According to Mobile Gaming 2014, the latest report from The NPD Group, those who play on a smartphone, iPod touch, or tablet are playing more often and for longer periods of time than two years ago. In fact, the average time spent playing during a typical day has increased 57 percent, to more than two hours per day in 2014 versus one hour and 20 minutes in 2012.
The growth of the tablet market, as well as continued improvement of tablet technology, has seen these devices become central to the mobile gaming story. Tablet gamers are also more likely to pay for games and to spend more money on average than gamers on other mobile platforms.
The average number of playing sessions is shown to be at its highest between players ages 6 to 44. However, the average number of minutes per session peaks during the tween years, and then falls during the teenage and early adult years.
Kids ages 2 to 12 are spending the greatest proportion of their device time on gaming versus other activities. This age group also plays more games—an average of five—as well as more games that were paid for—an average of three. The average amount of money spent by this age group over the past 30 days on new games, as well as in-game purchases, is also one of the highest, second only to mobile gamers in the 25 to 44 age group.
