Until recently, gaming in Latin America was an expensive hobby, accessible only to a small percentage of the continent's population. Of course, it wasn't as dire as in some post-Soviet countries at the turn of the '90s and '00s, when the very concept of video games was something new and unusual, but there were certain limitations due to the financial condition of the continent's countries.

PlayStation, Xbox consoles, or even portable devices like PSP and Nintendo had price tags that made these devices unattainable for most families. Even a basic PC capable of running popular and not necessarily modern AAA games required investments that not everyone could afford—particularly those living paycheck to paycheck.

For a time, gaming remained an activity for the "middle" and "upper" classes. If someone wanted to try different games, they did so by visiting internet cafes, going to friends who owned gaming devices, and, additionally, through the spread of game piracy.

But everything changed with the development and spread of smartphones.

Smartphone — A Ticket to the World of Games 

Suddenly, a device necessary for communication and work also became a tool that massively opened the doors for South American residents to the world of video games.

There was no need to buy a console for $400. No need for a $250 graphics card or other computer parts. And, of course, since the vast majority of smartphone games are free, there was no need to purchase the games themselves, as is the case on other gaming platforms.

All you needed was a smartphone—even a budget one, which more and more people were acquiring—and you had convenient access to various games. Considering that in South America, the spread of mobile internet surpassed traditional infrastructure, it dramatically changed the rules of the game.

The shift began when smartphones became widespread, when even not-so-well-off families could afford them. The market was not only captured by flagships but also by cheaper Androids—often bundled with prepaid plans or family packages.

This change is hard to overestimate. A teenager in rural Colombia or a student on the outskirts of São Paulo could play the same game as someone in New York or Tokyo. No additional equipment, no subscriptions—just a phone and mobile internet access were needed. Mobile games opened the door to a world that was limited for many. It's not even about technical details but about a social shift.

Simplicity, Accessibility, and Breaking Old Barriers

The effectiveness of mobile gaming lay not only in accessibility but also in the ease of entry. There was no need to read instructions or master complex controls, as using a smartphone is very intuitive for modern people, including children. The complexity might arise more for the older generation, but not always.

As on other continents, various types and genres of games became popular in these countries: from simple clickers to advanced team shooters. Many developers even release "lite" versions of games that perform better and are less demanding on devices. Games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Fortnite, Free Fire, Mobile Legends can be run even on budget smartphones—and thus, they have massively filled the devices and captured the attention of children and teenagers across Latin America.

One can note the company Garena, which made a significant bet on this continent with its game Free Fire, now dominating mobile esports in Brazil and beyond. This wasn't a random success—it was a whole strategy. The game had a small size, ran well on simple smartphones, and quickly settled in communities where expensive gadgets are rare.

Mobile games in South American countries didn't just increase the number of players—they completely changed the gaming culture. In Brazil, Argentina, Peru, mobile esports disciplines are already taken as seriously as computer or console ones are in other parts of the world. Professional teams, sponsors, full arenas—all of this is present.

The social aspect also became crucial in the impact of video games on the industry's development in the region. Among Us, Mobile Legends, League of Legends: Wild Rift, and others became a way to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps the greatest socio-cultural impact from mobile games was seen in closed communities and rural areas, as it allowed the youth to discover a new way of spending leisure time and a window to the wider world.

The Trap of Monetization in Free Games

However, accessibility is not the same as fairness or nobility. Many mobile games use a Free-to-Play model with aggressive advertising and monetization: loot boxes, energy limits, premium skins, and other purchasable items.

Conditionally free games have always lived, live, and will live off various microtransactions, as often their main feature is that if a player wants to be better than others—they need to pay for such improvements.

In countries and areas with low average income levels, this can cause financial and psychological pressure, forcing people to spend real money on virtual resources. This is quite common among teenagers who don't have their own money. In turn, this can lead to either unnecessary expenses from parents' accounts or—in the worst case—domestic theft.

And despite smartphones opening the doors to games, the platform sometimes only reinforces certain digital inequalities. The Pay-to-Win approach is not just annoying; it reinstates the very barriers that mobile gaming was supposed to break. If the winner is always the one with money—the inequality simply transfers into the game.

Local Industry: Ambitions and Challenges

While South America boasts millions of mobile gamers, the development of the local industry doesn't always keep pace with this growth. Most popular mobile games still come from Asia, Europe, or the USA. Studios working in the region often face issues with funding, scaling, or even just market visibility.

However, independent Brazilian studios are creating games that resonate with local culture. Argentine developers are experimenting with mobile projects filled with representations of Latin American peoples, regional humor, slang, and themes close to local gamers. But true inclusivity requires more investment in local infrastructure—not just offices of global publishers.

Looking to the Future: Gaming as a Cultural Phenomenon

Smartphones have transformed games from a closed ecosystem into an open environment. South America not only embraced this change—it became one of the centers of mobile gaming in the world. And it's not just about the number of games but about local voices, ethical monetization, and confidence that accessibility doesn't disappear after hitting the "Download" button.

Of course, mobile gaming hasn't replaced consoles or PCs, but it has become an intermediate stage that allowed millions to try engaging leisure activities until the economic conditions of countries and specific regions in Latin America stabilize, enabling people to more frequently afford new gaming devices that will enhance their gaming experience and worldview.