Mobile game usage growth slowed in 2014 – report

Time spent gaming on smartphones and tablets continued its upward trend last year, but at a significantly slower rate compared to 2013.

Research from mobile analytics firm Flurry claims 2014 mobile game usage grew 30 per cent from 2013’s total. Not bad in a vacuum, but relatively weak when stacked against the 66 per cent growth 2013 saw over 2012.

Couple that with the fact that the usage numbers for shopping and lifestyle apps far outpaced game usage, and you get the impression that people have settled into what exactly they like to use their device for. For the general smartphone or tablet owner, gaming appears to have become less of a priority when stacked up against apps that help with general routine and online purchasing.

Flurry’s report further states that growth slowed in music and movie app usage as well, and goes on to suggest that demand in the mobile market is shifting from diversions (such as games) to tools that help people accomplish daily tasks. It also indicates mobile messaging clients such as WeChat and LINE will make a major impact in Western mobile markets this year.