Global mobile game revenue is expected to hit...

Global mobile game revenue is expected to hit $28.9 billion by 2016, Juniper Research projected in a report released Wednesday. That would be more than 38 percent higher than the $20.9 billion expected for 2014, it said. Due to the “domination” of casual gamers playing free-to-play titles, developers’ approaches have shifted away from “bulk acquisition” of unique players, it said in a news release. Under the new strategy, developers are increasing lifetime value by analyzing, “re-engaging” and monetizing users, allowing for higher returns on investment, it said. Tablet users will spend more on in-game purchases and generate more revenue per device than smartphone users, it projected. Despite the mobile game growth, dedicated game devices such as the PS4 and Xbox One will “continue to serve a niche gaming audience,” it predicted. Console game software will increasingly “embrace elements” of mobile games, as “reflected by” the introduction of PlayStation Now, Sony’s coming cloud game service that will let users play games through online streaming on a per-game or subscription basis, said Juniper.