The rise of mobile gaming

When most people talk about gaming, they're specifically referring to games for the PC, PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii. Games exist everywhere, though. The popularity of social networking games, services like OnLive and gaming on mobile devices are providing alternatives left and right.

Browser games have provided free gaming fun practically since the Internet's creation. Contrary to the mainstream, these games were simple, usually short and easy to jump into - basically '70s arcade games. These games are still playable online, of course, but many developers have moved to mobile devices. Most games available for phones and the like resemble browser games closely, or are outright ports. There are exceptions, like Epic's Infinity Blade (above), but the majority are easy to play, cheap to make and simple in nature.

At first, these games had nothing to do with mainstream gaming, but things are gradually shifting. Their wide variety and inexpensiveness have drawn some players away from their consoles entirely. Some gamers have decided they don't need to pay for the AAA franchises, they just need occasional, casual games. I personally have one relative that plays Bejewled constantly and little else.

Mobile gaming is really coming into its own as a genre - the available technology is improving and the ability to take your games anywhere is become more and more popular. The real issue with mobile device games is gaming without consoles. The day may be coming where Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo go the way of Sega: still making software, but no longer in the gaming hardware business.

Of course, the big companies will fight this tooth and nail, and who knows? They might win. There's also a good chance that, try as they might, nobody can stop gaming from growing and changing. I just hope that, no matter what, gamers will still hold their games to high standards and accept nothing less than a quality experience. Even if it's a $1 game, it should be worth the player's time and money.