For years, the United States has been one of the leading countries on the mobile downloads front, with a number of premium and free-to-play games to choose from, along with a number of popular apps. However, new numbers from data-reporting site App Annie indicate that we’re seeing a changing of the guard, and China now leads the list of top countries for iOS-based downloads.
GamesIndustry International reports on the latest data from App Annie that shows with the launch of the iPhone 6 devices overseas, China has found the strength to push past the United States in terms of having the most iOS apps downloaded. Though the U.S. remains close behind in second place, this shows a vital “changing of the guard” when it comes to popular apps, indicating that China is a force to be reckoned with. The United States, though, is still the top country for iOS app revenue, with Japan in second place and China in third place.
This is also big news for Apple, as it gives iOS presence in China, where the Android has been the dominant mobile platform for the past few years. With a successful marketing campaign for the new iPhone devices, the company has managed to create a niche in the mobile market that will keep growing over the next few months – or even years.
The China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association have released some numbers as well, indicating that national game revenues have managed to reach a whopping $18.5 billion for 2014, a 40 percent increase over the previous year. SuperData had its own numbers to provide as well, indicating that the U.S. mobile gaming market sits at $3.2 billion. However, China isn’t too far behind that, as it’s close behind with just $200 million less.
China’s strength in downloads of apps has yet to be fully reflected in app revenue, but if Apple continues to sell strongly in China we may see the revenue side catch up to the number of downloads. It’s certainly an important market that everyone should be watching..
