Mobile game usage grew in 2013, but more slowly - report

Although mobile game usage amongst smartphone and tablet owners isn't growing as quickly as the rest of the mobile app market, it's still showing signs of healthy growth year-over-year. That's according to a new report from mobile analytics firm Flurry, which found that mobile game usage in 2013 grew 66 percent compared to 2012. This figure is relatively low compared to the overall 115 percent growth of the mobile app market in 2013, and indeed, games were one of the lowest rising categories overall, as noted by the below chart. However, Flurry says that those fearing that games on mobile are reaching saturation levels needn't worry just yet, as there's still plenty of growth to be found in the mobile games market. Overall growth, Flurry says, was driven by chat apps such as Line. Industry watchers expect the large distribution footprint of chat apps will also help further drive mobile game growth. Having said that, another recent report from Flurry found that the days of the holiday mobile game gold rush are fading, while finding success on the App Store nowadays can be down to finding your place as a "Middle Class" developers -- that is, mid-tail developers who focus on loyal fanbases and particular niches, and find notable success as a result.