Mobile Gaming & 5G: Unlock the full potential with high-speed connectivity in UK

17 September, 2024 by Binod Anand
 5G and Gaming
 5G and Gaming

Mobile gaming is all about staying connected with real-time interactions. Imagine you are deep into a game of Monopoly GO! with friend, ready to make your big move, and suddenly, your game freezes. It is a frustrating moment, one that anyone on a poor connection is all too familiar with. With fast, reliable networks, popular mobile games like Monopoly GO!, FIFA Mobile, and 8 Ball Pool run much smoother, offering a seamless and immersive experience. Whether you are scoring goals in FIFA Mobile or lining up your shots in 8 Ball Pool, a strong connection makes all the difference. 5G reduces lag and keeps the gameplay fluid, ensuring you stay in the action with smoother gameplay and a competitive advantage. Let us further explore how crucial internet connectivity is to the mobile gaming experience. 

  • Faster network connectivity, especially 5G, is revolutionising gaming by reducing lag and enhancing real-time play.
  • A few of the most popular games in the UK like Subway Surfers and Roblox require high-speed internet for smooth, uninterrupted gameplay.
  • 5G supports cloud gaming, allowing high-quality game streaming on mobile devices without expensive hardware.
  • Strong connectivity is crucial for the social aspect of gaming, ensuring seamless multiplayer and group sessions. 

Power of connectivity in gaming in numbers

As gamers, we are a part of a massive, ever-growing community of over 3 billion video game users worldwide (Statista). Games like Subway Surfers and Roblox are not just popular—they sort of have become a cultural phenomenon that changes how we connect, compete, and spend our time. For many of us, these virtual worlds are not just a hobby, with some of us easily clocking in over 11 hours a week. But with that comes a heavy data demand—games can eat up anywhere from 50MB to 1GB per hour, depending on the graphics and intensity. That is why high-speed, reliable internet becomes essential. And that is where 5G comes in, with its promise of lightning-fast speeds and minimal lag. It is set to revolutionise gaming, giving us the seamless, uninterrupted performance, we all crave.

5G - Shaping the future of gaming

As UK-based game developer Thaddeus Frogley points out, “a ping of 30 milliseconds or less feels instant to most players, but at 300 milliseconds, there’s noticeable lag, and at 500 milliseconds, the game becomes virtually unplayable.”  

With low latency and better speed, mobile gaming feels like it is on a whole new level. You can jump into a game anytime, anywhere, without worrying about lag or connection issues. Along with a smoother gameplay—5G opens the door to cloud gaming, letting you stream games with your phone without needing a pricey gaming rig or console. It’s like having the power of a full gaming setup right in my pocket.

Here are ten most popular games in UK (Google trends) that thrive on 5G connectivity:

Monopoly GO!

Monopoly GO! takes the classic board game experience to the next level with real-time multiplayer elements, enhanced by 5G’s speed and reduced latency. Real-time interactions are a major draw for online gamers, making 5G an ideal match for games like Monopoly GO! where instant responses and connectivity are key. 

Monopoly GO!

Subway Surfers

As one of the longest-standing mobile games, Subway Surfers offers a fast-paced, endless running experience through vibrant urban landscapes. With 5G, players experience shorter load times, smoother graphics, and improved performance during global challenges and competitions. Given that 83% of gamers find slow load times one of the most frustrating aspects of gaming, 5G’s ability to reduce these interruptions can significantly enhance the player experience.

Roblox

Roblox is not just a game, it is a platform for creativity, allowing users to craft, share, and play games within a vast online ecosystem. The platform’s popularity has exploded, particularly among younger audiences, and 5G plays a crucial role in eliminating lag in data-intensive user-generated environments. A study highlights that 54% of gamers prefer multiplayer games, which makes Roblox a perfect showcase for 5G’s capabilities in real-time collaboration and seamless multiplayer gameplay.

Candy Crush Saga

Though simple in its match-3 mechanics, Candy Crush Saga continues to captivate millions with its blend of challenging puzzles and vibrant visuals. 5G’s contribution to this classic comes in the form of faster updates and seamless transitions between devices. One in five gamers switch between multiple devices during gameplay, making 5G’s connectivity enhancements particularly valuable for games like Candy Crush Saga.

Royal Match

This match-3 puzzle game, intertwined with a castle renovation storyline, has grown significantly in popularity. New levels, events, and content updates are more accessible with 5G, which accelerates download speeds and improves in-game social interactions. For the 40% of players who value social connectivity within games, 5G’s low latency ensures that sharing achievements and competing on leaderboards is smoother and more immediate.

8 Ball Pool

8 Ball Pool relies heavily on real-time multiplayer gameplay, where players compete against each other in billiards matches. 5G’s low latency and high-speed connections ensure that gameplay remains smooth and responsive, crucial for a game that depends on precision and timing. Faster matchmaking times and reduced lag contribute to a fairer competitive environment, something that 34% of gamers find essential for an enjoyable gaming experience. 

8 ball pool

Genshin Impact

A visually stunning open-world RPG, Genshin Impact challenges the limits of mobile gaming with its expansive environments and complex combat systems. The heavy data requirements of its vast, detailed world are handled effortlessly by 5G, which reduces lag and loading times, enhancing the immersive experience. With 70% of gamers preferring high-quality graphics, 5G’s capacity to support these demands makes a noticeable difference in games like Genshin Impact.

FIFA Mobile

FIFA Mobile offers football fans the chance to engage in real-time PvP matches, reflecting real-world football seasons and events. 5G connectivity ensures that multiplayer matches run smoothly, with minimal disconnections or lag that could disrupt competitive play. Given that 59% of gamers play primarily for competition, the reliability of 5G makes it a vital upgrade for games like FIFA Mobile where performance can affect the outcome of a match.

Gardenscapes

Combining match-3 puzzles with a garden renovation narrative, Gardenscapes keeps players engaged with a steady stream of new content and challenges. 5G facilitates quicker downloads and smoother gameplay across devices, ensuring that players can continue their progress without interruption. This seamless experience is vital, as 47% of players expect minimal disruptions during gameplay.

My Perfect Hotel

My Perfect Hotel allows players to build and manage their own hotels, balancing tasks such as construction, staffing, and customer satisfaction. With 5G, real-time syncing between devices and servers becomes faster, ensuring that the progression in the game remains uninterrupted even when played offline. The need for quick transitions and reliable connections is important as 37% of players cite frustration with games that lag or lose connection during crucial moments.

The social side of gaming

Gaming has evolved from a solo activity into a lively social experience. It is not just about playing the game anymore—it is about connecting with friends from all over the world. Online gaming has become our virtual hangout, but nothing ruins the vibe like a slow connection, especially when playing in a group. If, you’re often gaming with larger squads, upgrading to a faster network, in 5G, isn't just a nice-to-have—it’s crucial for keeping the fun and flow going. 

Mobile gaming with friends

What is the ideal internet speed for gaming?

For me, games like Roblox and Genshin Impact demand high-speed connectivity and low ping rates to keep the experience smooth and responsive. Pro players recommend speeds of at least 30 Mbps to avoid the dreaded lag zone, where even milliseconds can mean the difference between winning and losing. It is incredibly frustrating when lag ruins a critical moment—something that 45% of gamers say is their top concern. To get the best gaming experience, networks like Lyca Mobile’s high-speed 5G plans are a notable change, keeping lag at bay and ensuring that every session is as immersive as it should be.

Mobile gaming while commuting

Mobile gaming has also transformed the daily grind of commuting, turning those mundane minutes into moments of entertainment. Once filled with idle scrolling—commuting has become an opportunity to play a quick game. And with London’s Tube network upgrading its infrastructure to support 4G and 5G, as highlighted on the TfL website, the experience is only set to improve.

We are talking real-time gaming without the frustration of losing signal between stations—a game-changer for any commuter. Whether you are waiting for a train or traveling between stations, you’ll have access to reliable, high-speed internet, making the commuting experience even more seamless and integrating gaming into everyday travel.  

The Future of Mobile Gaming with 5G

5G is set to change the mobile gaming experience in ways we can only image. With super-fast speeds, lower latency, and robust connectivity, games that rely on real-time multiplayer, like FIFA Mobile or 8 Ball Pool, will feel snappier and more responsive, making every match feel fairer and more competitive. For graphics-heavy games like Genshin Impact, 5G brings smoother gameplay, even in crowded, detailed environments where split-second timing matters.

But it is not just about data speed, it is about access. Cloud gaming is on the rise, and 5G is the key that will unlock it for more players. Imagine streaming high-end games directly to your mobile without needing the latest hardware—just your phone and a strong 5G connection. It is a game-changer that blurs the line between mobile and console gaming, making top-tier experiences available to just about everyone.

As 5G rolls out worldwide, we are excited to see how game developers will push the limits, crafting richer and more immersive games that fully tap into this new tech. It is not just an upgrade—it is a whole new level of mobile gaming.

Final thoughts

The introduction of 5G is set to redefine the gaming industry, enhancing the way we play and stream games by making them faster, smoother, and more accessible. With reduced latency and higher data speeds, players experience less delay and can focus more on the game itself. If you are juggling multiple devices or sharing your connection with other data-hungry applications, upgrading to a 5G plan is an effective way to maintain a top-tier gaming experience free from lag and slow downloads. By 2025, the UK mobile gaming sector is projected to hit a staggering £7.7 billion, and with trends like cloud gaming and AR integration on the rise, the future of mobile gaming looks set to be more immersive and connected than ever before, redefining how we play on the go. So, for serious gamers, investing in better connectivity isn’t just a luxury—it is a necessity.

With the introduction of 5G, gaming as we know, and love will change for better. It is not just about speed—it is about making our gaming experiences faster, smoother, and more accessible than ever. With 5G's reduced latency and higher data speeds, you can finally focus on the game without the constant worry of lag or interruptions. If you often juggle multiple devices or run data-heavy apps alongside gaming, upgrading to 5G plans is the game-changer we have been waiting for. For serious gamers, better connectivity is not just a nice-to-have, it is an absolute must.

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