The report further notes that the Asia/Pacific region (including Japan) represents by far the largest market for mobile gaming, with end-user spending forecast to total $2.3 billion (Rs 9,851 crore) in 2008 and reach $3.4 billion (Rs 14,562 crore) by 2011.
The mobile-game market has outshone the PC (personal computers) and console game market in the emerging territories of Asia largely because of the low penetration of PCs compared with that of mobile devices. Though the market has potential, mobile gaming revenue will continue to lag behind other value-added entertainment services like music and adult content.
"Emerging market operators should make the most of the demand for mobile games and the low PC penetration in these regions and push game sales as a viable, albeit imperfect, lower-cost substitute to PC and console games," said Madhusudan Gupta, senior analyst at Gartner.
On the other hand Gartner points out that worldwide mobile gaming revenue is on pace to total $4.5 billion (Rs 19,273.5 crore) in 2008, a 16.1 per cent increase from 2007 revenue of $3.9 billion (Rs 16,703.7 crore).
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Gartner predicts that mobile gaming revenue will experience a CAGR of 10.2 per cent between 2007 and 2011 with worldwide end-user spending reaching $6.3 billion (26,282.9 crore) in 2011. Analysts said mobile operators and other game providers should build usage by offering game demos or advertising-funded games.
"Although current consumer interest in, and usage of, mobile gaming is generally low, the potential for growth remains lucrative, with the market skewed toward lower-income segments, mobile workers and smartphone and personal digital assistant (PDA) users," said Tuong Huy Nguyen, principal analyst at Gartner.
The mobile gaming market in Western Europe is expected to grow from $701 million (Rs 3002.38 crore) in 2008 to $862 million (Rs 3,691.94 crore) by 2011. The North American market is projected to grow from $845 million (Rs 3,619.13 crore) to approximately $1.2 billion (Rs 5,139.6 crore) in 2011.