Tablet gaming ‘set for huge growth’

People who use a media tablet as a primary computing device for applications such as browsing the web and editing photos to be printed using ink supplies may also be turning to their gadget as a gaming platform.

It has been predicted by Juniper Research that the rapidly growing popularity of the machines will see global revenues for tablet games climb to $3.1 billion (£1.95 billion) by 2014, up from $491 million last year.

By 2016, these devices will account for almost a third of all income from mobile games, the study estimated, while over the same period the market for feature phone-based titles will halve.

According to the firm's report, the large screen size and excellent graphical capabilities of these gadgets will be key advantages over other mobile gaming products.

The latest iPad is one device that is highlighting its visuals as a major selling point, as the Retina display on the gadget offers users a higher resolution than a Full-HD television.

High-quality images allow users to experience greater detail, particularly when playing more hard-core titles, Juniper stated, although the majority of downloads will continue to be made up of social and casual games.

Titles that use console-style buttons on the touchscreen as a primary control method also work better on tablets than smartphones, as they obscure far less of the screen, it was noted.

Author of the report Charlotte Miller said these factors make tablets the "perfect device" for mobile gaming.

She added: "Tablet owners also tend to have a larger disposable income, as tablets are often bought outright rather than subsidised by operators," which will result in them being able to spend more on downloads and in-game items than other demographics.

Ms Miller stated: "Higher user satisfaction with games and a bigger wallet mean that tablet games look to be highly lucrative."