The game industry continues to change day by day. Nearly a decade ago, mobile platforms were seen by many as the home of basic mini-games and simplicity, but within a few years, mobile games became the biggest gaming industry and continue to grow.
The big names of the console platform noticed this development and started shifting most of their projects to mobile devices. Companies such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Activision have already achieved great success with their mobile games and announced their plans for further advancement in the mobile gaming industry in the coming years.
Tech Radar recently spoke to two of King‘s developers, the company behind Crash Bandicoot: On the Run, to learn more about the rise of mobile games. They explained how it is an experience to adapt Crash Bandicoot to mobile devices and how they can find something to love in mobile app stores despite the bias of console gamers.
Crash Bandicoot: On the Run’s arrival on the mobile platform
When you consider the free-to-play mobile versions of your favorite franchises, you expect a significantly reduced experience. Many fans were upset by the lack of multiplayer when Mario Kart Tour was launched, and the transition from a simple 2D combat-based fighting game like Kingdom Hearts: Unchained X to 3D RPG gameplay.
Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is aesthetically designed to feel like games people fall in love with on console. “We wanted to make the game’s visuals and sounds feel like an original Crash game,” said Stephen Jarret, one of the producers of the game, and continued: “That’s why we’ve provided unique music, boss battles, mechanics, and gameplay to every venue in Crash Bandicoot: On the Run.”
It is not surprising that the mobile game Crash, which occupies such an important place in the series as a whole, will be released in 2021, the same year as its 25th birthday, to celebrate this great anniversary of Bandicoot. Alongside that, Jarret promised that more surprises and classic characters will emerge for the rest of the time.
Why are console characters like Crash moving to mobile?
The mobile gaming industry has such a wide range nowadays that it is not possible to ignore it. In 2020, mobile gaming on smartphones and tablets made up an estimated 50% of the global gaming market, or $86.3 billion, while console games only accounted for 30%. In 2010, the situation was the other way around. Mobile gaming only made up about 10% of the global market, so its rapid growth has become very noticeable for the gaming industry.
This increase in popularity offers great financial opportunities for studios and developers and makes gaming more accessible than ever before. Mobile games are easily accessible, offering many opportunities for classic characters to find a new player base, and it is a fact that more will follow in the footsteps of Crash. Until now, determining console gamers who are skeptical, perhaps even overlooked, about mobile and free-to-play games may need to think again, as it may be time for a new experience.
