My addled brain has been slow to recognize the proliferation of gaming phones. Who knew there was such a creature? The need for a more sophisticated phone follows the incessant demand for mobile gaming.

GROWTH OF GAMING PHONES SOFTWARE

The mobile gaming market has been on steroids for the past ten years, topping revenues of $315 Billion for 2024, and more companies are jumping into the business.

Now, clamp your jaw shut and consider this mindboggling statistic from RV Technologies:

Today, there are nearly 2.2 Billion (sic) active mobile gamers across the globe. If you add weekend warriors to this list, nearly half of the global population is likely to be playing some sort of mobile game at any given point in time.

My mind is frazzled. To keep the world entertained, games have transitioned from 2D to extensive graphics, delivering a more realistic experience.

Why is mobile gaming so popular?

• Anytime/anywhere play. Think: I don’t have to talk to anyone around me, watch the scenery, or worry that the world will destroy itself any minute. A great escape.
• The game is casual—no fierce competition.
• Many games are free to play. Did you realize that Netflix, LinkedIn, and YouTube now offer mobile games?
• You have bragging rights to your accomplishments by sharing your scores and triumphs on social media.

GAMING PHONES GROWING SOPHISTICATION

To keep up with the increasingly sophisticated games, phone manufacturers are tailoring their hardware to meet the challenge. While many gaming phones are available, the review of the Red Magic gaming phones took my breath away. A heavy-duty battery…game mode cooling fan…do not disturb automatically activates when game mode is on…touch-sensitive side keys. Really? Oh, and you can use it as a cell phone as well.

HEALTH BENEFITS REGARDING GAMING PHONES

Some proponents point out the positives of mobile gaming for children:

• Develops strategic thinking and problem-solving, broadens imagination, and boosts memory.
• Promotes exercise. What, you say? Yes, Pokémon Go is a popular one. For those of us who are clueless, the app uses location tracking and mapping technology to create a place in real locations where players can catch and train the Pokémon (pocket monsters).
• Brings families together when employing group play.
• Enhances education while using games that test knowledge of science or other academic areas. For instance, when playing Zoombinis (recommended for ages 3-12), children must solve logic puzzles to help the tiny furry-blue creatures find their way home.

HEALTH CONCERNS REGARDING GAMING PHONES

Not everyone is on board with the descent into mobile gaming. Charlotte Osborne states that games are designed so that users will become addicted. By providing frequent dopamine hits for low efforts, developers ensure we will keep coming back. Then, too, is the issue of FOMO (fear of missing out). Many run limited events and suck us into believing they are scarce and it’s urgent to play. This can raise our anxiety level.

Besides the fact that sitting in the same posture for long periods can be harmful to your body, gaming can rob your pocketbook. Many players shell out small sums to advance their play to the next level. These costs can add up.

(Note: In the early days I played Candy Crush. After reaching a certain level, I stalled. The game offered to move me forward for a mere $.99. My frugality refused. I finally quit playing when advancement took days.

GAMING PHONES LAST THOUGHT

Sigh. Call me old school. I am not interested in playing mobile games on my phone. The screen is just too small, my fingers are not nimble, and I got burned on Candy Crush. I’ll stick to playing solitaire on my Kindle.

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