October 18th 2024.
The world of mobile gaming is a fierce battleground, with new games constantly vying for the top spot. While some, like Call Of Duty: Mobile and Warzone, have been hugely successful on consoles, their mobile versions have not been able to replicate the same level of popularity.
Despite Call Of Duty being a household name in the gaming world, the success of its mobile spin-off often goes unnoticed, especially in Western markets. Developed by TiMi Studio Group, the team behind other popular titles like Arena Of Valor and Pokémon Unite, Call Of Duty: Mobile has managed to rake in an impressive $3 billion in lifetime revenue since its release in 2019.
In fact, according to Activision's financial results from Q2 2023, more than half of all engagement with the Call Of Duty franchise comes from the mobile version. This success prompted the company to launch a mobile version of its popular battle royale mode, Warzone, earlier this year. However, it has not been able to achieve the same level of success as its predecessor.
According to gaming journalist Stephen Totilo's Game File newsletter, Warzone Mobile has only made $13 million in revenue within the first six months of its release, while Call Of Duty: Mobile made a whopping $144 million in the same time frame. These numbers are also reflected in the launch figures, with Warzone Mobile only managing to bring in $1.4 million in consumer spending within its first four days, compared to Call Of Duty: Mobile's $17.7 million in the first week.
While these numbers may seem impressive for most developers, they fall short of Activision's expectations for the Call Of Duty franchise. This is not an isolated incident, as other games in the same genre have also struggled in recent years. EA shut down Apex Legends Mobile and stopped development on Battlefield Mobile, while Ubisoft faced delays with their mobile versions of Rainbow Six and The Division.
The next big release in the mobile gaming world is Destiny: Rising, a collaboration between NetEase and Bungie. However, given the recent track record, it seems increasingly difficult to achieve success in the mobile space, especially with heavy hitters like Candy Crush Saga and Honor Of Kings dominating the market.
While the mobile market is currently the most profitable in the gaming industry, recent reports suggest that it is starting to plateau. In an interview with Chinese developer Amazing Seasun Games, the executive producer behind Mecha Break shared how the Chinese market has become oversaturated, leading to a shift towards developing games for PC and console, such as the highly anticipated Black Myth Wukong.
Even big players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have made moves into the mobile market, as they look to expand their revenue beyond consoles. However, not all mobile ventures have been successful, as Nintendo has shut down several of its mobile games over the years.
As for the Call Of Duty franchise, fans can expect to see more action on the console front with the upcoming release of Black Ops 6 on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC on October 25. But for those who prefer to game on their smartphones, Call Of Duty: Mobile and Warzone will continue to offer thrilling gameplay experiences. Don't forget to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all the latest gaming news and releases. And for our readers, don't hesitate to submit your own letters and features through our Submit Stuff page for a chance to be featured on our site.
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