Market research firm Niko Partners reports the popularity of mobile games in Southeast Asia is growing faster than predicted, as the total number of people playing mobile games is expected to double those playing PC games in the region by 2019.

If you're thinking about localizing your game for Southeast Asia, this is research worth studying. It also sheds some more light on why game companies big and small are turning their attention towards making mobile games for players in burgeoning markets like Thailand, Vietnam and the Phillippines as well as established East Asian markets.

Based on a survey of roughly 8,400 game players across six Southeast Asian countries, Niko predicts that revenue from online PC games played in the region will hit $1.3 billion by 2019, while revenue from mobile games will hit $1.1 billion. 

However, the survey suggests that mobile games are seeing a significant uptick in popularity and by 2019 Niko expects roughly 400 million people to be playing mobile games in Southeast Asia, while only 148 million are expected to be regularly playing PC games.

It's worth noting that Niko describes most of those surveyed as "young, male, hardcore enthusiasts" who primarily play client-based online PC games, suggesting that a lot of those mobile game players in Southeast Asia will be playing PC games as well -- but not vice versa. 

To get a better look at Niko's figures, you'll have to purchase the firm's full report from its research storefront.