Tablets: The future of gaming?

Tablet computers have proven to be a disruptive technology in a number of areas, from information-gathering and movie-watching to many work-related tasks. One space where this is becoming especially true is video games.

Despite introducing some of its most advanced products in history, the video game market has struggled in recent years. According to market research firm the NPD Group, video game sales declined 6 percent year over year in September 2011 -- the fifth consecutive month without growth.

But video games for tablets are bucking this trend. Though games on these devices may lack many of the complexities of those on traditional PCs and gaming consoles, users seem drawn to them for their instant accessibility and, often, their relatively affordable prices.

Because games on tablets tend to be simpler, more users can comprehend them. Additionally, tablets offer more functionality than traditional gaming consoles and users are more likely to keep them on hand, meaning games are just a click away at any given time.

At the moment, it's difficult to tell how much tablets will influence the gaming climate. Many traditionalists dismiss tablet gaming as a fad. But given the opposite directions of the markets, it seems tablet gaming may be here to stay.