Mobile game downloading on the up, says comScore

8.5 million US mobile users downloaded a game in November 2008 - a 17 per cent increase year-on-year. However, that's still just 3.8 per cent of total mobile users.

The number of people who played a downloaded mobile game (as opposed to actually downloading one) in November was a healthier 20.5 million - 8.9 per cent of total subscribers.

However, comScore has chosen to highlight the popularity of mobile gaming among smartphone users. 34 per cent of mobile game downloaders in November were smartphone users.

iPhone is now the most popular gaming handset, according to comScore - it accounted for 14 per cent of mobile game downloaders in November.

Better still, 32.4 per cent of all iPhone users surveyed by comScore said they downloaded at least one game in the month. This is the key stat for Apple to take heart from.

comScore certainly seems positive. "As the mobile phone has evolved into a better platform for both playing and merchandising games, the games being offered have also been improved, drawing in a broader user base," says senior analyst Mark Donovan.

"Over the past year, we have seen mobile gaming expand into a broadening demographic, with strongest growth among teens, who previously eschewed their mobile device in favor of handheld gaming devices, and those 35 and older."

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