describes the world of competitive, organized video gaming played for spectators by professional gamers. In 2022, the e-sports market was valued at just over $1.38 billion, and the industry is predicted to reach $1.87 billion by 2025, as stated in Statista.

4.   Crypto gaming

Crypto gaming has become a new trend in mobile gaming as more and more companies are investing in specific currencies and games. Players can trade in digital assets such as weapons and items and even convert them to real-world money.

5.   Metaverse

The fifth trend to keep a close eye on is the Metaverse, which is a space where brands and startups are creating a more robust gaming experience than ever before seen, such as Fortnite concerts. The market size for Metaverse gaming is bound to grow to $710.21 billion by 2027.

6.   Wearables

The industry is also making strides with wearable technology, with devices such as smart rings, smart watches, and bracelets being used to track body data as well as monitor sleep rhythm. This in-game move makes gaming more immersive and realistic by inviting players to be part of the virtual world, henceforth being able to influence the game world’s environment while incorporating physical movement by the players.

7.   Hyper-casual games

The significance of hyper-casual gaming is also becoming more and more evident. Hyper-casual games are mobile video games which are easy-to-play, usually free-to-play and feature minimalistic user interfaces. According to BusinessWire, the global online gaming market will reach a CAGR of 11.9% by 2026 and this is attributed to the growth of hyper-casual gaming.

8.   VR

Lastly, Virtual Reality is a technology that is becoming more and more popular with gamers. It offers a 3D virtual environment through the use of a headset that allows for customization and a high degree of interactivity. Intel, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Siemens, Amazon, Nokia, and Qualcomm have already began investing in the development of VR for gaming. The continuous progress in VR gaming will certainly provide a boost to the industry.

These are some of the most likely mobile gaming trends that you can expect to see in the upcoming months. With the abundance of potential applications, we are expecting to see fast paced changes in the industry and new opportunities for mobile game producers.