The online gaming industry is one of the greatest successes to come from the era of the internet. With everyone these days carrying a mobile phone or portable device in their hand no matter where they go, game developers saw a great opportunity to offer entertainment on the go.
The variety of games available online now means that there is something for everyone from brain teasing puzzles, to fully immersive worlds where they player directs the gameplay to sisal aviator. There is sure to be something to appeal to everyone’s tastes and interests.
Mobile games are now a way to pass the time on a bus or a train, in the doctors waiting room or even just while chilling out of the sofa at home in the evening.
Mobile gaming has come a long way since the game of Snake on a now antiquated Nokia phone. These days they offer fantastic graphics, some even have fully developed storylines filled with adventure. Most are free to download, with optional in-app purchases available, make them an inexpensive form of leisure.
Here are just some of the most played mobile games of the moment.
PUBG Mobile
Playerunkown Battlegrounds or PUBG Mobile is the mobile game which currently holds the title for record breaking number of downloads, with over one billion to date, giving it the honour of most played mobile game ever.
This is a battle royale style game. The player lands on a remote island and has to utilise skills of survival to explore the island and hunt for supplies and weapons. The game can be played alone or as a team with other players. The aim of the game is to be the last man standing.
The graphics are extraordinary for a mobile game and really show the development that has occurred within the mobile gaming industry over the years.
Pokémon Go
The release of this augmented reality game in 2016 brought with it a phenomenon. The game encouraged its players to head outdoors and spend time walking the streets and parks of their local areas.
The game uses GPS to find Pokémon. The player then attempts to capture, train and battle the fictional creatures. The beauty of the game is that all the actions appear to occur in the players real life location.
It was quite the innovation at the time, pulling in record numbers of players. Since its original release it has remained one of the most played mobile games.
Candy Crush Saga
Candy Crush was released in 2012 for Facebook. It has since been developed into a mobile game, proving that it really has stood the test of time and remained in favour with the public.
It is a candy themed match 3 game. Players must proceed through the levels by making matches vertically or diagonally on the board. Some candies have special powers. Each level has different requirements, for example, reaching a specified score within a set time frame or number of moves or collect certain coloured candies.
The game is fun and brightly coloured making it especially popular with females and youths who make up the majority of its playing population.
Subway Surfers
Subway Surfers is an exciting and adrenalin inducing endless runner game. The gameplay opens with the player, graffiti artist, getting caught spraying a tram. The player takes off along the railways tracks while an inspector and his dog are in pursuit. Along the way the player must avoid obstacles with objects or oncoming trains. The player can collect gold coins and power ups to assist in the escape. The game ends if the player gets caught or hit by a train.
It was the most downloaded game of the previous decade and has well surpassed 2 billion downloads securing its position in the list of most played mobile games.
Call of Duty: Mobile
Call of Duty is a shooter game, jam packed with action in which the player has to defeat his enemies using a variety of weapons.
Upon its release in 2019, it was one of the most successful game launches ever, earning its creators, TiMi Studio Group almost US$500 million and 270 million downloads in just one year. It won the accolade of Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2019.