Spending on iOS and Google Play Games Now 4X Handheld Console Games

Consumers spend four times as much on games from the App Store and the Google Play Store than they do on games for gaming-optimized handhelds like the PlayStation Vita and the Nintendo 3DS, according to the newest report from App Annie.

The report points out that while Google Play game spending surpassed spending on handheld console games (both physical and digital) during the second quarter of 2013, App Store game spending continues to outpace both categories, bringing in far more revenue.

Back in July, App Annie reported that Google Play downloads had surpassed App Store downloads, but App Store revenue remains 2.3 times higher.

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App Annie notes that games continue to lead app store growth, and during the second quarter of 2013, games represented approximately 40% of downloads from both Google Play and the App Store. Game sales in both app stores grew a significant amount from the Q1 2013 to Q2 2013 and represented 70% of total app revenue in both the App Store and Google Play.

The App Store and Google Play metrics that App Annie uses for its reports come from App Annie intelligence data, which is designed to offer global market data to publishers. As always, revenue estimates include paid downloads and in-app purchases, but not in-app advertising.

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Top Rated Comments

bacaramac Avatar
155 months ago
Nintendo, you reading this. Develop for iOS and save yourself.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
haruhiko Avatar
155 months ago
I would have spent much more if Nintendo released their classic games on the App Store.:(
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
trip1ex Avatar
155 months ago
This shows you one reason why Nintendo won't make games for iOS.

The 3ds and Vita have maybe an install base of 40 million worldwide right now and I'm rounding up.

The install base of smartphones is 1500 million.

37.5 times that of the 3ds/Vita install base.

Yet revenue of all games from all these small developers is only 4x that of the 3DS/Vita.

Then when you realize Nintendo accounts for most of that game revenue on the 3ds and that Vita game revenue is miniscule then you see one of the good reasons why they won't make games on iOS/Android.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ironman159 Avatar
155 months ago
Fact: if ports of Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart were released for iPhone, they would stay in the top 10 paid apps forever.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MattSepeta Avatar
155 months ago
Im surprised by this news.




Said no one, ever.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
apolloa Avatar
155 months ago
Sadly so for Sony and especially Nintendo. At least Sony's PS plays Bluray discs. Who would have thought this before the advent of the App store and Google play.

They are like steamrollers, flattening everything in their path.

Eh what? You are proclaiming the entire console market is deteriorating? Because that is what your blueray comment implies. So....

hahahaha erm NO! It's about to be boosted like never before with new consoles, and unless you don't play console games or have lived under a rock, the console market is a massive part of the games industry which is worth more than the television industry, and that's globally.

So sorry to burst your bubble, but consoles aren't going anywhere and you are NEVER going to be able to match gameplay like The Last Of Us on a mobile or tablet. The big screen experience is too good.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)