Analysing the major mobile game design and feature trends in 2021
Wilhelm Voutilainen
Monday 31st January 2022
With mobile games now generating over 57% of global games revenue, the mobile gaming market shows no signs of slowing down. Analysts estimate the mobile gaming market will be worth a staggering £272 billion by 2030, and as we near the end of another big year for the sector, it's worth taking a look back at some of the key trends, developments and features that contributed to its growth in 2021.
This growth is great news for both game developers and players. 2021 has seen more titles embrace hybrid gameplay elements and spin out into new genres while the rise of social features we experienced in 2020 has evolved even further, transforming how we socialise online. Roblox's virtual concerts mean you no longer need to travel for miles to party at the world's biggest music festivals, while the renovation features in Perfect World Mobile let you invite your friends over to hang in your virtual home.
2021 has proved there's still plenty of innovation left in the mobile market
So what does all of this tell us? People want to connect, play, and socialise together in digital worlds, and slowly, this is becoming the new norm. We can see this reflected in the popularity of social play elements such as guild mechanics, which are up 20% in the top 100 US iOS games. Deeper social mechanics, such as hang-out areas where players can socialise in digital environments outside of game lobbies, are starting to trend, too.
Social mechanics aren't the only mobile feature that are evolving; events are getting bigger too. Limited time collaboration events are more popular than ever before as more brands outside the gaming industry look for a way in. 40% of the top 100 iOS games in the US feature brand
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