Empowering 3 Billion Untapped Mobile Gamers

Mobile games constituted a staggering $110 billion of the $167 billion spent on the App Store in 2022, amounting to almost 66% of total revenue. The rise of mobile gaming has revolutionized the gaming industry, thanks to the widespread ownership of smartphones, by creating an expansive and increasingly accessible market. Despite an increasing adoption of mobile games, the journey towards complete connectivity in the gaming world is still hindered by persistent barriers of connectivity and access that continue to plague billions of potential gamers.

Research published in the International Journal of Communication highlight the existence of a “videoludic divide” among different social classes. This implies that while mobile gaming has diminished the socio-economic disparities in gaming between regions, certain socio-economic barriers still impede fuller participation in the gaming industry.

What are these barriers? How can we tackle them?

Macro Analysis — Barriers to Gaming

In a world with over 3 billion gamers, it is disheartening to realize that the vast majority are unable to access the major gaming titles that have become household names. Games like Halo, League of Legends, and World of Warcraft, which have become synonymous with gaming culture, remain out of reach for many due to the high costs associated with gaming PCs and next-gen consoles.

The solution, however, lies in our smartphones. With mobile gaming ravaging the world and disrupting the world of gaming as we know it, there are still issues of access and connectivity.

To truly understand the scope of these barriers, we need to delve into a macro analysis, where we can identify four overarching categories: barriers to access, connectivity, adoption, and infrastructure.

A closer look reveals that a staggering 43 percent of the African population lacks smartphone access as of February 2023. The primary culprit behind this disparity is the exorbitant cost associated with owning a smartphone. On average, a smartphone can consume over 30% of an individual’s monthly income, making it an unattainable luxury for many. Southeast Asia also grapples with similar challenges, where the cost of a mid-range smartphone can amount to two or more times the average monthly salary in countries like Vietnam and the Philippines. Consequently, the financial burden of smartphone ownership places additional strain on gamers’ budgets, leaving them unable to afford essential upgrades or even cope with the storage demands of gaming.

One of the major cost factors in rendering digital gaming content lies in the requirements set by gaming titles themselves. AAA titles, renowned for their high production values, demand significant resources from users, both in terms of hardware and finances. These titles often necessitate next-gen consoles or high-end graphics cards to run smoothly. Unfortunately, gamers on a budget face tremendous difficulties accessing these games. However, this issue extends beyond the players and affects developers as well. As a game’s hardware requirements increase, the pool of potential gamers who can access and enjoy it decreases. Thus, developers are forced to make a delicate trade-off between creating the “perfect” game while ensuring it remains playable for a wider audience.

Another significant barrier that stops gamers worldwide is connectivity. Issues such as network latency and unstable connections have a drastic impact on the gaming experience. Delays caused by network latency can vary depending on network speeds but can severely hamper a player’s progress, creating an unfair playing field. Gamers may find their experiences undermined or their in-game progress significantly delayed due to connectivity issues.

What does Aethir bring to the table?

In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, where accessibility and equality remain persistent issues, Aethir emerges as a potential solution that holds the promise of bridging the gaming inequality plaguing billions around the world. Positioned as the world’s largest decentralized cloud gaming network, Aethir brings forth a series of ground-breaking features that could revolutionize the industry and transform the gaming experience for all.

At the heart of Aethir’s vision lies the core principle of accessibility for all gamers, irrespective of the devices they own or their geographical location. By eliminating the need for expensive hardware, Aethir breaks down the barriers that have long hindered countless individuals from engaging with gaming. With Aethir, gamers can indulge in their passion and dive into immersive gaming experiences instantly, without any restrictions imposed by the limitations of their devices.

Speed and latency have always been critical factors in shaping the gaming experience, and Aethir takes this aspect to a whole new level. Boasting lightning-fast speeds and minimal latency, the network provides an environment that enables seamless gameplay, even for the most demanding experiences such as 3D, 4K, and virtual reality. By ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming experience, Aethir aims to elevate the enjoyment and satisfaction of gamers worldwide.

Aethir goes beyond just providing a gaming platform; it embraces the potential of Web3 integration. This seamless integration with the Web3 ecosystem opens a world of possibilities for gamers. With full access to Web3, users can enjoy the benefits of a decentralized and interconnected network. They have the power to effortlessly navigate across various blockchain networks, seamlessly porting tokens in and out of games and quickly converting them as desired. By merging the gaming world with the potential of Web3, Aethir paves the way for a more inclusive and expansive gaming experience.

In the backdrop of Aethir’s emergence, the hidden market of potential gamers, previously unable to access major gaming titles, may finally see the barriers crumble. The exorbitant costs of gaming PCs and next-gen consoles, which have long excluded many from the gaming landscape, might no longer be insurmountable hurdles. Through Aethir, a world with over 3 billion gamers can now dream of engaging with the iconic titles that have become synonymous with gaming culture.

As the industry grapples with the challenges of connectivity, accessibility, and equal opportunities, Aethir emerges as a beacon of hope. With its innovative approach and commitment to bridging gaming inequality, Aethir has the potential to reshape the gaming landscape and unleash the untapped potential of billions of gamers worldwide.