Once, it was only possible to play games on a large computer. It needed a lot of space and plenty of equipment to make the gaming setup one that could work well. Today, although these larger setups are still popular and can often be found in gamers’ homes, mobile games are becoming more and more popular. They might not take over from the traditional way of gaming on a PC or console, but they are definitely competing well.

Mobile games are those that can be played on smartphones and other mobile devices like tablets. Read on to find out the reasons why these types of games and this type of gaming have become something so many people want to indulge in.

Photo by Beata Dudová

Convenience And Portability

The main reason for the huge popularity of mobile gaming comes from the massive amount of convenience it offers players. There is nothing else like it when it comes to portability. Unlike traditional gaming platforms, like consoles or PCs, mobile games can be played at any time, no matter where you might be. Since smartphones are such a big part of our everyday lives and we often can’t leave the house without one, they can be used to ensure mobile gaming can also be a big part of our everyday lives.

When you have a smartphone and the right games downloaded, you can play even if you only have a few minutes to spare. You can play on your commute or lunch break, or even at home in bed or in the bath. The choice is yours, as long as you are keeping safe while you play – playing a game while you’re driving is never acceptable, and even if you’re walking around, it’s not ideal as you could easily get into an accident. However, for the most part, this convenient way to play games is certainly a benefit, and gaming is more accessible than ever before.

Cost-Effective Entertainment

You can’t have failed to notice that there is a cost of living crisis happening in many places around the world. Prices are rising, and salaries are remaining stagnant; in some cases, they are even falling. It can be hard for some people to buy basic things for their life like food and heating, let alone entertainment like games and the equipment to play them on.

Yet just because someone hasn’t got much money, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to relax and have some fun. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t ever be entertained. In fact, having fun can be a great way to de-stress. Since a bad financial situation can certainly cause stress, as well as other mental health conditions, so relaxation could be seen as essential.

The great thing about mobile gaming is that it is likely to be extremely cost-effective, so even those who have a low budget to spend on entertainment can still afford it. In some cases, it is even free. The only thing you’ll need to have is the device to play the game on, and most people do have these. With that, you can download many different free or low-cost games. A great example of the kind of game you can get is Honkai: Star Rail which can provide hours of entertainment, but that doesn’t cost you anything to get.

Expanding Mobile Technology

Something else that has made mobile gaming very popular is the expansion or rise of mobile technology. It seems as though with every passing year, more and more effort is put into creating the most up-to-date and useful mobile devices and apps. Not only that, but these devices have extraordinary processing power, which could never have been envisaged in the past.

This means that the games you can play on a mobile device look incredible, and the sound is often great too. Just a few years ago, it was sometimes hard to play mobile games because the graphics were blocky and unpleasant, and the sound was tinny – in a lot of cases, it was simply better to mute the sound altogether.

Today this is different, and the look and sound of the games rival anything you might find in a more traditional gaming setup. Not only does this make it more fun and engaging for the player, but it means that game developers are able to let their imaginations run much more freely as they can see their ideas really come to life.

The Social Aspect

Something else that is wonderful about mobile gaming and that has made it a much more popular thing to do is not just that the games have transformed and become a lot better, but that we can also interact more with others while we’re playing. This makes gaming a much less ‘lonely’ pursuit and ensures that we can get the social interaction and companionship that is so important for good mental health.

Many games incorporate social elements into the gameplay itself. You might be able to compete against friends and family and see what their scores are, making the gaming element a lot more competitive. You might be able to play multiplayer games, working with (or against!) others to get to the end goal and win the most points. Or perhaps there are online forums where you can chat about the mobile games you love, even if the games themselves are single player ones.

Many Game Choices

With just the device in your hand, you can pick from thousands of different mobile games that cover all kinds of genres. No matter what it is you like, from puzzles to strategy and much more, there will be a game (in fact, thousands of games) for you. Or perhaps you like a particular TV show or a certain hobby. Again, if you search for that, there is more than likely going to be a game that matches what you’re looking for.

With so much choice, you’re never going to run out of things to play or ways to enjoy mobile gaming. When you’ve had enough of one game, you can just find another. And, because of the cost-effectiveness, as mentioned above, you can try lots of games you might not have done if they cost a lot. In this way, you’ll find new favourites or rediscover old ones.