Port Washington, NY, January 15,
2020 –  According to Deconstructing Mobile & Tablet Gaming 2020, the latest report from The NPD Group, of the 291.8 million mobile users in the two countries, 214.1 million are mobile gamers, a 2 percent increase over 2018; but a decline from the 5 percent growth experienced in 2017.

While growth in the player base continues to slow as the device market has become saturated and fewer new users enter the market, games revenue continues a trend of growth. Driven in large part by strong performance among key leaders across the mobile gaming genres, revenue topped $11.82 billion in 2019, an increase of 24 percent.

As of 2019, it is estimated that 80 percent of children, teens, and adults own and/or use a smart device, and that approximately 74 percent of owners/users use their device in an average month to play a mobile game.

Mobile gaming remains one of the most common uses for smart devices, with strong engagement across all age groups. Accessibility remains a key feature of mobile gaming appeal, with gamers of all ages appreciating the easy ability to access a plethora of free or inexpensive entertainment that can be played on convenient devices that they probably already have and carry with them, and can be played across a wide range of scenarios, from multitasking at home, to killing time while out, or in focused sessions.

“Mobile gaming continues to be a dynamic and expanding market, offering appealing content to all types of game players,” said Mat Piscatella, games industry analyst at The NPD Group. “New hit games in 2019, such as Call of Duty: Mobile, and Mario Kart Tour, along with the launch of the Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass subscription services, are just some examples of the breadth and depth of mobile gaming’s rapid evolution and why it remains gaming’s largest, and most diverse, platform.”

All mobile gaming genres saw revenue growth in 2019, with 56 percent of revenue being generated by the top three genres: puzzle, skill & chance, and strategy. These genres have maintained their top positions year over year, with each sustained by a single high-performing subgenre: matching puzzle, casino-chance, and combat city builder, respectively.

The report, done in collaboration with mobile app analytics firm Sensor
Tower, examines the current state of the USA & Canadian mobile gaming market, including the gaming habits of current players ages 2 and older, and market performance trends.

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