Mobile to be the primary gaming platform by 2016 - analyst

One research firm believes that in the next few years more gaming will occur on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets than any other platform.

Juniper Research extrapolated from current trends to predict that consumers will spend $3.03 billion on mobile games in 2016, worldwide.

That's a staggering figure, but not as eye-opening as the growth rate - the firm believes just #301 million was spent in 2012, suggesting the platform will grow ten times in terms of sales.

Most of the sales are expected in the Far East, China, and North America; these three major markets will make up about 86% of total spend in 2016.

Tablets are the real driver here, Juniper said; they're taking over from dedicated hardware because they have 3G and 4G connections, and host more free-to-play titles.

It's a bold set of predictions and sure to make mobile manufacturers happy, if perhaps nobody else.

Thanks, GamesIndustry.