Mobile Game Engine Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Solution, Services), By Type (2D, 3D, Others), By Genre, By Operating System (iOS, Android, Cross Platform), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Mobile Game Engine Market Size & Trends

The global mobile game engine market size was estimated at USD 1.19 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.1% from 2024 to 2030. The growth of the market is driven by the rising popularity of e-sports and online gaming, which boast millions of players and fans globally. The demand for high-quality video games on mobile, PC, and console platforms is fueling the growth of the market. Technological advancements have enabled developers to create games with stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and realistic physics, increasing the demand for these platforms as they strive to compete in the competitive gaming industry.

These platforms are not just limited to gaming but are increasingly used for non-gaming applications, such as architectural visualization, training simulations, and virtual reality experiences. This trend is driven by the increasing availability of powerful platforms that can be adapted for various applications, offering advantages over traditional 3D modeling and animation software like real-time rendering, interactive simulations, and support for multiple platforms. The market is also benefiting from the growing number of game development schools and courses that provide training in these technologies. As more developers become proficient in this technology, they can create more advanced and sophisticated games, driving demand for a more powerful gaming platform.

Furthermore, augmented and virtual reality technologies have revolutionized the way people interact with digital content, including video games. The market has embraced these technologies and integrated AR and VR capabilities into game engines, enabling developers to create immersive user experiences. AR technology overlays digital information in the real world, while VR technology creates a fully immersive virtual environment. Both technologies require sophisticated platforms to create and render digital content, making them essential market components. AR and VR technologies are transforming the gaming industry, providing users with an immersive experience that was once only possible in science fiction. With AR, players can use their smartphones or wearable devices to interact with the game world more naturally. For example, players can use their phone's camera to capture real-world images and then use those images to create an AR experience.

Developers are seeking game engines that can target multiple platforms, such as PC, console, and mobile, to maximize their audience reach. Increasingly, developers are adopting cloud-based engines for real-time collaboration and streamlined workflows. These engines provide a centralized platform for team members to work together and improve productivity while reducing development time. Some developers are also exploring engines that offer blockchain integration, allowing for the creation of decentralized games with blockchain-based economies.

Industry Dynamics

The market growth stage is high, and the pace of the market growth is accelerating. This is largely due to the increasing demand for mobile games and the growing popularity of mobile gaming worldwide. As more and more people use their smartphones and tablets to play games, the demand for high-quality and engaging mobile games rises. Game developers are turning to mobile game engines to create more advanced and sophisticated games that run smoothly on mobile devices.

The mobile game engine market is seeing an increasing number of merger and acquisition (M&A) activities by the leading players underlying a dynamic industry landscape. This trend highlights, the industry’s dynamic nature with companies seeking to stay ahead of the competition by acquiring or merging with other companies. These activities can lead to new opportunities for growth and innovation, as companies gain access to new technologies, talent, and intellectual property.

The mobile game engine market is also subject to moderate regulatory scrutiny. This is due to concerns about the potential for harmful content, especially in mobile games that are accessed by children. Governments and regulatory bodies around the world have responded by implementing laws and regulations to protect consumers and ensure that games are safe and appropriate for all ages. In addition, there are also concerns about the use of microtransactions and loot boxes in mobile games, which can be seen as a form of gambling. Some countries have already implemented regulations to restrict or ban these practices, while others are considering doing so.

End-user concentration is a significant factor in the mobile game engine market. The growth of the mobile game engine market is driven by the increasing demand for high-quality mobile games among end-users, who are looking for immersive and engaging gaming experiences. As a result, game developers are focusing on developing advanced game engines that can deliver high-quality graphics, realistic audio, and smooth gameplay to satisfy end-users' needs. In addition, game engines that support multiple platforms, including iOS and Android, are gaining popularity among end-users since they offer flexibility and convenience.

Component Insights

Solution components accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023. The rising popularity of multiplayer game applications in competitive gaming tournaments like Counterstrike: Global Offensive Major Championships, eSports World Convention, Evolution Championship Series, and others has led to an increase in the market. This is due to the growing demand for high-quality gaming experiences on mobile platforms. The growth of the solution component is a result of the increasing complexity of game development, as game developers continually search for new ways to enhance the quality of their games and provide players with more engaging and immersive experiences.

Services components are expected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Services that enable developers to emphasize product engagement and foster AR experience traction can be complex software systems that require specialized knowledge and technical expertise to implement, customize, and maintain. Therefore, companies often provide a range of services to support their customers, including training, technical support, consulting, and custom development. These services can help game developers and publishers save time and money by outsourcing specific tasks like engine integration or content creation to experienced professionals.

Operating System Insights

Android operating system accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023. The factor driving growth in the market for Android is the increasing demand for high-quality mobile games. As the number of Android users continues to grow, there is a corresponding increase in demand for engaging and entertaining mobile games. Game engines enable developers to create high-quality games that can be played on Android devices, helping to meet this demand. The Android mobile game engine market is also benefiting from the increasing availability of cloud-based game development platforms, which enable developers to create and test games more efficiently. This has led to a surge in demand for cloud-based game engines, particularly among small and medium-sized game development companies.

iOS operating system is expected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The key factor driving growth in the market for iOS is the increasing demand for high-quality mobile games. With the growing number of iOS users, there is a corresponding increase in demand for engaging and entertaining mobile games. Mobile game engines enable developers to create high-quality games that can be played on iOS devices, helping to meet this demand. Another factor driving growth is the increasing availability of game engines that are specifically designed for iOS. Many game engines, such as Unity and Unreal Engine, offer support for iOS development, making it easier for developers to create games for the platform.

Type Insights

3D game engine type accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023. The growth is attributed to several factors, including high visual quality, efficient asset store management, intriguing gameplay, and intuitive design. Another significant factor driving the growth of 3D game engines is the increasing usage of virtual and augmented reality technologies in the gaming industry. These technologies require sophisticated 3D engines capable of rendering complex environments and interactions in real-time, leading to the development of specialized 3D engines for VR and AR. Furthermore, the growth of esports has also contributed to the growth of 3D game engines.

Others game engine type is expected to have a moderate CAGR during the forecast period. This segment is anticipated to grow with the highest CAGR due to the trend of gamers demanding modern video games with significantly more immersion than regular 3D video games. The market is diverse and continues to evolve rapidly driven by the changing needs and preference of game developers, publishers, and players. Such engines require powerful hardware to support the addition of extra dimensions. Moreover, the segment is expected to grow the fastest as the 4D and 5D game engines are predicted to help deliver the next generation of video games.

Genre Insights

Action & adventure genre accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023. The action and adventure genres are experiencing a surge in popularity, thanks to open-world games. These games offer players the chance to explore expansive virtual environments and interact with numerous characters and objects. The reason behind the popularity of open-world games is the enhanced power of gaming consoles and computers that can support the complex graphics and physics necessary for these games. Additionally, the growth of mobile gaming has also played a significant role in the increased popularity of the action and adventure genre. Many of these mobile games are designed to be played in short bursts, making them an ideal choice for gamers on the go.

MOBA genre segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 19.7% during the forecast period. The robust growth in the esports industry can be attributed to its increasing popularity. MOBA games like League of Legends and Dota 2 have played a significant role in the rise of esports. These games have been major players in the industry, with large tournaments and professional leagues drawing huge crowds and offering substantial prize pools. As a result, a competitive gaming scene has been created, which attracts both casual and professional gamers alike.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for a market revenue share of 29.6% in 2023, driven by the region's high smartphone penetration rate, increasing demand for advanced gaming experiences, and the presence of major gaming companies. Innovations in AR and VR technologies, coupled with the rising popularity of indie games, further boost the market growth.

U.S. Mobile Game Engine Market Trends

The U.S. mobile game engine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% from 2024 to 2030. Technological advancements, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), alongside the growth of 5G networks, enhance mobile gaming experiences, driving demand for sophisticated game engines. The presence of major tech companies and a thriving indie developer community fosters innovation and competition.

Europe Mobile Game Engine Market Trends

Europe mobile game engine market is expected to witness a CAGR of 17.7% from 2024 to 2030. The region's strong digital infrastructure supports advanced gaming technologies, while a rich gaming culture fosters demand for diverse gaming experiences. Europe's stringent data protection laws encourage the development of secure and user-friendly gaming platforms. Additionally, the presence of numerous indie developers and gaming startups, along with substantial investments in AR and VR technologies, propels market expansion. Lastly, government support for the digital entertainment industry further accelerates market growth in this region.

Mobile game engine market in Germany is expected to witness a CAGR of 16.5% from 2024 to 2030. Germany has become a hub for developers specializing in mobile game engines. The market benefits from the presence of leading gaming companies and startups, fostering innovation in AR and VR technologies. Additionally, stringent data protection laws ensure secure gaming environments, attracting more users.

U.K. mobile game engine market is accounted for a market revenue share of 22.7% in 2023. This surge is further fueled by the escalating demand for high-quality game graphics and seamless gameplay experiences on smartphones and tablets. Developers are increasingly seeking game engines that offer robust support for cross-platform development, enabling games to be launched on multiple operating systems without extensive modifications.

Mobile game engine market in France is expected to witness a CAGR of 18.4% from 2024 to 2030 due to the surging demand for high-quality game graphics and seamless gameplay experiences on smartphones and tablets. With the increasing popularity of mobile gaming among French users, developers are actively seeking game engines that provide robust support for cross-platform development.

Asia Pacific Mobile Game Engine Market Trends

Asia Pacific market accounted for the highest market share of over 39.1% in 2023 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 19.0% from 2024 to 2030, driven by the increasing popularity of mobile gaming in the region. With the rise of smartphones and other mobile devices, mobile gaming has become a major source of entertainment for millions of people in the Asia Pacific region, leading to a surge in demand for mobile game engines. The key factor driving growth in the Asia Pacific market is the increasing number of game developers in the region.

Mobile game engine market in China is expected to witness a CAGR of 18.1% from 2024 to 2030 due to the massive and rapidly expanding user base of mobile gamers in the country. With one of the world's largest populations of smartphone users, China presents a lucrative market for mobile games. Additionally, the increasing disposable income among the Chinese middle class allows for greater spending on mobile gaming.

India mobile game engine market is expected to witness a CAGR of 21.3% from 2024 to 2030. As smartphones become more affordable, a larger section of the Indian population gains access to mobile gaming, fueling demand. Additionally, the country's rapidly improving internet infrastructure and the widespread availability of low-cost data plans make online gaming more accessible than ever.

Mobile game engine market in Japan is expected to witness a CAGR of 18.5% from 2024 to 2030. Japan has a long history of innovation in video games, and mobile gaming has become a popular extension of this tradition. With the majority of the population owning smartphones and having high-speed internet access, there's a massive audience for mobile games.

Middle East and Africa Mobile Game Engine Market Trends

The Middle East and Africa region is expected to witness a CAGR of 18.9% from 2024 to 2030 due to increasing penetration of smartphones, growing internet connectivity, and rising number of game development companies in the region. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and South Africa have seen a significant increase in the number of game development companies, leading to a corresponding increase in demand for mobile game engines.

Saudi Arabia mobile game engine market is expected to witness a CAGR of 18.2% from 2024 to 2030 due to the country's youthful demographic and high smartphone penetration rates. With one of the world's highest smartphone ownership rates, a substantial portion of the Saudi population, particularly youth, are avid mobile gamers.

Key Mobile Game Engine Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Unity Technologies, Epic Games, Inc., Valve Corporation, and among others.

• Unity Technologies has implemented several strategies to solidify its position as a market leader in the mobile game engine market. The key strategies used by the company is providing a user-friendly and accessible platform for game developers of all skill levels. Unity's drag-and-drop interface, visual scripting tools, and extensive documentation make it easy for developers to create mobile games without needing to know how to code.

• Epic Games Inc. has implemented several strategies to establish itself as a market leader in the mobile game engine market. One of its key strategies is providing developers with a powerful and flexible game engine, which can produce high-quality, visually appealing games that can be played on a variety of platforms.

Defold Foundation, GameSalad, CHUKONG CO, INC. are some of the emerging market participants in the programmatic advertising platform market.

• Defold Foundation has implemented several strategies to establish itself as a competitive alternative to Unity and Unreal Engine. One of its key strategies is providing a lightweight and efficient game engine that is easy to learn and use, making it ideal for indie game developers and small teams.

• GameSalad has implemented several strategies to establish itself as a competitive alternative to Unity and Unreal Engine. One of its key strategies is providing a drag-and-drop interface that enables developers to create mobile games without having to write any code.

Recent Developments

• In March 2023, Scirra Ltd. launched Construct Animate, which is a browser-based animation tool that helps developers set up sequences of movement over time in the Timeline Bar and export the animation as videos or in GIFs.

• In March 2023, Cocos released its Creator XR and X.R. content development software, which helps content creators develop and participate in metaverse creation at low cost.

• In February 2023, Unity Software Inc. introduced a new Decentralization category page in the Unity Asset Store. The decentralized context refers to the game ownership model that allows players to create, earn, and obtain in-game resources.

Mobile Game Engine Market Report Scope

Global Mobile Game Engine Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global mobile game engine market report based on component, type, genre, operating system, and region.

• Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Solution

  • Services

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • 2D Game Engine

  • 3D Game Engine

  • Others

• Genre Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Action & Adventure

  • Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)

  • Real-time Strategy

  • Role-playing Game

  • Sandbox

  • Shooter

  • Simulation & Sports

  • Others

• Operating System Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • iOS

  • Android

  • Cross Platform

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • UAE

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa