Speaking at the Casual Connect Conference in Amsterdam, David Gosen, CEO of I-play, shared his vision that a mobile phone platform will be the ultimate gaming device of the future, rendering the in-home console as the platform for a niche audience.
Mobile not only holds the key to the future of gaming, but convergence of casual gaming content between online and mobile will continue to drive the success of both platforms.
According to data from Informa Telecoms & Media and Montgomery, mobile has five times the installed base compared to console, with the number of mobile subscribers forecast to reach 2.8 billion next year. "Its reach and multi-functionality positions mobile as the number one mass market entertainment device of the future," Gosen said.
The number of mobile games sold was forecast to outstrip the number of console/portable games sold in 2006, according to data from IDC and Montgomery, with mobile games unit sales set to continue on a strong growth trajectory until they are projected to double console games sales by 2009.
Gosen pointed to the fact that it will be casual gaming genres that will drive both online and mobile gaming markets, because of their mainstream consumer appeal.
The state of the mobile industry today is one of balancing the demands of the present, with the promise of the future. More and more consumers are beginning to understand that they can use their mobile phones for more than just making and receiving calls.
Improved technology and increasing 3G penetration has and will continue to have a growing impact on the consumption of mobile entertainment, driving this industry to reach Informa's forecasts of $11.2 billion by 2011.
Mobile not only holds the key to the future of gaming, but convergence of casual gaming content between online and mobile will continue to drive the success of both platforms.
According to data from Informa Telecoms & Media and Montgomery, mobile has five times the installed base compared to console, with the number of mobile subscribers forecast to reach 2.8 billion next year. "Its reach and multi-functionality positions mobile as the number one mass market entertainment device of the future," Gosen said.
The number of mobile games sold was forecast to outstrip the number of console/portable games sold in 2006, according to data from IDC and Montgomery, with mobile games unit sales set to continue on a strong growth trajectory until they are projected to double console games sales by 2009.
Gosen pointed to the fact that it will be casual gaming genres that will drive both online and mobile gaming markets, because of their mainstream consumer appeal.
The state of the mobile industry today is one of balancing the demands of the present, with the promise of the future. More and more consumers are beginning to understand that they can use their mobile phones for more than just making and receiving calls.
Improved technology and increasing 3G penetration has and will continue to have a growing impact on the consumption of mobile entertainment, driving this industry to reach Informa's forecasts of $11.2 billion by 2011.