Mobile esports as a segment of the digital gaming ecosystem

Abstract

Topicality. Mobile esports is one of the fastest growing areas of the video game industry, and differs from traditional esports (PC and console) in terms of higher accessibility, attracting a large audience, and prospects for international development. The emergence of mobile esports began in the early 2010s and is associated with the expansion of mobile devices and the availability of high-speed Internet. The relevance of the study is due to the rapid growth of this segment and the need to identify current trends in its development.

The purpose of the study is to identify and summarize the key trends in the development of mobile esports, taking into account technical innovations, economic models, features of social interaction and the formation of competitive platforms at the international level.

Material and methods of the study. The study used general scientific and special research methods: analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and statistical materials, content analysis of official reports and streaming platforms, a comparison method for comparing mobile and traditional esports, as well as a generalization of the results of previous studies in the field of mobile gaming.

Results of the study. It is proved that mobile esports is developing rapidly due to the high availability of mobile devices, the spread of free-to-play models, significant investments by developers and sponsors, and active user engagement through social networks and streaming platforms. Technological advances (improved smartphone performance, 5G, cloud technologies, AR and VR) are significantly expanding the boundaries of mobile competitions. At the same time, studies emphasize the importance of a balanced approach to gaming activity, as excessive enthusiasm can cause gaming addiction.

Conclusion. Mobile esports are becoming an important component of the international esports’ movement. Its rapid development is associated with a combination of technological factors (high performance devices, 5G networks), economic accessibility (free-to-play, microtransactions), and wide social opportunities (integration with social networks, streaming). This makes mobile esports a promising area for further research, professional development of players, and attraction of new investments.