Mobile gaming has had a phenomenal year, although there haven't been as many flagship games released directly to the traditional App Store and Google Play Store platforms in 2020. Instead, this year has seen some notable indie alternatives and hits on mobile, alongside with older titles that have become huge trends in the world of mobile gaming. Cloud gaming has also become a much higher priority in 2020, and is sure to grow exponentially in 2021 as we see services like Google Stadia, Xbox Games Pass, and Amazon Luna expand to more devices. and smartphones. We've rounded up five of the highlights of 2020 in mobile gaming, which has been a seminal year for gaming, even without the release of the new PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles.
1. Google Stadia is coming to mobile phones
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(Image credit: Google) The first big new trend in smartphone gaming was being able to play premium titles on your phone through cloud gaming. Google Stadia may have launched in 2019, but it debuted on smartphones in February of this year. It was only supported on a small list of smartphones, including the Google Pixel 4, the Samsung Galaxy S20 for starters, as well as some dedicated gaming phones. Then in June the rollout continued as we saw Stadia coming to other Android devices. Google Stadia also debuted on iPhone, albeit in a very specific way, but that means most smartphones can now connect to the service. This means you can play high-end titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Watch Dogs: Legion on your smartphone via the cloud, which was unthinkable a few years ago.
2. Genshin Impact offers the Breath of the Wild clone on your phone
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(Image credit: Mihoyo) What do you get if you come across Breath of the Wild with a massively multiplayer RPG? Genshin Impact, what is it? A game that is on its way to becoming one of the best mobile releases of all time. Genshin Impact became an instant hit with gamers when it released in September, managing to generate €60 million in revenue in its first week on sale. It is now approaching €500 million after less than three months of sales, averaging around €6 million a day for developer miHoYo. Genshin Impact shows how major Chinese publishers have more of a say in the video game industry, with Tencent Interactive Entertainment, a division of Tencent, continuing to invest heavily in companies like Ubisoft, Paradox Interactive, PlatinumGames, and Epic Games.
3. Among Us becomes a big hit on mobile devices
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(Image credit: Steam) In 2020, everyone has been "known" at one point or another. Although it has been out for a few years now, Among Us has experienced a stratospheric rise in popularity in 2020, reaching 275 million downloads so far. The peak of interest started around August and peaked in September, but it is still one of the most popular games. The very definition of a great board game, Among Us' success stems from its mass appeal and the hilarious results that ensue when the evil imposter is thrown from the spaceship. With the world in lockdown due to Covid-19, this is a great social outing for people. It's hard to predict whether Among Us' success will continue in 2021, especially since the game is now available on more platforms. However, the ease of use and the ability to play anywhere is definitely an advantage that Onf Us on mobile has over PC and consoles.
4. PUBG Mobile has another great year
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PUBG Mobile on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 (Image credit: Aakash Jhaveri) PUBG may have been somewhat overshadowed by Fortnite in the console space, but its transition to mobile has been an incredible success. The battle royale formula has attracted millions of players and despite a surprise ban in India, it continues to attract users with its regular updates and new content. In fact, it pulled in a staggering €2.6 billion in sales this year alone, making it the highest-grossing title ever. The game has naturally been adapted to be more forgiving and less realistic on mobile, but all the building blocks of what makes PUBG so addictive are alive and well. Whether it's diving into contested areas or beating the odds to win a hotly contested chicken dinner, the future for PUBG Mobile is hugely bright.
5. Xbox games are available on mobile phones and tablets
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(Image credit: Microsoft) Formerly known as Project xCloud, Microsoft introduced its Xbox Game Pass to smartphones this year with a Stadia-like cloud gaming experience, practically. Launched in September as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft's streaming service lets you play premium games like Forza Horizon 4, Doom Eternal, and hundreds more right on your phone using a controller. Some games are also compatible with touch screens. Unlike Google Stadia, though, they're all included in one subscription cost. You'll have to pay monthly for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to get access to it, but it lets you play the best titles on your smartphone or tablet, regardless of your device's processing power. Cloud gaming is expected to be a huge trend in 2021 and beyond, and Amazon recently joined the Amazon Luna fray. So if you're looking for a cheap way to game without making a huge investment in a new game console, this could be the solution.