Mobile Games Heat Up the Korean Game Market

As Anipang fans can attest, mobile games are hot, hot, hot! The good news is that Korean game companies are releasing a record number of new and entertaining games for mobile devices.

Last week’s G-Star Global Game Exhibition in Busan, Korea is proof. Many of the 434 gaming businesses from 31 countries at the exhibition focused on mobile games.

G-Star visitors trying out the latest mobile games on tablet PCs. Photo Credit: http://bitly.com/UCEfjQ

WeMade Entertainment, creator of MMORPG hit “Icarus,” showed off 16 new mobile games alone. Gamevil, which created “Punch Hero,” also unveiled 20 new mobile games. Here’s a glimpse of some games you may not have tried yet.

Com2Us showcased Tiny Farm, a mobile game where you can raise everything from black sheep, blue cows, to green chickens! Or go on a mission to find legendary animals and rare species.

Mobile game “Tiny Farm” created by Com2Us. Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/5ydOkN

One of Gamevil’s new mobile games on Google Play is Kingdom Royale. It offers “full scale social warfare.” You can build your kingdom, gather resources, and conquer other kingdoms around you.

Gamevil’s new mobile game Kingdom Royale. Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/QDaALQ

One reason why Korea’s mobile game industry is growing is because 60% of the population uses smartphones. Korea’s market for mobile games alone will reach 580 billion won ($532 million) in 2013!

A positive sign for fans is that more platform providers like LG U-plus and Daum are providing more opportunities for game developers to get their wares into customer’s hands. LG U-plus opened a new cloud gaming platform this year that makes it easier to access games across different platforms, meaning that games aren’t stuck on a single device.

Other companies like SK Planet are taking a more international approach, partnering with global game developers like Rovio (Angry Birds Rio) to expand their mobile game businesses domestically.

According to Jason Allenberg, an international mobile game sourcer at Incross, Korea’s success comes in part from the enthusiasm ordinary people show about trying new games.

“Korea is unique because of the high number of downloads per capita and the monetization we are able to achieve compared to other markets,” Allenberg said. “Whereas the top games in the world’s largest market, the U.S., gross around 4 million USD per month, in Korea right now, the top games bring in about 9 million USD monthly. Add this to Samsung’s influence here and the high connectivity that allows mobile gaming to be accessed anywhere and you have a great recipe to fuel mobile gaming.”

What mobile games have you hooked? Let us know in the comments.