'Peak PC' - 1.5 billion units in 2012 - took 36 years.
That's already the install base for smartphones, said Unity CEO David Helgason, introducing his Nordic Game 2013 talk.
Taking a broad, strategic view, he unpicked the reasons for 'the energy that's in the mobile games business'.
Faster, faster pussycat
One example is what he called the half-life of content.
For films and music, it take decades or longer for things to go out of fashion.
Helgason argued that for PC and console games, this is severely reduced to 2-3 years.
And for mobile games, it's 0.5 to 2 years.
"This isn't the graphics. This is the social aspects. The business model. It's a very short cycle, which is scary for developers," he said.
But, Helgason argued, the short half-life of content increases the power that creators as a whole have in the business value chain.
"This is what is creating these incredible opportunities," he said.
Speed of thought
This has implications for your multi-platform approach when you have a hit game.
Obviously, this is something Unity is helping out with, particularly now its iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry game engine is available for free.
And more generally, Helgason pointed to the industry's sheer pace as a reason for its innovation.
"Everything you did last year to be successful won't be useful this year," he said.
"It's a scary thing, but that makes it a good opportunity for new, fresh companies. You at least have as much chance as the incumbents."
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Top Stories
News
2 hours, 49 minutes ago
Mobile legend Stumble Guys is now on PlayStation 4 and 5 with cross-progression
Feature
7 hours, 40 minutes ago
Matej Lančarič's Squad Busters deep dive: Under the skin of 2024's biggest launch yet
Feature
12 hours, 56 minutes ago
53 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, Battle Guys: Royale, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Events
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |