Are One-Handed Games Surpassing High-Tech Releases in Popularity?
As time goes on, new gaming trends emerge. One of the latest ones is the rising popularity of one-handed games. As smartphones are designed to be held in one hand, their adoption has had a direct impact on other sectors, one of them being the gaming industry. One-handed games offer a more comfortable experience, and as time goes on, it seems that people prefer one-handed games over high-tech alternatives.
One-Handed Games and Their Rise to Fame
There are numerous one-handed games on the market right now that are proving to be more popular than their two-handed alternatives. DOOM is one example here. It’s one of the most famous games out there and has since had a mobile release. Mighty Doom, one of many releases by Bethesda, gets more challenging with every stage and contains all of the same elements that people know and love from the classic Doom game. The game generated nearly $1 million in revenue in the first two weeks, with over 3 million downloads.
Another example would be the Fishin Frenzy slot game. As one of the most popular slot games on the internet, with 13 different games to play, this slot has overtaken nearly every other fishing game out there. You don’t need any hardware or software to play, and the game can be played with one hand, on the go. Other fishing-themed games, like Fishing Planet and Pro Fishing Simulator, although they have their niche audiences, haven’t quite seen the same level of popularity. Sequels are usually non-existent, with players dropping off gradually as time goes on. Games like this show that although two-handed games tend to contain more complex features, simple games are leading the charge right now, and there are a lot of reasons why.
Ergonomics and Core Mechanics
One reason why one-handed games are surpassing high-tech games in terms of popularity right now comes down to core mechanics. Because the control scheme for one-handed games is often simplified, one-handed games focus more on fun and entertainment, allowing for short bursts of gameplay. You also have ergonomics. Smartphones are designed to be held in one hand, offering a more comfortable experience on the go and when playing for extended periods.
More complex games often have to be played on PC or other devices, meaning that the window of opportunity in which players can engage with their favourite titles is somewhat limited. Even though high-tech games did go through a huge boom in popularity a few years ago, it seems that now, audiences are favouring good, simple mechanics over complex gameplay. This is reflected in global growth statistics, as in 2022, mobile games accounted for 57% of gaming market revenue. In 2024, that statistic dropped to 49%, however, it still surpassed all other devices. As time goes on, the mobile market is set to boom as smartphones become more complex. This is going to pave the way for new titles that embrace complex mechanics while keeping with the one-handed convenience that mobile devices offer.
