Smartphones have transformed the gaming world, making it accessible to all ages and demographics. Yet beyond the low price point compared to dedicated consoles, why do people invest so much time in mobile titles? Canvas8 spoke with 20 Britons to discover why they’re catching Pokémon and flinging Angry Birds.

Parents may regularly complain about their kids wasting time on video games when they should be studying, but new research from Australia has found that some gaming could actually promote higher academic achievement – especially when compared to social media.

Long regarded as fringe participants, women now represent a significant part of the gaming community, making up around half of players in the US and UK. With a whole new generation of girls ready to ‘press start’, how can this stereotypically male-focused industry be more female-friendly?

In the UK alone, 19 million people play video games. But with smartphones enabling people to carry a console around in their pockets, the market has started to feel crowded. Nintendo is hoping to differentiate itself with Switch – a portable hybrid console for on-the-go gaming.