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6 December 2024
#Mobile Environment

Mobile Gaming 2024: Key Trends and Insights from the data.ai Report

This article examines the key aspects of the mobile video gaming market in 2024, based on insights from the State of Mobile Gaming 2024 report.

How Many People Play Video Games

According to the Digital 2024 October Global Statshot Report, 84.1% of people play video games in 2024. The highest gaming participation is in the Philippines (97.1%), while the lowest is in Japan (68.6%).

How Many People Play Video Games

The most active players are aged 16-24, though gaming remains popular across other age groups. Preferences in game genres vary by age, with younger users favoring midcore games and older users opting for casual games.

Experts from Statista predict that the global number of mobile gaming users will reach 2.4 billion by 2029.

who plays video games 2024

Top Devices for Gaming in 2024

In 2024, users still prefer playing video games on smartphones (70.1%). The following devices are also commonly used:

  • Laptops and desktops (35.8%)
  • Gaming consoles (23.7%)
  • Tablets (17.8%)

The highest growth in usage has been recorded among mobile devices, particularly smartphones and tablets. In contrast, virtual reality headsets have the lowest popularity overall.

Popular Mobile Games in 2024

Among the leading mobile games are those based on popular franchises, such as Monopoly GO and EA SPORTS FC Mobile Soccer. Their success is attributed to graphics and gameplay that meet console standards.

The open-world RPG Genshin Impact continues to dominate, surpassing $4 billion in consumer spending.

By the end of 2024, the most time-spent games include:

  • Roblox
  • Free Fire
  • Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
  • Brawl Stars
  • Candy Crush Saga
  • Minecraft Pocket Edition
  • PUBG Mobile
top mobile games 2024

The most popular genre is shooters for the 16-64 age group. It is followed by:

  • action-adventure
  • sports
  • racing

As users age, they increasingly prefer puzzle games and casino games to more active genres.

most popular video game formats

Leading Countries in Mobile Game Downloads

India, Brazil, and Indonesia continue to lead in mobile game downloads on Google Play.

These figures highlight an important trend: the growth in the popularity of mobile games is linked to the expanding middle class and the increasing number of smartphone users.

In fact, over the past year, the global number of unique internet users grew by 2.8%, representing 151 million new connections.

Leading Countries in Mobile Game Downloads

Why Mobile Advertising Spending Will Exceed $400 Billion in 2024

The mobile advertising market is recovering after a slowdown in 2023, though growth rates remain lower than those seen from 2019 to 2022.

Nevertheless, mobile advertising spending is expected to surpass $400 billion in 2024. This growth is driven by the increasing amount of time users spend in apps. For instance, Android users collectively spent 5.1 trillion hours in apps over the past year.

global mobile ad spend 2024

The Most Popular Advertising Format in 2024

Video content remains the key tool for user engagement. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok continue to lead in terms of usage time.

Experts assert that the video format is relevant for all market segments. Our platform’s experience supports this: interactive creatives help achieve high results in in-app advertising.

in-app advertising byyd
Check out our case studies here.

Which Apps Reached $1 Billion in Revenue

In 2023, four new apps crossed the $1 billion revenue mark, with Royal Match leading the way. This marks a recovery for the market after a downturn, as in 2022, no app reached this milestone.

Before 2020, only gaming apps could boast of reaching $1 billion in revenue. However, since then, platforms and other categories have joined this list.

The first non-gaming app to surpass this threshold was Tinder. Since then, five more apps have joined, including Google One and Max.

Which Apps Reached $1 Billion in Revenue

The Evolution of Hyper-Casual Games

Hyper-casual games are still the most downloaded, but rising competition is forcing developers to innovate.

By 2025, these games are expected to combine new mechanics to make gameplay deeper and keep players engaged longer. In 2024, games like 3D Match and Mahjong Solitaire started adding fresh features, making them more exciting and creative, according to the Casual Gaming Apps Report.

The Evolution of Hyper-Casual Games

Social Interaction in Mobile Gaming

Social features are now a major part of mobile games.

Popular multiplayer genres like 4x March-Battle, MMORPG, and Battle Royale attract players with cooperative missions and team battles that encourage interaction.

The rise of cross-play features, which allow players to save progress across devices, enhances the sense of connection. This makes social games especially popular with younger audiences.

Stable Internet Drives Mobile Gaming

Modern mobile games require a reliable internet connection to function smoothly, especially for multiplayer and cross-platform projects.

By 2025, improved internet access and advanced smartphones will make complex games more accessible, helping to maintain engaging experiences and bring in more players.

most popular gaming formats 2024

Mobile games attract millions of users and become the most important tool for brand promotion.

BYYD has been successfully running advertising campaigns in mobile apps for over 9 years. Our experience is backed up by thousands of projects, examples of which are available on our website.

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