Series 16 – Episode 7 – The role of semiconductors in future mobile gaming innovation

The mobile gaming industry has rapidly evolved, transforming from casual games like Snake on early Nokia devices to today's high-performance, console-quality gaming experiences. Moffat highlighted that this shift has largely been driven by advancements in semiconductor technology. With nearly four in ten people worldwide now using mobile devices for gaming, MediaTek has been at the forefront of developing powerful, efficient chipsets that support immersive gaming experiences.

Moffat explained: “Over 2 billion people are gaming on mobile devices, a number that would have been unimaginable even a few years ago. The evolution in semiconductors has been crucial in supporting this growth, particularly in mobile graphics processing, display technology, and connectivity.”

One major area of innovation has been the graphics processing units (GPUs) that power mobile gaming. “We’ve worked closely with Arm to integrate advanced mobile GPUs into our chipsets, enabling smoother graphics rendering and higher frame rates with minimal impact on power consumption,” Moffat said. For example, MediaTek's flagship devices now support hardware-based ray tracing, a technology traditionally found in console and PC gaming, allowing for realistic lighting and shadow effects.

“Ray tracing is a game-changer,” he explained. “It enhances the realism of in-game environments, bringing a console-level experience to mobile. Our collaboration with Arm has allowed us to integrate this capability into our premium chipsets, though it’s still largely limited to high-end devices.”

The challenge for mobile chip manufacturers like MediaTek is not only in creating powerful GPUs but also in managing power efficiency. Mobile gaming is resource-intensive, yet users expect their devices to last a full day. “It’s a balancing act,” said Moffat. “We design power efficiency into our chips from the ground up, working with partners like TSMC to leverage the latest production processes, which inherently improve both performance and efficiency.”

Beyond graphics, high-resolution displays with rapid refresh rates have become the norm for mobile gaming. MediaTek’s flagship chipsets now support refresh rates up to 180Hz, ensuring a smooth gaming experience. “The visual experience is critical. Users expect more than 4K resolution, and our SoCs are built to handle these demands without compromising on performance,” Moffat shared.

Connectivity, too, plays a vital role in gaming. The advent of 5G has reduced latency and increased download speeds, allowing for real-time multiplayer experiences on the go. “5G has been a significant advancement,” Moffat noted. “It allows for faster downloads and low-latency gameplay, which are crucial for immersive mobile gaming. We’ve also integrated Wi-Fi 7 support for situations where users rely on Wi-Fi rather than cellular, ensuring a seamless connection in both scenarios.”

Power consumption remains a primary concern in mobile gaming, especially with users balancing gaming with everyday tasks on a single device. To manage this, MediaTek incorporates power-saving technologies in multiple aspects of its design. For instance, MediaTek’s partnership with Samsung enables the use of DDR5X memory, which delivers 25% power savings over previous generations. “Memory efficiency is essential,” Moffat explained. “By optimising memory speed and power consumption, we can make gaming more responsive without draining the battery.”

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another technology shaping the future of mobile gaming. MediaTek’s chipsets now feature dedicated AI processing units (APUs), which support tasks beyond traditional in-game functions. According to Moffat: “AI is becoming increasingly important, not only in game development but also in creating personalised in-game experiences. We envision a future where AI can dynamically adjust game levels based on a user’s playing style, creating a truly unique gaming experience.”

When asked about the future of mobile gaming hardware, Moffat predicted a continued iterative improvement rather than revolutionary changes. “We’ll likely see the waterfall effect of flagship technologies becoming more accessible in mid-range devices,” he said. “Better GPUs, improved refresh rates, and enhanced AI capabilities will trickle down as production efficiencies increase.”

To hear more about mobile gaming and much more, you can listen to Electronic Specifier’s interview with Rob Moffat on Spotify or Apple podcasts.