Collections
Expert-curated collections organized by topic and theme.
Market (Overall)
280 documentsReports in the Market (Overall) category.
Thunderful · 2025
FinancialThunderful Group Q1 2025 Interim Report
Thunderful Group’s interim report for the first quarter of 2025, covering January through March, details a period of significant structural transformation following extensive restructuring in 2024. The primary thesis centers on the company’s transition into a leaner, more focused entity specialized in game publishing and co-development after divesting its distribution businesses. Financial performance shows a 7.0% increase in net revenue to SEK 62.0 million, compared to SEK 58.0 million in the same period the previous year. While the company reported an operating loss (EBIT) of SEK 65.7 million, this represents a substantial improvement from the SEK 153.9 million loss in Q1 2024. The result was impacted by SEK 29.4 million in write-downs of intangible assets. Adjusted EBITDA improved to SEK –9.2 million from SEK –29.4 million, reflecting reduced personnel expenses, which fell 36.5% following a headcount reduction from 355 to 249 employees. The Publishing segment generated SEK 32.5 million in revenue, driven by back-catalog sales, while the Co-development & Services segment contributed SEK 29.6 million, primarily through work-for-hire projects at Coatsink. Strategic developments during the quarter included the transfer of all shares in Jumpship Ltd to its former owner and a directed share issue to Microcuts Holding GmbH to settle earnout obligations. Geographically centered in Gothenburg, Sweden, with operations across Europe, the group’s outlook relies on a heavy 2025 release schedule, including titles such as Lost in Random: The Eternal Die and Replaced. Management notes that while the restructuring has stabilized the cost base, future financial stability is highly dependent on the commercial success of these upcoming launches. Cash and unutilised credit facilities stood at SEK 83.1 million at the end of the period.
Video Game Insights · 2025
ReportThe Importance of Wishlists in 2025: Do Wishlists Matter?
Steam wishlists serve as a critical metric for predicting commercial success in the video game industry, functioning as a primary indicator of pre-launch momentum. Data analysis reveals that wishlist distribution is highly top-heavy, with a significant majority of games launching with fewer than 10,000 wishlists, while only a small fraction of titles achieve the 100,000-plus threshold required to reliably forecast a breakout performance. There is a strong 70% correlation between pre-launch wishlist counts and first-month unit sales, particularly for titles that surpass the 100,000-wishlist milestone. Genre-specific trends highlight that action and adventure titles consistently generate the highest levels of pre-release buzz, often benefiting from the brand equity and marketing budgets of AAA and AA publishers. Conversely, casual and MMO titles frequently rely on post-launch engagement, such as live updates and community building, rather than pre-release wishlist accumulation. Regardless of genre, the timing of a Steam page launch is vital; top-performing games typically establish their presence six to twelve months before release, utilizing a steady stream of trailers and development updates to build and maintain audience interest. The findings are based on an analysis of games launched on Steam from March 2024 onwards, utilizing proprietary estimation models and industry data. The research emphasizes that while wishlists are not a guarantee of success for every title, they act as a essential barometer for market interest. For developers and publishers, the data underscores that early visibility and sustained marketing efforts are necessary to reach the wishlist tiers that statistically correlate with long-term commercial viability.
Market (Mobile)
175 documentsReports in the Market (Mobile) category.
Unity · 2025
ReportMobile Growth and Monetization Report 2023
The report establishes that mobile game monetization is most effective when focused on early‑stage conversion and strategic ad placement. Analysis of 31 billion in‑app purchase events shows that 77 % of players who convert do so within the first two weeks, with currencies and limited‑time sales accounting for 22–23 % and 15–20 % of revenue respectively. Pricing the first purchase between $1 and $5 maximizes conversion efficiency, while targeting tier‑2 markets and deploying offerwalls can further enhance retention. Rewarded‑ad data, derived from 31 billion monthly impressions and 158 million installs, identifies high‑engagement placements between levels, in the IAP store, and lobby screens. Extra‑reward, currency, and gacha offers drive the greatest engagement. Offerwalls contribute roughly 33 % of total ad revenue, delivering about $4.68 per converted user; multi‑reward offers generate 60–82 % of conversions and can yield up to $68 per completion. These insights suggest that placing high‑visibility rewarded ads and integrating offerwalls can simultaneously boost retention and monetization. Complementary tactics such as custom store pages further improve player engagement. Offerwall conversions can increase day‑7 to day‑120 retention by up to fivefold, especially for high‑engagement segments. Custom store pages allow developers to align in‑game messaging with ad creatives, reducing resource costs and enhancing conversion rates. Targeting genre‑specific markets—sports in Japan or trivia in South Korea—can lift click‑through rates above tier‑2 averages, underscoring the importance of data‑driven audience and creative optimization. Overall, the findings emphasize a focused strategy: early conversion pricing, strategic rewarded‑ad placement, offerwall integration, and tailored store experiences. These combined tactics deliver measurable gains in retention, revenue, and campaign efficiency across iOS and Google Play platforms worldwide.
Tenjin · 2022
ReportHyper-Casual Benchmark Report Q3 2022
The hyper-casual gaming landscape continues to evolve as developers navigate shifting attribution models and monetization strategies. Analysis of the sector reveals that advertising remains the primary revenue driver, with a heavy reliance on high-volume user acquisition and optimized ad mediation. Data from 2021 and 2022 indicates that the top-performing ad networks for hyper-casual titles are those capable of delivering massive scale at low costs per install, while simultaneously providing robust monetization tools to capture value from short-lived player lifecycles. Geographic trends show a significant concentration of activity in established markets, though emerging regions are increasingly contributing to the global install base. The industry segments covered include both Android and iOS platforms, with a specific focus on how privacy changes have impacted attribution and marketing efficiency. Statistics suggest that while the cost of acquiring users has fluctuated, the most successful publishers are those utilizing sophisticated data analytics to balance spend across a diverse range of ad networks. Methodological insights derived from industry benchmarks highlight the importance of real-time data processing and cross-platform tracking. By examining the performance of the top ten ad networks, it becomes clear that market leadership is defined by the ability to integrate seamlessly with attribution partners. The findings conclude that the hyper-casual market remains resilient, provided that developers adapt to the technical requirements of modern mobile advertising and maintain a rigorous focus on retention metrics and effective ad placement strategies.
Country Reports
42 documentsReports in the Country Reports category.
Swedish Games Industry · 2022
ReportGame Developer Index: Sweden 2022
The Swedish games industry underwent a period of rapid expansion in 2021, characterized by a 22% increase in domestic revenue to €2.7 billion and a 43% surge in global revenue to €5.8 billion. This growth was fueled by a record-breaking year of international acquisitions, with 81 public transactions led by major groups such as Embracer and Stillfront. By late 2022, Swedish-owned entities operated 197 studios across 49 countries, employing approximately 28,000 people worldwide. This international footprint is reflected in consumer reach, as an estimated one in four players globally has engaged with a Swedish-developed title, and Swedish-associated games accounted for 6% of all Twitch watchtime in 2021. The domestic workforce grew by 17% to nearly 8,000 employees, with women representing 22.1% of the total staff and 26% of new hires. While gender diversity is improving—evidenced by 29 companies achieving at least 50% female representation—the industry continues to struggle with a severe domestic skills shortage. This talent gap has forced Swedish firms to expand their foreign subsidiaries aggressively, with over 11,000 staff members now based abroad. Although regional hubs in Stockholm and Skåne remain dominant, growth is increasingly supported by specialized educational clusters and post-secondary programs designed to cultivate local talent. Despite its commercial success and cultural influence, the sector faces structural hurdles that could impact future scalability. Critical challenges include complex work permit processes for international recruits and a lack of early-stage financing compared to other global markets. Methodological shifts in industry tracking now prioritize national group turnover to ensure better comparability with other sectors, revealing a robust ecosystem of 785 active companies. While the industry remains a powerhouse of the Swedish economy, its long-term sustainability depends on addressing recruitment barriers and maintaining the momentum of its global acquisition strategy.
Sensor Tower · 2024
ReportState of Mobile Games in Japan
The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of Japan’s mobile‑gaming ecosystem in 2024, measuring the market’s size, growth dynamics, and competitive landscape. Total in‑app purchase (IAP) revenue reached roughly ¥2.5 trillion, marking a modest increase over 2023, while the combined share of the Apple App Store and Google Play stabilized at about 55 % and 45 % respectively. Advertising‑derived income expanded by 35 % year‑on‑year, now accounting for roughly 8 % of overall mobile‑gaming revenue, driven largely by user acquisition through YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Top‑grossing publishers dominate the market, with Mixi, Bandai Namco, CyberAgent, miHoYo, Square Enix and GungHo each securing multiple titles in the upper echelon of revenue. Flagship games such as *Fate/Grand Order*, *eFootball*, *Pokémon GO*, and the *One Piece* franchise collectively generated more than ¥1 trillion, underscoring the continued strength of established IPs. Genre analysis shows 3D titles now represent roughly half of the top‑performing apps, reflecting a shift toward richer visual experiences, while 2D and casual games retain a sizable user base. The study covers the period January through July
eSports & Streaming
16 documentsReports in the Esports & Streaming category.
Newzoo · 2022
ReportConsumer Insights: Games and Esports 2022
The Consumer Insights: Games and Esports 2022 report provides a comprehensive analysis of global gaming behaviors, motivations, and market engagement. The primary purpose of the research is to equip game developers, publishers, and industry stakeholders with actionable data to benchmark titles, understand player demographics, and identify growth opportunities across 36 diverse international markets. By examining over 100 key performance indicators, the analysis offers a granular view of how players interact with PC, console, and mobile platforms. The research is underpinned by a robust methodology, drawing on survey data from over 75,000 consumers worldwide. The findings highlight distinct engagement patterns, such as the prevalence of specific gaming personas—notably Time Fillers and Mainstream Gamers—and the interplay between playing and viewing habits. For instance, data from the German market indicates that while playing remains the dominant activity, a significant portion of the population also engages with gaming video content and esports. Furthermore, the report identifies key drivers for consumer spending, noting that price sensitivity, the desire for exclusive content, and social connectivity are primary motivators for financial investment in games. Covering a broad geographic scope that includes North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region, the report serves as a strategic tool for navigating the complex global gaming landscape. By synthesizing metrics such as monthly active users, daily active users, and lifetime player value, the analysis facilitates a deeper understanding of the motivations driving player behavior. Ultimately, the findings emphasize that a nuanced approach to audience segmentation and platform-specific engagement is essential for companies seeking to reach and retain diverse gaming populations in an increasingly competitive entertainment market.
Newzoo · 2022
ReportGames, Esports, Live Streaming, Cloud and the Metaverse: 2022 Trends to Watch
The global gaming industry is currently undergoing a structural transformation characterized by the integration of emerging technologies and a pivot toward cross-platform accessibility. Central to this evolution is the expansion of cloud gaming, which serves as a critical bridge to overcome hardware constraints, allowing publishers to reach broader audiences on mobile devices and legacy consoles. Simultaneously, the metaverse is maturing into a robust commercial ecosystem, fueled by significant venture capital investment, the proliferation of virtual real estate, and the integration of digital fashion. These developments signal a broader industry shift toward enhanced creator-viewer interactivity and the adoption of Web3.0 business models. Monetization strategies are diversifying as companies experiment with blockchain-based player trading and fan engagement tools, despite notable consumer resistance toward non-fungible tokens. This period is also defined by a surge in high-quality cross-media intellectual property adaptations and a crowded release calendar, which intensifies competition for consumer attention. Furthermore, regulatory and consumer pressures are forcing a transition toward more open app store ecosystems, challenging traditional distribution gatekeepers. Within the esports sector, organizations are actively diversifying revenue streams by prioritizing mobile-first titles and leveraging co-streaming to maximize viewership reach. These trends, observed throughout 2022, reflect a strategic effort to sustain growth across global markets. By synthesizing market intelligence and tracking key performance metrics, the industry continues to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, balancing the pursuit of innovative monetization with the necessity of maintaining user trust in an increasingly interconnected virtual landscape.
Financial Reports
32 documentsReports in the Financial Reports category.
SocialPeta · 2023
ReportInsights into Marketing Trends of Global Mobile Games: Q3 2023
The analysis focuses on contemporary marketing dynamics within the global mobile gaming sector, emphasizing how creative diversification and platform targeting shape user acquisition performance. In the third quarter of 2023, a leading animal‑themed strategy‑lite game launched by a major publisher introduced an extensive creative slate, deploying 6,500 distinct ad assets across major ad networks. Notably, 85 % of these assets were brand‑new, reflecting a deliberate strategy to refresh visual and messaging elements at scale. This high proportion of novel creatives aligns with broader industry observations that frequent creative turnover mitigates ad fatigue and sustains click‑through rates in highly competitive markets. The data underscores the importance of deduplication processes in large‑scale campaigns, ensuring that each impression reaches a unique audience segment while preserving measurement integrity. By tracking deduplicated impressions, the campaign achieved a more accurate assessment of reach and cost efficiency, revealing that fresh creative assets can improve cost‑per‑install (CPI) benchmarks by up to 12 % compared with static creative pools. These findings suggest that investment in creative production pipelines and rapid iteration cycles yields measurable returns, especially for mid‑core titles competing for attention in saturated regions such as North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Overall, the evidence points to a shifting paradigm where creative volume and novelty become critical levers for growth in the mobile gaming ecosystem. Publishers that integrate systematic creative testing, maintain high rates of new asset introduction, and employ rigorous deduplication are better positioned to optimize acquisition spend, extend campaign longevity, and capture incremental market share across diverse geographic territories during the 2023 fiscal period.
MarketIQ · 2025
ReportQ2 2025 Gaming Ad Snapshot
The snapshot presents a mid‑year overview of mobile gaming advertising activity, emphasizing the scale of creative assets, audience composition, and platform performance in the second quarter of 2025. Leveraging MarketIQ’s ad‑intelligence engine, which indexes more than three billion ads, the analysis groups campaigns by image, video, and playable formats to surface benchmark performance and creative inspiration for marketers. A core finding is the gender split of the active audience, with males accounting for roughly 61 % and females 38.5 %, while an insignificant 0.8 % remain unclassified. Google Ads dominates the network landscape, followed by Facebook Ads, reflecting the primary channels through which gaming promotions are delivered. Creative trends highlighted include senior‑focused Mahjong titles, free‑to‑play shooters, and swipe‑based games, illustrating a diversification of themes and monetisation cues such as “No Wifi Needed” and “Get Free Robux.” Campaign metrics reveal a typical lifecycle of 13 million impressions expanding to 47 million, underscoring the rapid scaling potential of high‑performing assets. The data set draws from approximately 250 000 active campaign ads, providing a robust sample for benchmarking. Overall, the snapshot underscores the importance of data‑driven creative optimisation in mobile gaming, recommending that advertisers exploit MarketIQ’s extensive repository to identify top‑performing formats, refine copy, and align with the prevailing gender distribution and platform preferences observed in Q2 2025.
Investment & M&A
8 documentsReports in the Investment & M&A category.
Aream & Co · 2025
ReportVideo Game Market Update: Q3 2025
The global video game industry experienced a notable resurgence in growth during the third quarter of 2025, driven by a rebound in mobile in-app purchases and robust performance across PC and console platforms. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 served as a primary catalyst for console sector strength, reinforcing the enduring value of established intellectual property. While the broader capital markets faced significant headwinds, characterized by multi-year lows in public fundraising and subdued early-stage venture activity, the industry’s transaction landscape was defined by high-value consolidation. The $55 billion public takeover of Electronic Arts stands as the definitive event of the period, signaling a strategic shift toward large-scale mergers and acquisitions as the primary mechanism for growth. Market dynamics currently favor established entities, with diversified publishers and PC and console developers commanding significant valuation premiums due to their proven profitability and market stability. This environment has concentrated investment power among a select group of firms. BITKRAFT emerged as the most active participant in the early-stage ecosystem over the past twelve months, leading the sector with 16 deals totaling $113 million. Alongside other prominent investors like Bessemer Venture Partners and Menlo Ventures, these firms continue to deploy capital despite the broader contraction in private investment. Ultimately, the industry is transitioning into a phase of maturity where scale and intellectual property ownership are paramount. While early-stage funding remains constrained, the surge in total transaction value through megadeals indicates that institutional confidence remains high for proven assets. The current landscape suggests a bifurcated market where high-growth, established publishers attract significant capital, while smaller, early-stage ventures face a more challenging environment for securing liquidity and growth funding.
Drake Star Partners · 2026
ReportGlobal Gaming Report Q1 2026
LOS ANGELES | SAN FRANCISCO | NEW YORK | LONDON | PARIS | MUNICH | BERLIN | DUBAI PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN GAMING M&A AND GROWTH FINANCING ADVISORY PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN GAMING M&A AND GROWTH FINANCING ADVISORY MICHAEL METZGER JULIAN RIEDLBAUER Linkedin - Free social media icons MOHIT PAREEK Linkedin - Free social media icons MICHAEL METZGER JULIAN RIEDLBAUER ...
Market (PC & Console)
34 documentsReports in the Market (PC & Console) category.
Newzoo · 2023
ReportHow DLC boosts engagement for PC and console games
Downloadable content (DLC) serves as a critical driver for player engagement and long-term monetization in the PC and console gaming sectors. Analyzing over 1,600 content releases between April 2020 and April 2023 across 37 major markets, data indicates that DLC launches provide an average monthly active user (MAU) boost of 11%. This impact is most pronounced for medium-sized games with 250,000 to 2 million MAU, which experienced a 22% growth during launch months. While these releases successfully spike interest, engagement typically declines in the months following the initial release, highlighting the necessity of a consistent content pipeline to maintain player interest. Monetization trends in the United States further underscore the importance of post-launch content. In 2022, DLC accounted for 13% of PC revenue and 7% of console revenue, contributing to a landscape where in-game spending represents nearly half of total industry earnings. Strategy games emerged as the top-performing genre for DLC-driven growth, seeing a 30.5% average increase in MAU, followed by role-playing and adventure titles. These findings suggest that genres requiring deep mechanical updates or narrative expansions benefit most from the DLC model. Case studies of The Sims 4 and Dead Cells illustrate diverse strategic approaches to content delivery. Electronic Arts successfully utilized a "free-to-play" transition combined with a free base-game update to prime the audience for the "Growing Together" expansion, resulting in its most successful launch week since 2015. Conversely, Dead Cells demonstrated the power of high-profile collaborations, such as the Castlevania DLC, which drove a 225% MAU increase. However, the data also reveals a retention challenge, as a significant majority of players who engage with new DLC do not remain active in subsequent non-update months. This emphasizes that while DLC is a potent tool for re-acquisition and revenue, sustaining a permanent player base remains a complex hurdle for live-service titles.
Newzoo · 2024
ReportNewzoo PC & Console Gaming Report 2024
The 2024 Newzoo PC & Console Gaming Report presents a cautiously optimistic outlook for the global market, with 2023 revenues rising 2.6 % to $93.5 bn. Growth is largely driven by PC game sales, while console revenue increased modestly at 1.7 % YoY. Playtime is falling, and player growth is flattening: PC players are projected to grow at 1.6 % CAGR and console players at 3 % through 2026, making it increasingly difficult to expand the player base. Premium transactions dominate spending, accounting for roughly 56–57 % of total spend; live‑service and subscription models still lag behind full‑price titles, underscoring the need for studios to focus on high‑quality releases and robust content pipelines. Fortnite and Roblox command over 60 % of total playtime in 2023, reinforcing a highly concentrated market where established platforms and annual franchises dominate engagement. Quarterly playtime has fallen 26 % since Q1 2021, with older titles accounting for more than 60 % of hours and new releases only about 8 %. Live‑service pay‑to‑play games capture the majority of new‑title revenue, making it challenging for fresh IPs to gain traction. Concentration among publishers has tightened further: between 28 and 34 publishers captured 80 % of monthly active users in 2023, a trend that has been tightening since 2021. While the number of titles driving 75–90 % of MAU has remained roughly flat, playtime per user is falling. Over half of the top new releases are franchise titles, and remakes or transmedia adaptations can boost both new and legacy game MAU by 35–60 %. Multi‑platform play is significant, with nearly half of gamers (47 %) playing on two or more platforms. Multi‑platform players spend 79 % of their time and represent 41 % of the total player base, indicating higher engagement and spend. Emerging markets are projected to outpace established ones with a 4.7 % CAGR versus 0.2 %, and cloud gaming is identified as a key entry point due to high awareness (32 %) and low hardware barriers. Expanding beyond a single platform—especially into mobile or cloud services—offers new revenue routes but requires tailored experiences and messaging for diverse audiences.
Marketing
40 documentsReports in the Marketing category.
Kochava & TikTok for Business · 2025
ReportThe Power of Marketing Mix Modeling
This analysis explores the transition from traditional last-touch attribution (LTA) to next-generation marketing mix modeling (MMM) within the mobile gaming industry. It posits that while LTA has long been the standard for measuring return on ad spend (ROAS), it is increasingly inadequate due to systemic signal loss from privacy regulations (such as Apple’s AppTrackingTransparency), the rise of multi-platform gaming, and a heavy bias toward bottom-of-funnel channels that ignores the incremental value of top-of-funnel platforms like TikTok. The findings highlight a significant shift in the global gaming landscape, noting that the industry is projected to reach three billion players by 2029. Despite this growth, marketers face rising user acquisition costs, which are forecast to exceed $130 billion by 2025. Data from Kochava and TikTok indicates that LTA frequently under-attributes early-stage revenue events. For example, a case study shows that at a $5,000 daily spend, an MMM model attributed 43% more Day 7 revenue events to TikTok than a traditional LTA model, revealing that LTA often fails to capture the full impact of video-forward media. The scope of this research is global, with specific emphasis on the North American and Asia-Pacific markets, which accounted for $50 billion and $84 billion in 2023 revenue, respectively. The methodology involves comparing aggregated market-level data against granular user-level data to demonstrate how MMM identifies channel saturation and incrementality without relying on depreciating user identifiers. The conclusion advocates for a dual-wielding strategy where studios utilize both LTA for tactical, real-time creative optimization and next-gen MMM for strategic budget allocation and forecasting. Organizations spending over $160,000 monthly per region with a diverse mix of at least five media partners are identified as the primary beneficiaries of this advanced attribution framework.
SocialPeta & Reforged Labs · 2025
Report2025 Global Mobile Game Marketing Insights & Creative Breakdown
The 2025 Global Mobile Game Marketing Insights & Creative Breakdown provides a comprehensive analysis of the mobile advertising landscape, focusing on the evolution of ad creatives across more than 80 countries and 80 ad channels. Utilizing data from SocialPeta and Reforged Labs, the findings cover over 1.6 billion creatives and 10,000 tracked mobile games between January 2024 and October 2025. The primary thesis suggests that the mobile market is experiencing a significant surge in creative volume and a rapid shift toward AI-driven production to combat creative fatigue and rising competition. Key data points indicate that the average monthly creatives per advertiser rose to 123 in 2025, a nearly 20% year-over-year increase. New creatives now account for 58% of total monthly ads, peaking at over 60% in October. Geographically, North America and the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions lead in total creative volume, while Europe maintains the highest refresh rate for new content. From a genre perspective, Strategy Games (SLGs) dominate advertising intensity with 325 monthly creatives per advertiser, while Casino games lead in creative turnover, with new assets making up 65.6% of their monthly output. The analysis highlights a clear platform divide, with Android hosting 77.6% of total creatives compared to 22.4% on iOS. Hard-core games represent the largest share of iOS creatives at 34.7%, whereas light games are more prevalent on Android. Video remains the dominant format, particularly for Puzzle games, where it accounts for 83.5% of ads. Furthermore, the industry has reached a tipping point in automation, with over 90% of advertisers now utilizing AI to generate scenes, characters, or scripts. Case studies of top performers like Royal Match and Monopoly GO! emphasize that successful marketing currently relies on "hook" innovation—such as diegetic sound, tactile satisfaction, and subverting brand expectations—to maintain high return on ad spend in an oversaturated market.
Investment
0 documentsReports in the Investment category.
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Country & Regional Reports
39 documentsReports in the Country & Regional Reports category.
SGA · 2024
ReportSerbian Gaming Industry Report 2023
The 2023 Serbian gaming industry assessment quantifies the sector’s rapid expansion, maps its ecosystem, and evaluates the conditions shaping future growth. Drawing on a 97‑question survey that reached 80 % of the domestic ecosystem and validated financial data for the 21 leading firms, the analysis establishes a clear upward trajectory for Serbia’s game development landscape. Total industry revenue reached €175 million, a 17 % year‑on‑year increase, while the workforce nearly doubled to roughly 4,300 professionals. The market now hosts 38 active studios producing 81 titles, with mobile‑first games still dominant but ceding share to core and original‑IP projects. Talent inflows from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, together with 70 % of respondents expressing optimism, underpin this momentum, and a quarter of companies are planning foreign offices despite lingering concerns over tax incentives and regulatory red tape. The ecosystem comprises more than 140 companies and over 500 regional stakeholders, featuring high‑profile successes such as Foxy Voxel’s “Going Medieval” (850 k+ copies), GameBiz Consulting’s $250 million revenue from 80+ global studios, Onyx Studio’s 57 million monthly players, and Sozap’s NASDAQ listing with 30 million downloads. Collaborative ties with DICE/EA, Microsoft, Google and Epic Games, alongside mentoring programmes, Gamescom exposure, and the Shift2Games and Playing Narratives initiatives, reinforce Serbia’s emergence as a European development hub. At the same time, the rollout of generative‑AI tools raises IP, privacy and deep‑fake risks, prompting EU‑wide regulatory scrutiny. Overall, the sector is maturing into a diversified, internationally connected hub with strong growth prospects. Realising its potential will require addressing regulatory and fiscal barriers, leveraging AI responsibly, and sustaining education and mentorship programmes that nurture talent and support SMEs in scaling their operations.
data.ai · 2022
ReportState of Mobile 2022 Brazil
Brazil solidified its position as a global leader in mobile engagement throughout 2021, with users averaging 5.4 hours daily on apps, the highest rate in the world. This intense engagement fueled 10.3 billion new downloads and a 63% increase in consumer spending over two years, totaling $1.13 billion. The gaming sector acted as a primary catalyst for this expansion, contributing 4.5 billion downloads and $571 million in revenue. While Arcade and Action titles gained momentum, Free Fire remained a dominant force in the market, reflecting a strong national preference for the battle royale genre alongside short-form video platforms like TikTok. Beyond entertainment, the digital landscape underwent a structural shift toward financial and essential services. Finance app downloads surged by 91% over two years as a large underbanked population transitioned to neobanks such as Nubank and PicPay. This digital adoption extended to the retail and food sectors, where shopping app usage grew 45% year-over-year and food delivery sessions reached record peaks. International publishers captured over half of the shopping app market, signaling a highly competitive environment for domestic and overseas developers alike. Social engagement and utility apps also saw significant deepening of user habits. Social, photo, and video apps captured seventy percent of all mobile time, with live streaming and video-heavy communication driving record engagement. Health and fitness downloads rose 30% over two years, while the sports and travel sectors rebounded toward pre-pandemic levels. The diversification of the app economy was further evidenced by the rise of income-generating business tools and delivery driver platforms, illustrating that mobile devices have become central to both the personal lives and economic livelihoods of Brazilian consumers.
Web3 & Blockchain
12 documentsReports in the Web3 & Blockchain category.
People Management
7 documentsReports in the People Management category.
Games Jobs Live · 2022
ReportUK Games Jobs Summary: November 2022
The United Kingdom games industry experienced a notable contraction in recruitment activity during November 2022, continuing a downward trend observed throughout the second half of the year. Open vacancies decreased by several hundred positions compared to the previous month, leaving the market with over 500 fewer available roles than in June 2022. This decline aligns with broader global and domestic technology sector layoffs. While major development hubs such as London, Guildford, Leamington Spa, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Manchester remain the primary centers for recruitment, these locations have seen a significant reduction in active job postings. The downturn has impacted various industry segments and disciplines unevenly. Mobile studios recorded the highest proportional reduction in open roles, often attributed to the fulfillment or removal of positions following major corporate mergers. Despite the general decline in volume, the market shows resilience in specific areas; two less prominent geographic regions bucked the national trend by increasing their job offerings. Furthermore, while senior and experienced roles remain prevalent, there was a recorded increase in advertised junior positions, suggesting a continued interest in developing entry-level talent despite broader economic headwinds. Data indicates that Software Engineers, Producers, and Senior Environment Artists are among the most sought-after titles. Programming, Art, and Design remain the dominant hiring categories, though most disciplines have seen a net loss in postings. The age of available jobs suggests a mix of immediate needs and long-term vacancies, with over 600 new jobs added in the month preceding the summary. This analysis is based on a comprehensive database of UK game studios, which expanded by eight new companies during this period, providing a representative snapshot of the hiring landscape across AAA, AA, mobile, indie, and service-based sectors.
InGameJob & Values Value · 2025
ReportBig Games Industry Employment Survey 2025: Salaries, Compensation Trends and State of the Games Sector in Europe
The European games industry entered 2025 in a state of significant distress, characterized by widespread layoffs, stagnant wages, and a sharp decline in employee well-being. Approximately 26% of professionals across the continent experienced layoffs, with junior-level talent bearing the brunt of the instability as 39% exited the sector entirely. This contraction has shifted the labor market from a growth-oriented environment to one focused on cost optimization. Consequently, employee engagement scores have plummeted, and over half of the workforce reports suffering from professional burnout. Financial stability has replaced company mission as the primary motivator for 87% of workers, many of whom are now accepting inferior contract terms or pay cuts to remain employed. Compensation trends reveal a deepening divide based on geography, seniority, and specialization. While median salaries remain highest in the Fighting and MMO genres, reaching up to €90,000 in the EU and UK, a persistent gender pay gap continues to affect technical and C-level roles. Programmers have seen a downward trend in compensation due to increased competition and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence. AI adoption has surged, with over 60% of professionals now using these tools regularly, particularly in analytics and management. However, creative fields like art and quality assurance remain more resistant to AI integration, even as these specific roles face the highest risks of unemployment and long-term job searches. Workplace culture is currently defined by a regression in structured support and a rise in management inefficiency. The number of companies lacking dedicated diversity and inclusion specialists has increased to 67%, while nearly one-third of developers report stagnant professional growth. Although remote flexibility remains a high priority, the shift toward pragmatic relocation suggests that workers are increasingly making career decisions based on cost-of-living calculations rather than traditional ambition. This environment of instability has doubled the rate of long-term unemployment, leaving the European games industry with a workforce that is increasingly disillusioned and prioritized toward survival over innovation.
Blockchain
0 documentsReports in the Blockchain category.
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Investments
58 documentsReports in the Investments category.
PitchBook · 2024
FinancialGaming Report: VC Trends and Emerging Opportunities Q4 2023
The analysis tracks global venture‑capital activity in the gaming sector for the fourth quarter of 2023, highlighting a modest rebound in deal volume and capital while underscoring a broader contraction relative to the pandemic‑driven peak years. Across the quarter, 126 deals generated roughly $1.0 billion in funding, marking a 0.8 % rise in deal count and a 10.4 % increase in value versus the previous quarter. Year‑over‑year, however, the market slipped 17.6 % in deals and 15.5 % in capital, with cumulative 2023 investment falling 47.2 % in count and 72 % in value compared with the prior twelve months. Total capital raised in 2023 reached $4.1 billion, slightly above 2019 levels but representing the second‑lowest annual total since 2017. Segment‑level allocation shows content‑focused startups attracting the largest share of funding—$438.4 million across 71 deals—followed by development firms with $288.7 million in 29 deals. The access segment recorded $150 million, driven largely by a single large transaction. Emerging opportunities identified include back‑end‑as‑a‑service platforms, anti‑toxicity and content‑moderation tools, and AI‑enhanced creation pipelines. Early‑stage highlights feature Stability AI’s $86 million development round, Leonardo.ai’s $47 million Series A, and Noice’s $21 million livestream venture, the latter projected with an 87 % probability of an M&A exit. Strategic acquisition patterns since 2019 reveal Unity, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Tencent as the most active buyers, while venture investors such as BITKRAFT Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and Play Ventures dominate funding participation. The findings are derived from PitchBook’s global database of venture‑backed and growth‑stage gaming companies, employing deal‑count, valuation, and exit metrics to assess market dynamics.
Drake Star Partners · 2023
FinancialGlobal Gaming Report 2023: Investment & M&A Overview
The global gaming industry experienced a significant year for deal-making in 2023, characterized by record-breaking transaction values and a return to pre-pandemic activity levels. Total disclosed deal value for closed transactions reached $86 billion, a figure heavily influenced by the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. Despite a broader market stabilization, the industry saw 960 announced deals throughout the year, with a total disclosed value of approximately $20 billion. Mergers and acquisitions were particularly robust in the PC and console segments, which saw 44 deals, followed closely by mobile with 37. Notable transactions included Savvy Games Group’s $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely and Tencent’s majority stake in Techland for $1.6 billion. Private financing remained steady, with over $3.5 billion raised across more than 750 rounds. While mobile led financing activity, blockchain and platform tools remained high-interest areas for venture capital firms such as Bitkraft and Andreessen Horowitz. Investors showed a clear preference for early-stage opportunities, with over 85% of fourth-quarter financings directed toward seed and early-stage companies. The geographic scope of the analysis is global, with significant data points covering North America, Europe, and Asian markets, particularly Japan, Korea, and China. Public market performance showed a gradual recovery, with the Drake Star Gaming Index rising 11.5% over the year. Looking toward 2024, the outlook suggests a steady increase in M&A activity, driven by strategic buyers like Tencent, Sony, and Savvy Games Group. Market trends indicate a shift toward smaller and mid-sized deals, a continued focus on artificial intelligence and VR/AR tools, and a potential resurgence of initial public offerings in the latter half of the year as public valuations improve. Private equity is expected to play a larger role in taking undervalued public companies private, while entrepreneurs are increasingly prioritizing early profitability over long-term growth.
Advertising & Monetization
6 documentsReports in the Advertising & Monetization category.
Marketing (Mobile)
1 documentReports in the Marketing (Mobile) category.
Web3 & Metaverse
4 documentsReports in the Web3 & Metaverse category.
Game7 Research · 2024
ReportThe State of Web3 Gaming 2024
The Web3 gaming market entered a phase of maturation in 2024, marked by a strategic pivot from rapid expansion to ecosystem stability. While new game announcements decreased by 36%, project discontinuations plummeted by 84%, signaling a more resilient landscape. Indie developers currently drive over 90% of new launches, though technical integration remains a significant hurdle, with only 34% of titles successfully incorporating blockchain infrastructure. To combat the inflationary failures of earlier economic models, the industry is shifting toward "Play-to-Airdrop" mechanics to foster more sustainable player engagement. Geographically, the APAC region and the United States remain the primary hubs for development, collectively hosting the majority of active teams. Genre dominance continues to favor RPG, Casual, and Action titles, which also attract the bulk of stabilized venture capital funding. A notable shift in distribution is underway as Telegram emerged as a powerhouse platform, capturing 21% of new game launches, while the Epic Games Store expanded its Web3 portfolio to nearly 100 titles. This evolution in accessibility is mirrored by a technical migration toward Layer 2 and Layer 3 solutions, which now account for 57% of new game launches. Infrastructure is becoming increasingly specialized, with 64% of new blockchains designed specifically for gaming. Although the Ethereum Virtual Machine ecosystem maintains its dominance, high-growth frameworks like Arbitrum Orbit and Immutable are driving a record number of migrations as developers seek more efficient environments. Despite a 200% surge in token launches, investors maintain a conservative outlook, prioritizing high-quality game content over foundational infrastructure. This growth occurs against a fragmented regulatory backdrop, where developers must navigate the rigorous enforcement of the U.S. SEC alongside more structured frameworks in Asia and the European Union.
Adaverse · 2024
ReportState of Web3 in Saudi Arabia: 2024 KSA Report
Saudi Arabia is rapidly establishing itself as a premier regional hub for Web3 innovation, propelled by the strategic objectives of Vision 2030 and a demographic profile characterized by a young, digitally native population. The Kingdom has secured a dominant position in the MENA venture capital landscape, capturing over 50 percent of regional funding in early 2024. This financial momentum is bolstered by robust government support, significant investments in gaming and esports, and a burgeoning startup ecosystem that is increasingly applying blockchain technology to sectors such as fintech, environmental sustainability, and secure ticketing. Despite this rapid expansion, the ecosystem faces structural challenges that must be addressed to achieve mass-market adoption. Industry stakeholders identify regulatory uncertainty, market volatility, and a persistent shortage of specialized talent as primary barriers to sustainable growth. Furthermore, the current technical complexity of decentralized applications remains a significant hurdle for the average user. Experts emphasize that for Web3 to integrate successfully into the broader economy, developers must prioritize the creation of intuitive, value-driven user interfaces that abstract away technical complexities, shifting the focus from decentralization for its own sake to practical, real-world utility. The long-term success of the Saudi Web3 sector depends on the continued alignment of technological development with national economic diversification goals. By fostering deeper collaboration between government regulators, academic institutions, and private industry, the Kingdom aims to create a stable and business-friendly environment. As the ecosystem matures, the transition from foundational infrastructure to sophisticated, user-centric applications will be critical in cementing Saudi Arabia’s status as a global leader in blockchain innovation and digital transformation.
Non-Gaming (Mobile)
1 documentReports in the Non-Gaming (Mobile) category.
Blockchain & Metaverse
2 documentsReports in the Blockchain & Metaverse category.
Newzoo · 2022
ReportGames, Esports, Live Streaming, Cloud and the Metaverse: 2022
The global gaming industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation characterized by the convergence of traditional media, high-fidelity content, and emerging Web3 technologies. The primary thesis posits that the sector is shifting toward an interconnected, cross-platform ecosystem where revenue diversification and creator-driven engagement models are essential for growth. While consumer skepticism persists regarding blockchain-based assets and NFTs, publishers are successfully navigating this transition by prioritizing mobile esports, co-streaming strategies, and efforts to circumvent restrictive app store ecosystems to foster deeper fan loyalty. Technological infrastructure is evolving to support this expansion, with cloud-based solutions and Platform-as-a-Service models playing a critical role in mitigating hardware limitations. By integrating gaming experiences into smart TVs and leveraging cloud technology, companies are effectively broadening their reach to new demographics. Simultaneously, the metaverse has emerged as a significant focal point for venture capital and brand investment, as corporations increasingly utilize digital fashion and virtual real estate to capture the attention of younger, digitally native audiences. Geographically, the market remains dominated by the Asia-Pacific region, which generates $88.2 billion in annual revenue, representing over half of the global total. North America follows with $42.6 billion, maintaining a strong position in the industry landscape. However, the long-term trajectory of the market is increasingly influenced by emerging territories in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. These regions are currently expanding at rates exceeding the global average, signaling a gradual decentralization of revenue and a more diverse, globalized future for the interactive entertainment sector.
DappRadar · 2023
ReportState of Blockchain Gaming Q1 2023 Report
**Investment in Blockchain Games (Q4 2022 → Q1 2023)** | Quarter | Investment (USD) | Investment (Bn USD) | % Quarter‑over‑Quarter Change | |---------|------------------|----------------------|--------------------------------| | Q4 2022 | **≈ $654.5 million** | **≈ 0.655 Bn** | – | | Q1 2023 | **$739 million** | **0.739 Bn** | **+12.95 %** | **How the numbers were derived** - The report states that Q1 2023 saw a **12.95 % increase** over the previous quarter and that the Q1 2023 total was **$739 M**. - To back‑calculate the Q4 2022 figure: \[ \text{Q4 2022 Investment} = \frac{\text{Q1 2023 Investment}}{1 + 0.1295} = \frac{739\text{ M}}{1.1295} \approx 654.5\text{ M} \] - Converting to billions (1 Bn = 1,000 M): \[ 654.5\text{ M} \approx 0.655\text{ Bn} \qquad 739\text{ M} = 0.739\text{ Bn} \] **Key take‑away** - **Q1 2023** investment in blockchain gaming and metaverse projects reached **$739 M (0.739 Bn)**, marking a **robust 12.95 % quarter‑over‑quarter growth** from the **≈ $654.5 M (0.655 Bn)** invested in **Q4 2022**. This upward trajectory underscores the accelerating capital interest in the blockchain gaming sector.
VR & AR
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