The rise of mobile gaming can’t be ignored. More of us are gaming on our phones than ever before, in fact, in the case of online casinos, more of us are gaming on our phones than on desktop. This is a seismic change and one that operators have two options to decide from - when it comes to facing it. Do they provide a mobile app, or do they provide a mobile optimized website? Or I suppose option three, do they provide both? Both options certainly have their merits, but I for one firmly believe that mobile apps generally offer a superior gaming experience. This is why!
Performance and Speed
Mobile apps use device hardware (like CPU and GPU) more effectively than the same games played in browsers. This means that not only can a lower quality handset actually play a mobile app, but even the same handset will be able to provide smoother and more responsive gameplay on an app versus a site. Hugely popular games such as ‘Call of Duty Mobile’ perform significantly better as apps because they can directly access device resources, resulting in better graphics and faster loading times. Try it! Download the app and login to the mobile site - see which you prefer.
Mobile apps also reduce loading times and latency. For certain games this maybe isn’t so important, but for others it really can be the difference between winning and losing. In games like chess, or even Megaways slots, and other casino classics, this difference is almost imperceptible. However, in games like PUBG or indeed Call of
Duty, that lag could be the difference between you shooting your opponent and them shooting you!
Updates and Maintenance
It’s not the sexiest reason on the list, but it is an incredibly important one. Apps can be updated regularly (and this part is crucial) without requiring user action. This means that whether you’re particularly safety conscious or not, your periodical app updates keep you safe - and upgrade your gaming experience too! In an age where it’s easy to access live casino online on your phone, this is super important.
Maintaining the latest security features and game updates is crucial. Not only is your betting bankroll safe, but you benefit from updates that make gameplay smoother, allow live streams of the croupier to buffer faster and generally make the whole thing that bit closer to real life. On a browser, especially where casinos are concerned, there’s always plenty of safety built in, but reloading content is still sometimes necessary, something that nobody wants to deal with!
Outside of the world of online casino games, app developers can still deploy bug fixes and new features quickly through app updates. Games like the ever-popular ‘Fortnite’ benefit from this, as developers can address issues and enhance gameplay - super fast. Browser-based games are often more static and slower to update. That makes the whole thing a bit more wooden - and the experience is just not as good.
User Experience and Interface
This is an interesting one! Apps are specifically designed for - touch interfaces - offering more intuitive controls. Games like ‘Clash Royale’ benefit from custom controls and UI elements in apps, which are often compromised in mobile browser versions. The browser screen can distort the true size that the game was designed to be played at, while the app is specifically designed with mobile in mind. Mobile apps can provide full-screen modes, gestures, and haptic feedback - this all comes together to enhance the experience, providing a more polished feeling. Take the runaway immersive hit Asphalt 9. Try playing that on the app and then try online. It is - far - superior in its app version, thanks to these enhanced features.
Integration with Device Features
Mobile apps can utilize device-specific features like the accelerometer, gyroscope, and camera. Games like ‘Pokemon GO’ make extensive use of these features, offering an experience that simply cannot be replicated in a mobile browser. Plus, some apps allow you to play offline, which you cannot do with a browser-based game. Take ‘Angry Birds’ for example. This allows offline play, providing uninterrupted gaming even without an internet connection. It’s perfect for taking a flight with you, or just enjoying when you’ve rinsed through your data at lightning Speed!
Monetization and Business Models
Nobody enjoys endless in-app purchases, but one or two too can lead to a far superior experience. Mobile apps seamlessly integrate in-app purchases, because most of us have Apple Pay or Google Pay already set up. This means we can treat ourselves to additional content, or just make the whole thing an ad-free experience at the touch of a button. I suppose the trade-off is that you’ve got to be careful not to overdo it - thanks to the convenience of it all!