The hottest mobile gaming trends of 2022
How technology is transforming the way we play.
Recent leaps in technology have had a profound impact on the mobile gaming industry. Ultra-immersive experiences that were once considered science fiction have not only become reality but are more accessible and popular than ever. In fact, with over $93 billion in revenue in 2021, the mobile gaming market is larger than the console and PC markets combined.
It makes sense if you think about it — as of July 2022, there are more than 6.5 billion smartphones1 on the planet, while the lifetime sales of every gaming console ever is only about 1.6 billion units.2 Today, over two billion people3 play games on their phones, and many mobile titles now compete with the games that have traditionally been played on consoles or PCs. As companies race to create more immersive experiences, the opportunities for mobile gaming have never been greater. Here’s how the latest trends in the metaverse, NFTs and cloud gaming are impacting mobile gaming in 2022 and beyond.
Live events hit the metaverse
Mobile games have been using standalone metaverses for a while now, allowing players from around the world to interact virtually in real time. But now gaming companies are adding a new twist: letting virtual players attend live in-person events. Recently, Samsung partnered with Roblox4 and pop star Charli XCX to create the Samsung Superstar Galaxy, a virtual experience that lets users create their own pop star persona and join the singer on stage during her live concert. This type of event merges virtual and live to create uniquely immersive experiences that make exclusive, in-person events accessible to anyone with a smartphone like Galaxy S22.
But remember, to take your gaming to the next level, you’ll need a virtual reality headset or a powerful gaming computer like Galaxy Book2 Pro. VR for mobile gaming isn’t available in every metaverse yet; until it is, expect more hybrid live-digital experiences in mobile games.
"It has the perfect battery. Perfect size. I play games on it too and it performs amazing"
— Ryan, Galaxy S22 Owner
Playing for keeps with NFTs
NFT gaming has exploded as players seek to get their hands on one-of-a-kind and often scarce virtual assets. Just like the metaverse, these Web3 blockchain assets connect the virtual world with the real one and give players a sense of ownership. Allowing them to buy, sell and trade NFTs for real-world money, these "play-to-earn” games also let participants monetize their time and in-game achievements.
The integration of NFTs will continue to have a tremendous impact on the development of mobile game economies. As this trend evolves, expect to see NFTs that can be used across multiple mobile games, or player-skin NFTs that give your in-game character a universal look.
like Samsung’s 837X metaverse.
Going beyond the console
You may think of the cloud as a place to stash your docs and photos, but now the cloud is becoming a global connector of virtual games. As streaming quality and server technology have improved, cloud-based games deliver a virtually seamless real-time user experience, making gaming more inclusive to millions of gamers with physical limitations and those without a console or PC.
Gaming within the cloud reduces the hardware necessary to play popular titles, and because smartphones are ubiquitous, it opens the door to a wider audience. Players’ mobile devices become the all-in-one console, controller and screen, so you can play whenever and wherever you want, whether it’s on Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Book2 Pro or a smartphone like Galaxy S22.
"Best tablet I ever used - the brightness and colors are epic on this thing. Most of my time is spent playing games. I highly recommend this tablet!"
— Jenny, Galaxy Tab S8 Owner
As the barriers between the virtual and real worlds continue to break down, while exploring your new Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor's response time and smoother game play, be sure to check out Samsung's Galaxy Gaming Hub5 to connect yourself to the now always-on global virtual gaming community experience in the cloud. Let’s go!
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Galaxy S22
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- 1Turner, A. (n.d.). How Many Smartphones Are In The World? bankmycell.com. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.bankmycell.com/blog/how-many-phones-are-in-the-world
- 2Gruenwedel, E. (2020, May 20). Study: 1.56 Billion Video Game Consoles Sold All-Time Globally. Media Play News. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.mediaplaynews.com/study-1-56-billion-video-game-consoles-sold-all-time
- 3Liao, S. (2021, May 17). Forget next-gen consoles. The biggest gaming platform is already in your pocket. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/05/27/mobile-games-spending
- 4You must download the Roblox app from your mobile application store. Roblox supports Android OS 5.0 and higher.
- 5The Gaming Hub is only available in Samsung Smart TVs, it is not available in our mobile devices. However, users can still download each app (such as XBOX game pass) separately and get the cloud gaming experience.