5G and esports were the cornerstone topics of this year’s Mobile World Congress Americas (MWCA). Leaders from software and hardware companies alike asked the same question: How do we get involved in the video games industry

Everyone’s Talking About Mobile Games

5G and esports were the cornerstone topics of this year’s Mobile World Congress Americas (MWCA). Leaders from software and hardware companies alike asked the same question: How do we get involved in the video games industry, which is clearly driving the future of interactive entertainment? 

With video game revenue projected to top $152 billion, it has eclipsed movies, TV and music as the largest sector of the entertainment industry. In fact, mobile gaming is now the most important market for mass media and interactive entertainment, with 70 to 80 percent of app store revenue coming from games. That growth is fueled significantly by competitive video games – a multi-billion dollar industry poised for rapid expansion through emerging 5G technology. 

Powering the Next Generation

MWCA featured a host of innovative technology with the power to transform the way we all connect and engage. Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon modems showcased new compatibilities for upcoming 5G mobile products and networks, greatly expanding the availability of upcoming 5G-capable devices. Sprint and Verizon discussed how 5G is already available to millions, and how they plan to expand their coverage to reach millions more in more rural locations – a critical point of discussion. 

Edge computing and 5G networks were projected to revolutionize IoT devices, smart city concepts, security, video games and more, changing everything from how we entertain ourselves to how we interact with the cities we live in. Through instant connectivity, enhanced efficiency, and increased reliability, 5G can make futuristic concepts like smart traffic lights and self-driving cars a commonplace reality in just a few years. 

Video games underscored nearly every discussion, regardless of industry. Hardware designers wanted to know what features interested players and competitors. Augmented reality (AR) developers saw opportunities for researching and testing new concepts and companies invested in competitive gaming knew how important 5G would be to deliver flawless mobile experiences to over 450 million esports viewers worldwide.

A Brand New World

Skillz was founded with the goal of improving the mobile gaming industry for both players and developers. We a world knit together by mobile technology that powers entertainment with fun, fair competition. Over the past seven years, we’ve built the infrastructure necessary to make that happen by, supporting a thriving ecosystem engaging over 30 million players and 30,000 game creators around the world.

Competitive video gaming is already the fastest-growing sport. With 5G paving the way, we’re excited to see how game developers push the boundaries of our mobile platform and create exciting, new experiences for all types of players.