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E-Business

Report Shows iOS, Google Play Gained in 1Bn Mobile Game Market

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International Data Corporation (IDC) and App Annie on Thursday released the Portable Gaming Spotlight, 2014 Review, a report that characterizes several key portable gaming trends and marketplace statistics for 2014.

Among other findings, the report found global portable game spending increased across all platforms between 4Q13 and 4Q14.

Spending was up more than 75 percent on Google Play, over 30 percent in the iOS App Store, and 5 percent on handheld game consoles (typified by Nintendo 3DS and Sony PlayStation Vita).

These growth rates include direct spending on digital and physical games but exclude all ad-related revenue.

Other Key Findings For 2014 Include:

The global installed base of smartphones and tablets that are regularly used for gaming topped one billion in late 2014 for the first time, while the installed base of handhelds declined marginally to approximately 175 million devices by the end of the year.

iOS continued to generate more direct spending on games than Google Play in 2014, although Google Play closed the gap significantly compared to 2013; in 4Q14 Google Play game spend exceeded that of handheld game spend by a healthy margin (while handheld games generated more direct revenue than Google Play games in 4Q13).

Gaming revenue continued to dominate mobile app stores, representing nearly three-quarters of total app spend in the iOS App Store in 4Q14 (and representing only about 30 percent of all app downloads) and was more than 90 percent of app spend on Google Play (and roughly 40 percent of app downloads) in the fourth quarter —both higher spending shares than in 4Q13.

“2014 saw a convergence of spending shares when viewed on a regional basis,” said Lewis Ward, director of Gaming at IDC. “iOS game spending grew relatively quickly in Asia/Pacific in 2014, for example, and Google Play performed better in North America last year than in 2013.

Ward added, “These shifts brought the app stores closer together from the standpoint of game spending by major region – and closer to the established regional distribution of spending on handheld games for devices like the Nintendo 3DS and Sony PlayStation Vita. This convergence trend implies that competition among portable game developers and publishers will remain fierce in 2015.”

“Games continued to make their presence felt in 2014 as more than 80 percent of combined iOS and Google Play consumer app spending in 4Q14 came from games,” said Bertrand Schmitt, CEO of App Annie. “This is an increase over the already impressive share that games captured in 4Q13 and exemplifies their ability to increasingly engage and monetize across a broad spectrum of mobile device owners. With games accounting for over 90 percent of consumer spending on Google Play in the latter half of 2014, along with Android’s increasing popularity worldwide, we expect to see steady revenue growth for mobile gaming this year given the ample opportunity to leverage this expanding user base.”

Ironically, there wasn’t great turnover at the apex of portable gaming last year: four of the top five grossing games on iOS in 2013 remained in the top 5 in 2014.

Of the top 5 grossing games on iOS in 2014, two of them were from the mobile gaming giant Supercell: Clash of Clans (Supercell); Candy Crush Saga (King); Puzzle & Dragons (GungHo Online); Game of War – Fire Age (Machine Zone) and Hay Day (Supercell).

Aside from slight shifts in order, the key difference between this list and the same top five list for all of 2013 is that Game of War – Fire Age replaced Electronic Arts’ The Simpsons: Tapped Out.

The top grossing game on Google Play in 2014 was Puzzle & Dragons and in the handheld market it was Pokémon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire (by Game Freak/Nintendo).

Three of the top five grossing titles in 2014 on both Google Play and handheld game console platforms were new top five grossing titles when compared to the same lists for 2013.

Most of 2014’s top grossing titles supported fairly robust online multiplayer features and rather deep leveling up and/or personalization capabilities and implying that more portable gaming sophistication is on tap for 2015.

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets.

With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries.

IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research, and Events Company.

And App Annie is the number one decision-making platform for the mobile app economy.

App Annie combines the analytics of one’s own apps with a granular understanding of the competition and market to provide a unique 360 degree view of one’s mobile business.

The App Annie platform is relied upon by over 90 percent of the top 100 publishers and more than 675,000 apps.

Customers of our Intelligence product include the likes of Electronic Arts, Google, LinkedIn, Line, Microsoft, Nexon, Nestle, Samsung, Tencent, Bandai Namco and Universal Studios.

The company has tracked over 79 billion downloads and more than US $24 billion in gross revenues to date, the industry leader by far. App Annie is a privately held global company of more than 300 employees headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, New York, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

The company is backed by leading venture investors including e.Ventures, Greycroft Partners, IDG Capital Partners, Institutional Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital with $94 million raised to date.

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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E-Business

Expert Urges FG to Leverage Digital Assets to Drive Diversification Goal

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The need to maximise local digital assets, amid dwindling Oil revenues and a struggling economy, has been reiterated by the Chief Executive Officer of Quomodo Systems Africa, Oluwole Asalu, who maintained this measure remains the path to prosperity.

Asalu, while addressing the press in Lagos, recently asserted that global shift towards digital economies, presents a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria at this time to mobilise sufficient resources towards effective governance.

He emphasised harnessing the burgeoning local digital economy to expedite national diversification goals, while break away from overdependence on oil output.

Asalu, boasted further that Nigeria’s tech-savvy, youthful population and increasing recognition from global tech giants already position its digital sector as a driver of inclusive growth and job creation.

“Nigeria’s overreliance on oil is no longer tenable. As global markets shift towards renewable energy, the urgency to diversify has never been greater. Technology stands out as the most promising avenue, not merely as a sector, but as an enabler of growth across all facets of the economy,” he explained.

According to him, Nigeria’s tech talent remains the new oil, a renewable resource with the potential for significant returns, if strategically harnessed.

Like India’s successes in information technology services, Asalu want Nigeria to tap into lucrative outsourcing industry to draw foreign investment.

“Foreign investment in Nigeria’s tech sector is rising. Programmes like Digital Explorers have led European firms such as Telesoft to establish operations in Nigeria. Tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook have followed suit, injecting capital and creating jobs,” he stated.

He again pointed to the emergence of three unicorns within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem as a breakthrough and sign of maturity.

“Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is already showing signs of maturity, with three unicorns emerging from its soil. These success stories, powered by local innovation, underscore the viability of a home-grown, world-class tech sector,” he affirmed.

He however emphasized urgent need to close existing gap in skills and infrastructure, in addition to embracing governance and collaboration to fully harness digital potential cum future.

 


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MRA Flags AI Concerns ahead of Press Freedom Day Today

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Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has unveiled a visual brief emphasizing the critical need for responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, particularly within Nigeria’s evolving media environment.

MRA Flags AI Concerns ahead of Press Freedom Day Today

This is coming ahead of World Press Freedom Day today.

The visual brief, developed under this year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” explores the opportunities and dangers AI poses to media freedom in Nigeria and across the world.

In a statement released in Lagos by John Gbadamosi, its programme officer,MRA noted that AI is quickly changing the way news is produced and consumed, adding that it offers powerful tools that can assist journalists in analysing data, translating stories into local languages, and extend the reach of vital information, especially to underserved areas with limited media infrastructure.

Gbadamosi added that AI can help to ensure that essential news and information are also disseminated to local communities.

However, Gbadamosi warned that the same technology is being weaponised to undermine truth and press freedom, saying: “While AI can be used to advance journalism, it can just as easily be exploited to spread disinformation, create deepfakes, and drown out independent voices with algorithmically generated propaganda.”

According to him, “In Nigeria, journalists face threats that go beyond just physical dangers; such threats now also encompass digital, algorithmic, and systemic harms and challenges, which requires media professionals to ensure that AI enhances, rather than undermines, media freedom and that technology is used to promote the truth, not distort it.”

“The visual brief breaks down key concepts like misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, and information overload, which are increasingly shaping Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem. It also raises concerns about AI-enabled surveillance, political manipulation, and the marginalisation of community-based journalists.”

Gbadamosi stated that the visual brief also advocates support for independent media, transparent AI regulations aligned with Nigeria’s context, increased digital literacy, and stronger accountability from tech companies regarding platform content and influence.

He therefore urged all stakeholders to advocate for responsible AI usage and a free, independent, professional and vibrant media environment in Nigeria, stressing that “when media freedom thrives, democracy lives.”


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Nigerians to Pay More for IDs as NIMC Raises Service Fees

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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised the fees for all its products and services, including charges related to data modification on the National Identification Number (NIN) database.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, announced that the updated service fees are published on the commission’s official website.

Adegoke noted that the new pricing structure for NIMC’s services and products marks the first comprehensive review of its fees in over a decade.

The statement stated that the revised pricing is designed to align with prevailing operational costs and industry standards, while continuing to ensure that services remain accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.

The statement warned its Front-End Partners (FEPs) to comply with the newly approved rates, stating that any failure to do so could attract strict sanctions, including possible license revocation.

“The new structure ensures that the quality and integrity of our services remain uncompromised. We are committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians through fair and transparent pricing,” the statement read.

NIMC urged the public to report any Front-End Partners (FEPs) found charging beyond the approved rates. Reports can be directed to the Commission’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit via email at ieu@nimc.gov.ng

It further reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and dependable identity services. A complete list of the revised service fees can be accessed on its official website at www.nimc.gov.ng.

In a related development, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), expressed sincere appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support in enhancing the National Identity Database (NIDB).

She also extended her gratitude to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and other key partners for their pivotal roles in advancing a sustainable and effective identity management system.

 


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