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Let’s face it, North America. We’ve been playing around with our smartphones, mindlessly swiping through Candy Crush and pretending that’s the pinnacle of mobile gaming. Meanwhile, across the globe, people are turning their smartphones into esports powerhouses, competing for glory and big bucks. But could the tides finally be turning? Could we finally be trading our casual flicks for competitive clicks?

According to Kevin Hitt’s crystal ball—err, article—on the subject, the Esports World Cup (EWC) is giving mobile esports the stage it deserves. Yes, you heard that right. PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Free Fire are getting the limelight. And, spoiler alert: it might just be the kick North America needs to wake up and smell the virtual roses.

Let’s break it down. For years, mobile gaming in North America has been about as serious as a cat meme. We love our casual games. Monopoly Go? Oh, we’re all over it. And why not? It’s low stress, high fun, and it’s been a goldmine. Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward probably bought a yacht with the Monopoly Go profits after acquiring Scopely.

But while we’ve been happily cruising through our casual gaming landscape, the rest of the world has been duking it out in mobile esports arenas. Saudi Arabia, this summer, is set to be a turning point. According to Sam Braithwaite of ESL FaceIt Group, mobile esports is here to stay. And with events like the EWC, unfamiliar fans (read: North Americans) are about to get a crash course in mobile fandom.

The Snapdragon Pro Series is seeing this growth firsthand. And here’s the kicker—smartphones are no longer the underpowered cousins of PCs. With the latest tech advancements and 5G connectivity, mobile esports is not just accessible; it’s a force to be reckoned with.

Dustin Steiner, a veteran esports journalist turned PR wizard, puts it plainly: Mobile esports needed a “wow” moment to show they’re as legit as their PC and console siblings. And what better way to get that “wow” than sharing the stage with the big boys at the EWC?

So what’s in it for North America? For starters, legitimacy. Being taken seriously in the esports world could spark a revolution in how we approach mobile games. Developers might start creating high-quality titles designed for competitive play, and that means more thrilling experiences for players and spectators alike.

Duran Parsi, formerly of ESL FaceIt Group, notes that mobile esports are already mainstream in Asia. In places like Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and China, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang reigns supreme, both in terms of players and viewership. So why is North America lagging behind? Could it be our love affair with casual gaming? Or perhaps it’s just that we haven’t seen the potential up close.

But change is on the horizon. With North American orgs like NRG, Cloud9, and G2 Esports jumping into the EWC fray, it’s clear that this isn’t just a one-off experiment. They’re in it for the long haul, and they’re betting that the audience will follow.

To make mobile esports as compelling to watch as it is to play, we need innovations in broadcasting—enhanced spectator modes, interactive features, the works. Grow the audience, and the sponsors will follow. It’s a simple yet powerful formula.

So, North America, it’s time to put down Candy Crush and pick up something a bit more competitive. The world stage is set, the players are ready, and mobile esports is poised to take off. Will we join the revolution, or will we keep swiping aimlessly? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the future of mobile esports is calling, and it’s about to get serious.