Technologically advanced games from some of the largest game developers draw widespread attention, however new research indicates that mobile gaming will drive the gaming industry, led by casual and female gamers.

The spread of high-speed 3G cellular networks, combined with increasing mobile subscribers makes is making mobile gaming more attractive, market observer Juniper Research said on Thursday.

I think mobile games have come of age, Bruce Gibson, Research Director at Juniper Research, said. The casual games sector is going to be the market driver, even though it may not be at the leading edge of mobile games technology. Casual games make most use of the inherent advantages of the mobile platform..

In addition to the traditional core 12-25 age male electronic games players, older players and female players are becoming increasingly influential, the firm states. Female games players are emerging as a powerful market force, as more and more games designed with the female psyche in mind are brought to the market.

Global revenues for mobile games will grow from $3 billion in 2006 to $10.5 billion in 2009, Juniper estimates.

T-mobile Gaming