Online Casual Games Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 20.48 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 27.56 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 6.12 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia-Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Need a report that reflects how COVID-19 has impacted this market and its growth?
Online Casual Games Market Analysis
The Online Casual Games Market size is estimated at USD 20.48 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 27.56 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.12% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to nationwide lockdowns, some people turned to game platforms to pass the time. Hence, these platforms attracted thousands of new visitors to online traffic. Video gaming trends are experiencing a massive surge in players and revenue.
- Rising internet access, greater smartphone penetration, and the introduction of high bandwidth network connectivity, such as 5G, have all contributed to an increase in online casual gaming demand. According to the GSMA research, by the beginning of last year, 170 mobile operators had started commercial 5G services with a 7population penetration by the end of last year, creating new prospects for mobile manufacturers to put 5G handsets into the market.
- The popularity of casual online games has expanded dramatically. Because of the ease and excitement they provide, they are the most popular and finest casual games worldwide. They have low system requirements. And while they are very engaging, they do not require the utmost focus. In other words, these games are a fantastic way to kill time. Furthermore, there are also some incredibly enjoyable games for children.
- Leveraging cloud technology in the casual games market is projected to drive demand and multiplayer engagement for various games, increasing market growth over the forecast period.
- Online gaming is the largest contributor to the overall gaming market. The continuous advancement of numerous technologies in computers, smartphones, and systems, such as processors, graphics, and other hardware and software, has resulted in the expansion of the online casual gaming sector. Furthermore, continuous advancements in network connectivity fuel the demand for casual online gaming.
- With the outbreak of COVID-19, the industry saw a positive development due to the increasing popularity of online multiplayer games, as individuals stayed at home for the longest time due to lockdowns imposed by various governments, as well as to avoid being impacted. Consumer engagement with mobile-based gaming is increasing significantly on the mobile platform, particularly in mobile-first markets, such as Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Online Casual Games Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Online Casual Games Market according to our research experts:
The Increasing Penetration of Internet and Smartphones Boosted the Demand for the Online Casual Games Market
- The mobile platform, such as smartphone gaming, has surged in the last few years. Last year, there were 228.7 million active mobile game players across the United States and Canada, marking a 4% year-over-year reduction compared to 2020 but a 9% increase over 2019.
- Moreover, according to App Annie, global consumer expenditure on mobile games exceeded USD 116 billion in 2021. As per the firm's recent State of Mobile 2022 study, this marked a 15% year-over-year growth.
- The smartphone gaming platform is rapidly expanding and represents a low-cost potential for investors, mobile developers, and publishers. It is also expected that by 2021, the number of mobile online gamers in Southeast Asia will reach 250 million.
- The release of 5G and unlimited data plans is also expected to be key factors toward the success of cloud gaming globally, as most gamers currently prefer games on mobile devices. The increasing services and investment in 5G infrastructure are also vital to this success. According to Ericsson, the number of 5G mobile subscriptions in the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to reach around 1,545 million by 2025.
- The market players have been targeting growth opportunities by investing in other parts of the world. For instance, Voodoo invested in Teskin, an Israeli casual game developer, in November 2021, and Teskin will join Voodoo's simple business section. However, both companies will operate independently and work on their respective initiatives. Teskin has accumulated over 20 million lifetime downloads across its portfolio of casual mobile games in just four years. It intends to increase its team size and invest in new casual games.
Asia-Pacific Region Expected to Increase its Market Share
- Asia-Pacific is expected to have a considerable market share in the gaming sector, with China, Japan, and South Korea displaying strong growth potential. With rising technological utilization, China is one of Asia's most important economies. Increasing exports and innovating new games and systems are important gaming drivers. China is one of the Asia-Pacific countries with a significant COVID-related increase in its gaming companies.
- Many significant players are making acquisitions and forming partnerships in Japan to strengthen their regional position. For instance, last year, the Japanese publisher Sega began a strategic agreement with Microsoft to develop the Super Games platform using the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.
- The availability of cheap internet and low-cost smartphones is a major driver of the development of casual games in India. According to the IAMAI research Unpacking a billion dollar industry: Digital games and sports in India, 2021, more than 43% of smartphone users play at least one casual game. India will have over 900 million mobile subscribers by 2023. 94% of India's 420 million casual gamers play on mobile devices.
- China produced USD 89.5 billion in income last year, according to figures from the Mobile Game Index 2nd Edition published by adjoe. The United States is second with USD 58.3 billion, followed by Japan with USD 50 billion. Also, last year, the number of app downloads in China (58.1 billion) was nearly equal to the rest of the globe (59.7 billion).
- According to the Gambling Insider Magzine, India is (arguably) one of the most distinct gaming marketplaces, owing to the wide range of games available and the diverse user base. Sports enthusiasts are interested in fantasy sports, esports is popular among Gen-Z and young adults, and card games (such as poker and rummy) are popular among all age groups. Throughout this, the casual gaming sector in India has grown dramatically in recent years, and it is expected to produce INR 169 billion in revenue by 2025 due to a rising user base and a little boost from the pandemic.
Online Casual Games Industry Overview
The online casual games market is fragmented and comprises many global and regional players such as Ubisoft Entertainment, Zynga Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Apple Inc. (Apple Arcade), and Konami Digital Entertainment. These players are majorly based in the Asia-Pacific region and focus on expanding their consumer base. These gaming developers are investing more in R&D activities to offer new solutions for gamers. The companies are also entering into strategic partnerships and other organic and inorganic growth strategies to earn a competitive edge.
- February 2022: Ubisoft announced that it would introduce its subscription service, Ubisoft+, to the Xbox platform in the future. Ubisoft+ gives gamers access to over 100 Ubisoft games, including new releases, DLC, and classics, as well as prizes, such as personalization items, boosters, and other in-game bonuses. Ubisoft+ is presently available on PC, Stadia, and Amazon Luna and will be accessible on Xbox.
Online Casual Games Market Leaders
Ubisoft Entertainment.
Zynga Inc.
Microsoft Corporation
Apple Inc. (Apple Arcade)
Konami Digital Entertainment
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Online Casual Games Market News
- February 2022: Ubisoft announced the expansion of La Forge, its successful R&D model, to multiple studios across the world, with teams now operating in Canada (Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Toronto), China (Ubisoft Chengdu, Ubisoft Shanghai), and France (Ubisoft Bordeaux). The UDC conference, Ubisoft's annual meeting dedicated to technological innovation in video game creation, includes a specific track on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- March 2022: Boss Fight Entertainment, a tiny independent video game firm situated in Allen, Texas, was acquired by Netflix. The streaming behemoth increases its reach into the lucrative video game business by developing its third gaming studio.
Online Casual Games Market Report - Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHT
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
4.2.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.2.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.3 Assessment of COVID-19 Impact on the Market - By Major Countries
4.4 Analysis on Casual Game Apps in Major Countries
4.4.1 United States
4.4.2 Japan
4.4.3 China
4.4.4 Germany
4.4.5 United Kingdom
4.4.6 Other Countries
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 The Increasing Penetration of Internet and Smartphones Boosted the Demand for the Online Casual Games Market
5.1.2 Rising Popularity of Cloud Gaming Encouraging the Expansion of the Gaming Industry
5.2 Market Challenges
5.2.1 Online Security One of the Major Challenges for Online Gaming
6. MARKET SEGMENTATION
6.1 By Type
6.1.1 Advertising
6.1.2 In-app Purchase
6.1.3 Paid App
6.2 By Geography
6.2.1 North America
6.2.1.1 United States
6.2.1.2 Canada
6.2.2 Europe
6.2.2.1 United Kingdom
6.2.2.2 France
6.2.2.3 Germany
6.2.2.4 Rest of Europe
6.2.3 Asia-Pacific
6.2.3.1 China
6.2.3.2 India
6.2.3.3 Japan
6.2.3.4 Rest of Asia Pacific
6.2.4 Latin America
6.2.5 Middle East and Africa
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
7.1 Company Profiles
7.1.1 Ubisoft Entertainment
7.1.2 Zynga Inc.
7.1.3 Microsoft Corporation
7.1.4 Apple Inc. (Apple Arcade)
7.1.5 Konami Digital Entertainment
7.1.6 Sega Corporation
7.1.7 Sony Corporation
7.1.8 Tencent Holdings Ltd
7.1.9 Nintendo Co. Ltd
7.1.10 Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
7.1.11 Betsson AB
7.1.12 Beijing Kunlun Tech Co. Ltd
- *List Not Exhaustive
8. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
9. FUTURE OUTLOOK OF THE MARKET
Online Casual Games Industry Segmentation
Casual online gaming is a video game played online and aimed at a broad market audience. Casual games can have any gameplay or genre. They usually have simpler rules, shorter sessions, and need less talent to learn. They do not expect to be familiar with a set of mechanics, controls, and cliches. The casual online games market tracks the adoption of different casual games played through various gaming types, such as advertising, in-app purchases, and paid apps.
The scope of the study includes apps that can be downloaded through major app stores, such as Apple Inc.'s App Store and the Google Play store, or, in China, from stores such as Huawei AppGallery and Tencent Appstore. The study also spots down the existing gaming developer landscape, which consists of major players operating in the market.
The online casual games market is segmented by type (advertising, in-app purchase, and paid app) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa).
The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD billion) for all the above segments.
| By Type | |
| Advertising | |
| In-app Purchase | |
| Paid App |
| By Geography | ||||||
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| Middle East and Africa |
Online Casual Games Market Research FAQs
How big is the Online Casual Games Market?
The Online Casual Games Market size is expected to reach USD 20.48 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 6.12% to reach USD 27.56 billion by 2029.
What is the current Online Casual Games Market size?
In 2024, the Online Casual Games Market size is expected to reach USD 20.48 billion.
Who are the key players in Online Casual Games Market?
Ubisoft Entertainment., Zynga Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Apple Inc. (Apple Arcade) and Konami Digital Entertainment are the major companies operating in the Online Casual Games Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Online Casual Games Market?
Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Online Casual Games Market?
In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Online Casual Games Market.
What years does this Online Casual Games Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Online Casual Games Market size was estimated at USD 19.30 billion. The report covers the Online Casual Games Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Online Casual Games Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Online Casual Games Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Online Casual Games market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Online Casual Games analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
