Worldwide Mobile and Handheld Gaming Forecast, 2023–2027: Mobile Gaming Adjusts to Its First-Ever Spending Drop

Worldwide Mobile and Handheld Gaming Forecast, 2023–2027: Mobile Gaming Adjusts to Its First-Ever Spending Drop

This IDC study sizes and assesses the mobile and handheld console gaming marketplace worldwide through 2027. The forecast includes a four-region breakout: North America, Western Europe, Asia/Pacific, and rest of the world (ROW). Device installed bases (IBs), monthly active user (MAU) bases, storefront and operating system (OS) dynamics, average revenue per user (ARPU), mobile game downloads, and direct local game spending and in-game ad revenue are assessed in this study. Market drivers and inhibitors, M&A deals, and leading mobile game developer/publisher dynamics are additionally addressed."2022 saw a 2.7% global drop in direct game spending on mobile games downloaded to iOS- and Android-based devices. Together with recession- and inflation-related concerns in 2023, this caused many game development studios and publishers to reexamine and rationalize their growth strategies in light of unpredictable market dynamics. We believe mobile and handheld gaming will nonetheless grow at close to 10% per year from 2022 to 2027 worldwide, and so although the near-term picture is confusing and somewhat bleak, a substantive rebound should unfold from 2024 through 2027." — Lewis Ward, research director, IDC's Gaming, Esports and VR/AR services

Please Note: Extended description available upon request.