Technology & IT | Thursday 12 July, 2018 3:03 am |

The popularity of mobile gaming has grown substantially in recent years thanks to smartphones. Currently, games played on mobiles and smartphones account for a third of all global games, and that is estimated to increase to half in the future.

The MENA region enjoys a massive population of online gamers - 587 million in 2017 according to Newzoo and unlocking this kind of potential would have an enormous impact on the mobile industry*.

The upsurge in mobile gaming has led to a growing demand for devices that meet specific requirements, i.e. optimized video and sound quality. The new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ features enhancements that allow the devices to take mobile gaming to the next level. 

Screen resolution is one of the most important graphics settings when it comes to visual quality of games, high resolution gives sharper and detailed images. Both the 5.8-inch Galaxy S9 and the 6.2-inch S9+ have Samsung’s latest Super AMOLED Infinity Displays, which feature key improvements that magnify the great qualities of Galaxy smartphones’ signature screen. 

Further, audio quality is key in terms of making the whole gaming experience immersive and realistic. Samsung S9 and S9+have powerful, AKG-tuned stereo speakers to pump out audio that’s not only loud, but also rich and balanced, regardless of volume.

A report by PwC estimates that the global videogames market will be worth $93bn by 2019 and the MENA is one of the fastest growing gaming regions in the world. The sector presents a lucrative prospect for development and companies are now pumping money into creating an ecosystem for mobile gaming.

Putting gamers in full control, Samsung has introduced a Game Launcher app which is essentially a one-stop hub for all things mobile gaming, featuring tools designed to help users get the most out of their gaming experience. 

There is a growing trend towards more immersive digital entertainment, from movies to games with Virtual Reality spelling out the future of online gaming. This means the gadget makers need to catch up and innovate to cater to the increasing demand.

Game Launcher’s customizable tools allow users to specify exactly how they’d like their phones to behave when they’re gaming, which makes it easier for users to engross themselves in the on-screen action.

Most new games are now accompanied with online components offering players a more captivating and well-rounded experience. Whether the player is competing in extreme sports, car races or battling it out in a different time period, the amount of choice available is incredible. 

Through Samsung’s Game Launcher app, gamers are able to turn off notifications, lock navigation buttons, and mute games’ sound. The app also enables users to easily record videos and capture in-game screenshots, and features modes to boost performance and save power. Downloaded games are automatically placed in an icon format in the Game Launcher app, which also makes it easy to discover exciting new games and build a collection. 

The Newzoo report names Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia as top three countries leading gaming growth. That comes as little surprise considering the fact that both UAE and Saudi Arabia are among the countries with the highest smartphone penetrations in the world, standing at 80.6 and 65.2 percent, respectively. So there is a lot more room for growth as opportunities existing within the MENA mobile gaming market are unlimited.