Mobile Gamers in Lockdown Report

Key insights

5 takeaways

01
Mobile gaming accounts for 48% of global gaming revenue, significantly outpacing the 23% share held by PC gaming.
02
Mobile gaming remains a predominantly solitary experience, with 73% of UK mobile gamers playing alone and only 7% engaging exclusively in multiplayer modes.
03
Approximately 23% of mobile gamers reported increased spending on in-app purchases during the pandemic compared to pre-lockdown levels.
04
Spending habits varied significantly by age, with 33% of 45-54 year olds increasing their in-app purchase frequency, while 18-24 year olds showed a decline in spending.
05
Unlike PC and console gaming, which saw a shift toward social and multiplayer experiences during lockdown, mobile gaming motivations remain centered on individual mastery and achievement.

Summary

The Mobile Gamers in Lockdown report examines how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the habits and spending behaviors of mobile gamers. While the broader gaming industry experienced a surge in social and multiplayer engagement during lockdown, the study identifies mobile gaming as a distinct outlier that remained a predominantly solitary experience. The research highlights that mobile gamers are primarily motivated by personal achievement and mastery rather than the social connectivity sought by PC and console players.

Methodologically, the findings are based on a survey of over 1,000 UK-based mobile gamers. Data indicates that 73% of respondents play alone, with only 7% engaging exclusively in multiplayer modes. Despite the lack of a shift toward social play, the pandemic did impact financial behavior. Approximately 23% of participants reported increased spending on in-app purchases, though this trend varied significantly by demographic. Specifically, individuals aged 45–54 showed the highest increase in spending frequency, while the 18–24 age group—previously the most active spenders—exhibited a decline in purchasing activity.

The analysis concludes that mobile gaming maintains a unique position in the market, characterized by a focus on individual progression. This stability in play style suggests that mobile gaming has not yet successfully transitioned into the social-centric model seen on other platforms. The findings prompt a strategic consideration for developers regarding whether and how to evolve mobile experiences to better facilitate social interaction, given the platform's dominance in global gaming revenue.