Gaming is loved the world over, with video and digital games being the latest iteration of this popular pastime. However, whereas all you need to play a game of chess, for example, is the relevant pieces and a chequerboard, video games have always posed an accessibility challenge.
That’s not because the act of firing up a game, or even learning to play one with a game controller is intrinsically complex. Rather, it’s because in most cases they require some kind of proprietary hardware to play.
A modern triple-A title requires many things to get up and running, including a 9th-generation games console, controller, stable internet connection, HDMI-enabled TV, and, of course, the game itself. Not only is that some list, it’s expensive.
While this has done little to deter those ardent gamers keen to experience the best the industry has to offer in 2024, it ensured that it remained a hobby with a relatively high bar to entry. That was, until the arrival of the smartphone.
Evolution of Gaming Through Smartphones
Gaming on mobile devices is of course nothing new, with portable consoles like the Nintendo DS selling millions and many proto-smartphones offering users the chance to play a limited but compelling selection of titles on-device. There were even some early attempts at crossovers like the ill-fated Nokia N-Gage hybrid phone and console.
But pragmatically it wasn’t until the arrival of the modern smartphone and its flexible and simple app ecosystem that gaming opened up to new demographics.
The numbers don’t like – today over 50% of all gaming revenues, and over half of all gamers come from mobile titles. The differentiator is that people already owned a smartphone for more practical reasons, thus found themselves a couple of taps away from modern gaming on a capable device already in their possession.
Increasingly, the smartphone is looking like the future of the industry, and diverse sectors from across the gaming world have taken strides to ensure their offerings are fully compatible and easy to access on modern Android and iPhone devices.
Among those sectors that have done more than most to ensure their presence on this new format is successful is the iGaming industry, with today’s online casinos squarely focused on the smartphone market. But what optimizations did this require, and what can we learn from the way the iGaming sector has pivoted to mobile?
Also Read: Top mobile casino games revolutionizing gaming
Targeted Bonuses
One of the key innovations that has ensured the online casino space is the fastest growing element of the wider gambling industry today is its focus on furnishing users with promotions narrowly focused on their interests. With so many potential patrons out there, it makes sense to take a ‘kitchen sink’ approach to marketing.
With respect to online casinos, this can be seen in the rise of dedicated platforms like CasinoBonusCA who provide gaming aficionados with welcome offers and sign-up bonuses on everything from free spins to VIP card and table variants. By catering to the widest range of gamers possible, the sector ensures its proactive in boosting organic growth on the mobile platform.
Getting Oriented
The jump to smartphone form factors was relatively simple for online casinos, as their offerings were already at home on web browsers such as those that can be used on modern smartphones.
Of course, there are differences to be accounted for. Namely, these are twofold: 1) mobile websites need to have resized buttons and menus that work well with touch inputs, and 2) unlike conventional laptops or desktop PCs, most people use their phones in a portrait orientation which can cause some problems for rendering and web design if not accounted for in mobile sites.
Nowadays most websites on the internet dynamically switch between their mobile and desktop versions depending on device detection and user preferences, but the online casino sector must account for its multi-media dense offerings which can complicate matters.
To account for this, a growing number of online casino titles are being built from the ground up to favour the portrait orientation common on smartphones.
This is not dissimilar to the shift towards portrait video formats being ushered in by the popularity of TikTok. Ultimately, today’s online gaming providers know that the gamers of tomorrow will be more than likely to access their titles on mobile, and are future-proofing for this eventuality.
Also Read: How 5G Is Transforming Mobile Gaming Data Usage?
Conclusion
Smartphones have revolutionized the gaming industry by making it more accessible and affordable than ever before. Unlike traditional gaming setups, which require expensive hardware, mobile gaming leverages devices people already own, broadening the reach and diversity of gamers.
The iGaming sector has particularly embraced this shift, optimizing platforms for mobile use and offering targeted promotions to engage users. As mobile devices continue to dominate, they will undoubtedly shape the future of gaming, ensuring that this beloved pastime remains both inclusive and innovative.
