A Decade of Touchscreens: How Smartphones Changed the Way we Play

The iPhone, released almost a decade ago, was a major step in the evolution of mobile phones. It has transformed the handset into a pocket-sized computer, with a huge screen and a myriad of possibilities. And developers have made the most of these possibilities - today you can use your phone for anything from ordering a pizza to monitoring your location and heartbeat (with the right accessories, of course). But the biggest influence the iPhone - and its successors - had was in the gaming industry. Today, the "personal screen" (the term used by those doing the numbers) is the medium of choice for those seeking to play, no matter if they do it through mobile gambling platforms or social networks. And it will continue to grow in the coming years.

Mobile games - a short history

Snake, the first successful mobile game, was released together with Nokia's iconic 6110 back in 1997. It was not a new game, not an original game, but it was a huge step ahead in the evolution of mobile phones. With it, the handset that was nothing but a communication device has turned into something more: a medium for entertainment.

The Nokia 6110 was very dumb by today's standards. It had a small, monochrome screen, a weak processor, and an infrared port that allowed it to communicate wirelessly with other devices. The same IrDA port that allowed it to print short texts and transfer digital business cards has made it possible for the first mobile game to be multiplayer - in a rudimentary way, of course. But it showed its users that mobile phones had more in them than just text messages and calls.

Later, phones got cameras and color screens, and many other capabilities, including the ability to run simple games. But two decades had to pass until they have grown into the devices we all love today, that bring the world to our fingertips.

Mobile gaming - where does it stand today?

According to Newzoo, the global gaming industry is worth $99.6 billion this year, and more than a third of its revenue is generated by mobile games. Which is a huge number, but not hard to believe - according to Statista, Game of War: Fire Age generates over $1.5 million in revenues each day. In the US only. On the iPhone only. And the number of games available through the two biggest smartphone platforms has exceeded 500,000 each. And people continue to play on the go, using not laptops or portable consoles, but their smartphones as their device of choice.

The mobile gaming industry will continue to grow in the coming years, as smartphone makers continue to explore new markets for their products. By 2019, the mobile gaming market will be worth over $50 billion, overtaking desktops and consoles alike.