Mobile gaming is fast becoming the first choice in the global gaming world, claiming 47% of the video game industry. This is in part due to the ease and convenience it presents. Leaf Mobile Inc. (TSXV:LEAF), Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG:0700), and Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI), are the leading companies in mobile gaming.
Mobile gaming continues to thrive despite COVID-19
Mobile games have earned up to 60% of revenue in the market of video gaming in 2019, and the highly upward trend continues through 2020. GoldenCasinoNews.com conducted a study, finding that mobile games generated $49 billion in revenue, with a profit of $16.9 billion in 2019. The mobile gaming industry is predicted to have a CAGR of 12% between 2020 and 2025 with mobile gaming being responsible for well over 50% of that growth. Global gamers, which number around 2.7 billion, are expected to spend $159.3 billion on games in 2020, and total spending should surpass $200 billion by 2023.
Despite the drop in the global economy, mobile gaming has not been negatively affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. As a matter of fact, Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI), Leaf Mobile Inc. (TSXV:LEAF), and Tencent Holdings Ltd. (HKG:0700) are reaping major benefits from the pandemic as people are searching for more ways to spend their time in safe and entertaining ways during this period of sheltering and social distancing. Mobile gaming’s lower hardware requirements, a simple smartphone, has made it easier for new users to try out games to pass the time during confinement. The gaming industry of gaming, overall will soon become the largest entertainment venue, as it is expected to pull ahead of TV in revenue in 2020.
Leaf Mobile Inc.’s blueprint for success
Leaf Mobile has become one of the top creators and publishers in the marijuana and counterculture game industry. The company’s novel approach has helped them grow significantly in the U.S..
Cheech and Chong’s Bud Farm has taken the lead since it hit the market in April of 2020. The global premiere, hosted by Cheech and Chong, set the tone for the much awaited game. It was attended live and online by Kevin Smith (Jay and Silent Bob), Wilmer Valderrama (That 70’s Show), Craig Robinson (The Office), Dana White (UFC), and others. Tommy Chong told On The Red Carpet’s Karl Schmid, “The story line is that we’re trying to grow weed online or on your phone. You’ve got Cheech and you’ve got Chong and it’s a lot of fun.” He also stated that the game is addicting, and once you get started, it’s hard to stop.
Only 10 days into the launch the game earned $0.1 million. Even in the uncertainty of the US stock market, this free and easy-to-access app from iOS and Playstore, is still leading the way for “green” based mobile apps. It has been continuing to rise in popularity and success, much like the well loved Bud Farm:Idle Tycoon, the highest grossing “green” title to date for Leaf Mobile, Inc., Cheech and Chong’s Bud Farm is also in the top 3 grossing “strategy games” in the “green” or cannabis genre category in the US, Canada, and Germany on iOS. It was quick to be included on multiple “Best New” lists for mobile games in April such as, toucharcade.com, official Best New iPhone Games List, and Game Central’s Best New Mobile Games List. It has been featured on ET Canada, ABC News 7, and popculture.com.
Leaf’s main studio lead, Jean Guy Niquet, stated “To be the only cannabis-themed game in the top 500 free games (USA) is an amazing achievement. We are very proud of the launch results and it is gratifying that people are turning to games as a way of connecting in this COVID 19 environment. It’s also incredibly encouraging to create our 12 month roadmap with new partners in title expansion.”
Included in Leaf Mobile’s “green” and cannabis based family of mobile apps are Bud Farm 420, Bud Farm Grass Roots, Bud Farm: Idle Tycoon, Pot Farm Legacy, Pot Farm Grass Roots, Bud Farm Grass Roots, and Bud Farm Quest for Buds. These popular titles have brought in $60.6 million from 2011 to 2019.
Cheech and Chong’s Bud Farm has a variety of beloved characters from their famous movies and hilarious stand up comedy routines, including Cheech and Chong, Paco, Cheech’s brother, Sister Mary Elephant, Dave, and Wink Dinkerson. Sgt. Stedenko, as always, is extremely motivated to put Cheech and Chong in jail for life. The mobile game appeals to those who are supporters of the “green”, cannabis, and the marijuana counter culture genre, which is fast becoming the “new normal” in the US.
Mobile gaming is here for the long haul, as other game developers are striving to include many more game choices so as to be a part of this fast growing market. However, Leaf Mobile Inc. (TSXV:LEAF) is the top in it’s genre of counterculture and marijuana mobile games, and Cheech and Chong’s Bud Farm still continues to certainly thrive and grow in these uncertain times.
