Tablet-based Nintendo Switch console allows players to switch from playing on their TV or monitor to taking the game on the road. By blending high-definition console gaming with the portability of mobile games, Nintendo caters to people who want sophisticated and social mobile gameplay.

The proliferation of smartphones has seen video gaming break free from the sofa and enter the wider world, opening the medium up to new audiences. But beyond helping people to pass the time, how have mobile games become so popular? And what are the commercial barriers and opportunities?

WeChat, China’s primary social media app, is offering users a suite of in-app games that don’t require downloading. As people tire of downloading apps and mastering new interfaces, WeChat is making it easier than ever, simultaneously keeping their attentions locked in their app.

The allure of a virtual world – in which anyone could have magical powers and take risks without consequences – is evidenced by the fact that nearly 19 million people play video games in the UK alone. Canvas8 sat down with Dr. Andrew Kuo to understand why we actively escape into virtual worlds.