Collections
Expert-curated collections organized by topic and theme.
Market (Overall)
223 documentsReports in the Market (Overall) category.
data.ai · 2023
ReportGaming Spotlight 2023: The Year in Review
The 2023 Gaming Spotlight provides a comprehensive analysis of the global gaming landscape, focusing on market shifts across mobile, PC, and console platforms during the first half of 2023. Utilizing data from data.ai and IDC, the analysis highlights that while mobile remains the largest market opportunity, it faces a projected 2% year-over-year decline in consumer spend to $108 billion. This softening is attributed to macroeconomic instability, privacy regulations like Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT), and stricter regulations on adolescent gaming in China. In contrast, home console and PC/Mac spending are expected to rise by 3% and 4% respectively, driven by increased hardware availability and subscription-based revenue. Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region remains a primary revenue driver, with South Korea showing significant market share gains. The report identifies a shift in handheld gaming; while the Nintendo Switch Lite faces declining interest, newer devices like the Steam Deck are gaining traction, albeit with distinct demographic profiles. Mobile gaming success in H1 2023 was defined by titles like Monopoly GO and Honkai: Star Rail, which leveraged strong intellectual property and sophisticated monetization strategies, such as high-value in-app purchases and social engagement features. A significant portion of the analysis examines user acquisition and monetization challenges. Findings indicate that US gamer sentiment toward in-game advertising is deteriorating, with negative sentiment toward banner and video ads rising significantly. Rewarded video remains the most tolerated format due to its clear value exchange, though even its popularity has dipped. The report concludes that as acquisition costs rise and tracking becomes more difficult, publishers must optimize creative strategies—particularly through playable ads for action genres—and diversify monetization models beyond traditional ads to include subscriptions and battle passes to maintain growth in an increasingly competitive and privacy-conscious environment.
Sega Sammy Holdings · 2024
FinancialQ1 for the Fiscal Year Ending March 2025 Results Presentation
Sega Sammy Holdings reported a steady start to the fiscal year ending March 2025, characterized by strategic portfolio restructuring and targeted expansion into the online gaming market. For the first quarter, the company recorded sales of 104.7 billion yen and an operating income of 19.3 billion yen. While these figures represent a slight year-over-year decline in top-line revenue, profit attributable to owners of the parent rose significantly to 24.5 billion yen. This increase was primarily driven by an extraordinary income of 8.4 billion yen following the transfer of Phoenix Resort shares to Fortress Investment Group, a move intended to leverage specialized expertise in the hospitality sector while retaining a 20% voting interest. The Entertainment Contents segment remains the primary growth engine, generating 72.5 billion yen in sales during the quarter. Performance was bolstered by favorable foreign exchange impacts and the integration of Rovio. Although full-game unit sales reached 5.86 million units—surpassing the previous year—the company expects its most significant revenue contributions to occur from the third quarter onward with the launch of major titles such as Sonic X Shadow Generations and Metaphor: ReFantazio. In the Pachislot and Pachinko segment, the company maintained a steady pace with 28.8 billion yen in sales, preparing for the second-quarter launch of the featured smart pachinko title, e Hokuto No Ken 10. Geographically, the company is aggressively targeting the North American market. This is evidenced by the July 2024 announcement to acquire Stakelogic B.V. for an enterprise value of €130 million. This acquisition, combined with the previous GAN agreement, aims to establish a comprehensive B2B online gaming platform. Additionally, the Gaming segment saw strong U.S. performance from the Railroad Riches slot series. Looking ahead, Sega Sammy has outlined a three-year capital allocation plan through FY2027, earmarking over 120 billion yen for R&D and 100 billion yen for strategic investments, while maintaining a shareholder return policy of at least a 3% DOE or a 50% total return ratio.
Market (Mobile)
137 documentsReports in the Market (Mobile) category.
GameAnalytics · 2021
ReportTower Defense Games 2020 Industry Snapshot
The tower defense sub-genre within the mobile arcade category demonstrated significant monetization potential and engagement depth throughout 2020. Based on an analysis of over 134,000 integrated games and 900 million unique monthly players, the sector is characterized by high-value users and strong global performance. Key financial benchmarks reveal that tower defense titles achieve an average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) of $83, significantly outperforming related genres like board games and idlers. Furthermore, the sub-genre maintains an average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU) of $1.66 and a daily conversion rate of 3.83%, indicating a highly effective monetization funnel compared to other casual arcade segments. Geographic performance varies by metric, with European and Asian markets showing the strongest engagement. Italy leads in Day 7 retention at 39%, while France records the highest average playtime at 210 minutes. China stands out as the most effective market for monetization, boasting a conversion rate of 8.7%, nearly double that of the United States at 4.6%. These figures suggest that while Western audiences engage deeply in terms of time, Asian markets provide superior direct financial returns. The success of the genre is attributed to its accessible core mechanics, which offer immediate satisfaction and high replayability. Developers benefit from a sustainable content model where minor adjustments to characters or obstacles can shift the entire meta-game without requiring extensive new map design. The integration of meta-features such as daily challenges, cooperative modes, and PvP elements further drives player stickiness. Notable market entrants in 2020, including Kingdom Wars Defense and Rush Royale, exemplify these trends by blending traditional defense mechanics with RPG and merge elements to capture high user ratings and market share.
AppLovin · 2025
ReportIntelligence Top Mobile Games Challenges: A User Acquisition, Ad & Product Monetization Report
The mobile gaming landscape heading into 2025 is defined by the critical difficulty of performing within an increasingly crowded market space. Approximately 41% of user acquisition managers identify market saturation and rising costs per installment as their primary obstacles, driven largely by intense competition from non-gaming entities. This environment has forced a strategic pivot away from traditional acquisition tactics toward sustainable growth rooted in long-term retention and creative iteration. Consequently, the industry is transitioning from a focus on sheer volume to a model centered on maximizing lifetime user value through sophisticated engagement strategies. Ad monetization and product management sectors face parallel pressures, specifically regarding effective user segmentation and the declining value of electronic cost per mille (eCPM). While segmentation is the most widespread concern for monetization teams, senior executives are particularly focused on innovating new revenue streams to compensate for diminishing ad returns. In the realm of product management, LiveOps development and the accurate assessment of return on investment have emerged as the dominant priorities. Nearly 30% of product managers rank LiveOps as their most significant challenge, outweighing traditional concerns such as game economy balancing or initial prototype testing. To navigate these hurdles, the industry is moving toward data-driven personalization and revenue diversification. Success in the maturing mobile market now requires leveraging artificial intelligence for audience segmentation and expanding monetization models to include subscriptions and alternative storefronts. By moving beyond simple acquisition hacks and focusing on robust LiveOps and incremental growth through retention, developers aim to stabilize revenue in a volatile privacy-centric environment. This shift underscores a broader industry evolution where deep audience understanding and operational agility are the primary drivers of commercial viability.
Country Reports
35 documentsReports in the Country Reports category.
Lumikai · 2024
ReportLevelling Up: State of India Interactive Media & Gaming Research FY'24
The Indian interactive media and gaming market reached a valuation of $3.8 billion in FY24, representing a significant 30% share of the country’s broader $12.5 billion new media sector. Growth is characterized by a 20% five-year projected CAGR, with expectations to exceed $9.2 billion by FY29. This expansion is primarily driven by a 41% year-on-year increase in in-app purchase revenue, particularly within the midcore segment, which grew by 53%. While Real Money Gaming (RMG) remains a major contributor, recent changes to the GST regime have led to margin compression and increased user acquisition costs for operators in that sub-sector. The player base in India has expanded to 590 million gamers, with 148 million identified as paying users. Engagement metrics show a 30% increase in average weekly time spent, rising from 10 to 13 hours. Demographic data reveals a diversifying landscape where 44% of gamers are women and 66% reside in non-metro cities. Notably, there is a high degree of overlap between gaming categories, as over 60% of RMG paying users also spend money on midcore titles. Payment behaviors are heavily modernized, with 83% of users utilizing UPI or digital wallets for transactions. The regulatory environment is shifting toward formal recognition and support, with the government identifying gaming as a "sunrise sector." New frameworks distinguish between RMG and Free-to-Play (F2P) games for taxation purposes, while esports has been officially integrated under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. These findings are based on a mixed-methods research design conducted between May and October 2024, incorporating a primary survey of 2,269 smartphone users across 16 Indian cities alongside secondary analysis of financial statements and proprietary industry data.
Video Games Europe · 2024
ReportEuropean Key Facts 2024: Video Games
The European video games industry represents a high-growth strategic sector that generated €26.8 billion in revenue in 2024, with digital channels accounting for 90% of all sales. This robust economic activity supports over 116,000 skilled professionals across 6,000 studios and serves a diverse player base comprising 54% of the European population. Mobile gaming remains the dominant platform, utilized by 71% of the region's 127 million players. To manage this vast ecosystem, the industry relies on the PEGI age-rating system across 40 countries, ensuring a standardized approach to consumer protection and responsible gameplay. Central to the industry’s operational integrity is a rigorous regulatory framework focused on monetization transparency and online safety. Updated standards mandate the disclosure of loot box probabilities and strictly prohibit the exchange of virtual items for real-world currency. Safety protocols are reinforced by comprehensive parental controls, currently adopted by 67% of parents, alongside mandatory age-verification tools and reporting mechanisms for harmful content. Compliance is maintained through a tiered enforcement system, where severe violations of age-rating or safety standards can result in financial penalties of up to €500,000. Beyond economic and regulatory concerns, the sector is increasingly defined by its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Major regional initiatives across Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany are driving diversity and inclusion through measurable policy changes and scholarships aimed at increasing female participation. Simultaneously, the industry is pursuing aggressive decarbonization through the Playing for the Planet Alliance and voluntary agreements that have already yielded significant energy savings in hardware manufacturing. These efforts are complemented by the integration of environmental themes into gameplay and the development of carbon calculators to assist studios in achieving long-term sustainability goals.
eSports & Streaming
11 documentsReports in the Esports & Streaming category.
Stream Hatchet · 2021
ReportVideo Game Streaming Trends Report: 2021 Yearly Report
This analysis of the 2021 live streaming landscape reveals that the industry has moved beyond a pandemic-driven fad to become a central pillar of global pop culture. Total watch time across major western platforms—Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming—grew 21% year-over-year, reaching an average of 653 million hours per week. While Twitch remains the market leader with a 71% share of total hours watched, the competition for second place intensified as Facebook Gaming’s strong growth in international markets and mobile gaming allowed it to surpass YouTube Gaming in watch time during the second half of the year. The findings highlight a significant shift toward mobile gaming and international audiences. Mobile titles like Garena Free Fire and PUBG Mobile accounted for several of the year's peak viewership moments and top-ten rankings. Geographically, Twitch dominates the Americas and Western Europe, while YouTube and Facebook have established strongholds in Asia by leveraging mobile-friendly ecosystems. Despite this growth, the industry faces a persistent gender gap; only 5% of the top 200 streamers are female, and the percentage of female creators among the top 3,000 influencers saw a slight year-over-year decrease to 27%. Economic data indicates a highly concentrated creator economy where the top 1.2% of Twitch influencers generate nearly 16% of total revenue from subscriptions and bits. While the "Mega" tier of influencers averages $841,000 in annual revenue, 93% of streamers remain in the "Micro" tier, earning an average of $6,000 per year. The analysis concludes that long-term consistency is the primary barrier to entry, as reaching the highest revenue tiers typically requires five years of active broadcasting. This data was compiled by Stream Hatchet through the aggregation of granular viewership metrics across the leading global streaming platforms throughout the 2021 calendar year.
Newzoo · 2022
ReportConsumer Insights: Games & Esports 2022
Gaming has evolved into a multi-dimensional entertainment ecosystem where traditional play is no longer the sole driver of engagement. Findings indicate that 79% of the global online population are game enthusiasts, participating through playing, viewing content, or socializing in virtual worlds. This shift is most pronounced among younger generations; for Gen Alpha, gaming has surpassed social media and streaming video as the primary source of entertainment. The research highlights a significant trend toward the "metaverse," with 75% of players and 44% of non-players engaging in game worlds for social interaction without playing the core game. This high level of engagement translates into substantial economic impact, with consumer spending in the sector projected to exceed $200 billion in 2023. Approximately half of Gen Alpha, Gen Z, and Millennial gamers are already classified as payers, a figure expected to rise as younger cohorts gain independent purchasing power. Data suggests that gamers are a highly receptive audience for brands, exhibiting 36% more positive attitudes toward brand messaging compared to non-players. However, the diversity of the audience necessitates a nuanced approach. Using proprietary segmentation, the analysis shows that while older generations often act as "Time Fillers," younger audiences are more likely to be "Ultimate Gamers" or "All-Round Enthusiasts." Even within the same genre, such as Battle Royale, player demographics and motivations vary significantly between titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends, affecting their preferences for products like energy drinks or alcohol. The findings are based on a 2022 study utilizing Computer Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) with a representative sample of 75,930 respondents. The scope covers 36 global markets across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, targeting the online population aged 10 to 65. Additional sentiment studies on the metaverse and blockchain gaming supplement the core consumer data.
Financial Reports
29 documentsReports in the Financial Reports category.
Investment & M&A
3 documentsReports in the Investment & M&A category.
Drake Star Partners · 2023
FinancialDrake Star Global Gaming Report 2023
The global gaming industry experienced a significant transition in 2023, moving from the hyper-growth phase of the pandemic toward a normalized market environment characterized by strategic consolidation and targeted investment. While the year recorded a massive $86 billion in closed deal value, this figure was heavily skewed by the landmark Microsoft-Activision acquisition. Excluding such outliers, the broader landscape shifted toward smaller, mid-sized transactions, with 163 announced M&A deals totaling $10.5 billion and over $3.5 billion raised across 750 private financing rounds. PC and console segments dominated the M&A space, whereas mobile and blockchain ventures captured the majority of private financing volume. Strategic priorities for industry participants have evolved to emphasize the acquisition of intellectual property and the integration of transformative technologies. Firms such as Aonic Group, Modern Times Group, and Xsolla have actively expanded their portfolios to incorporate content creation tools, multiplayer capabilities, and virtual reality infrastructure. This focus on long-term value creation is further evidenced by the industry’s increasing interest in generative AI and Web3, which are viewed as critical drivers for future growth and operational efficiency. Looking ahead to 2024, the market is poised for a steady increase in activity as private equity firms capitalize on undervalued public companies and major industry players like Tencent, Sony, and Savvy Games Group continue their strategic investments. Although the current climate reflects a cautious approach to valuation, the outlook remains positive, with expectations for a resurgence in IPO activity as macroeconomic conditions stabilize. The sector is effectively pivoting toward a more disciplined investment model, prioritizing sustainable growth and technological integration to navigate the complexities of the global gaming ecosystem.
Aream & Co. · 2025
FinancialVideo Game Market Update: Q4 2025
The fourth quarter of 2025 confirms a continued expansion of the global video‑game market, driven by robust performance across core platforms and a surge in ancillary services. PC sales on Steam rose 20 percent year‑over‑year, while console revenue posted a comparable increase, underscoring sustained consumer demand for both traditional and digital distribution channels. This growth is complemented by a rapid rise in rewarded‑app installations, which have compounded at a 42 percent annual rate from 2021 to 2025 and now support roughly 24 million monthly active users, reflecting the increasing monetisation of interactive micro‑experiences within mobile ecosystems. Investment activity in the early‑stage gaming sector remains tightly concentrated among a small cohort of venture firms. Airoclip led the market in deal volume with ten transactions, whereas Catalyst deployed the greatest capital, allocating $146 million across its portfolio. Other notable participants—Griffin, Arcadia and Laton—maintain a significant but secondary presence, indicating a market where capital is funneled toward a limited set of high‑potential developers and technology providers. Overall, the data portray a video‑game industry that is not only expanding in traditional hardware‑driven segments but also diversifying through mobile reward mechanisms and focused venture investment. The convergence of strong consumer uptake and concentrated financing suggests a trajectory of continued growth, with emerging opportunities concentrated in mobile micro‑transactions and early‑stage innovation pipelines.
Market (PC & Console)
30 documentsReports in the Market (PC & Console) category.
Video Game Insights · 2025
ReportThe Big Game Engine Report of 2025
The Big Game Engine Report 2025 examines the shifting landscape of game development technology, focusing on the transition from proprietary in-house tools to third-party public engines. The analysis covers over 13,000 games released on Steam, tracking market share trends from 2012 through 2024 with projections reaching 2030. Findings are based on proprietary estimations and tagging methodologies that categorize engines into three tiers: dominant public engines (Unity and Unreal), smaller public engines (Godot, GameMaker, RPG Maker), and custom in-house engines used by major AAA studios. The central thesis posits that the era of dominant in-house engines is ending as major studios increasingly adopt Unreal Engine 5 to reduce maintenance costs and access a broader talent pool. While custom engines powered over 70% of Steam releases in 2012, they accounted for only 13% of releases in 2024. In terms of commercial performance, custom engines still represent 42% of units sold, but this is the first time they have fallen below the 50% threshold. Unreal Engine has capitalized on this shift, particularly in the AAA space, while Unity remains the leader in sheer volume, powering 51% of all 2024 releases. The data highlights a clear correlation between game size and engine choice. Unity dominates the "Tiny" and "Small" categories (under 100k units), whereas custom engines and Unreal Engine control the "Large" segment (over 1M units). Emerging trends show Godot as the fastest-growing smaller engine, driving over two-thirds of the growth in its tier since 2020. Looking forward, the industry expects a continued migration toward Unreal Engine 5, with Unity projected to face increasing pressure from open-source alternatives like Godot in the indie sector while struggling to gain further ground in the high-end AAA market.
Sony Group · 2024
FinancialGame & Network Services Segment
The Game & Network Services segment demonstrates a robust market position characterized by a PlayStation 5 monthly active user base of 118 million and a significant increase in per-console spending, which currently averages $731. This financial performance is underpinned by a strategic shift toward a digital-first ecosystem and recurring revenue models, evidenced by 35% of PlayStation Plus subscribers migrating to premium tiers. Looking toward the FY24–26 period, the primary objective is to secure sustainable profitability by balancing traditional hardware sales with an expanded peripheral lineup and the integration of AI and hybrid cloud technologies to optimize engineering efficiencies. The operational strategy for PlayStation Studios emphasizes a multi-format expansion of intellectual property across console, PC, and live service platforms. Following a period of aggressive studio acquisitions between FY21 and FY23, the focus has transitioned toward disciplined development frameworks and the management of a diversified portfolio. This portfolio includes high-performing tentpole franchises, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Helldivers 2, alongside transformational live services and experimental titles. By leveraging broader corporate synergies, the segment aims to maximize the reach of its core IP while utilizing AI-driven tools to streamline production costs and timelines. Future growth remains subject to a complex landscape of macroeconomic and technological risks. Intense market competition and rapid shifts in consumer technology necessitate constant innovation, while financial outcomes are sensitive to foreign exchange volatility, particularly involving the Yen, USD, and Euro. Furthermore, global stability is pressured by geopolitical conflicts and regulatory scrutiny, which may impact supply chains and international operations. Maintaining product quality and cybersecurity remains a critical priority as the segment navigates these external pressures to achieve its long-term financial targets.
Marketing
37 documentsReports in the Marketing category.
Anzu & Semcasting · 2025
ReportThe 2025 Guide to US Gaming Audiences: From Data to Personas
The 2025 United States gaming landscape reflects a profound demographic shift, moving away from the outdated stereotype of the isolated young male toward a mainstream, diverse population nearly evenly split by gender. Modern gamers are characterized by high levels of education and financial stability, with a significant portion of the audience falling into middle-to-high income brackets ranging from $51,000 to over $250,000 in net worth. This population views gaming as a social and familial cornerstone rather than a solitary pursuit, possessing substantial purchasing power that prioritizes immediate lifestyle quality, premium groceries, and discretionary spending over long-term asset accumulation. Physical activity and convenience define the daily habits of this audience, as they over-index in gym attendance and outdoor recreation. Consumer behavior remains nuanced across different genres; for instance, Action and Simulation players tend to be more tech-focused and affluent, whereas Casual and Arcade gamers often reside in multi-generational, value-conscious households. Despite these differences, a universal reliance on delivery services, mainstream fast-food brands, and budget-friendly fitness options persists across the entire segment. This suggests a consumer base that values efficiency and digital integration in their physical lives. The market is further segmented into distinct personas ranging from tech-savvy "Young Lifestyle Explorers" to financially secure "Golden Fans" over the age of 70. High-value opportunities for precision targeting exist within specific niches, such as sports gamers who dominate the highest income tiers or board and trivia enthusiasts who exhibit practical, family-oriented spending patterns. Geographically concentrated in hubs like Iowa and Hawaii, these diverse audiences offer brands a sophisticated landscape of consumers who defy traditional tropes, presenting a high-value target for advertisers across nearly every life stage and socioeconomic category.
Sensor Tower · 2023
ReportHow Starfield Reached 10M Users
The launch of Starfield represents a significant evolution in Bethesda’s marketing methodology, transitioning from traditional brand-focused teasers to a sophisticated, multi-channel digital strategy. By prioritizing TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch, the campaign successfully targeted modern gaming audiences, ultimately reaching 10 million players to become the largest launch in the studio's history. A central component of this success was the strategic integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem, which emphasized immediate availability on Xbox Game Pass and utilized AI-driven cross-promotion via Bing. This approach was bolstered by hardware partnerships with companies like AMD, which bundled the game with PC components to incentivize premium edition adoption. The financial scale of the campaign was substantial, involving a $21.2 million advertising spend in the United States, which accounted for approximately 70% to 77% of the total global marketing budget. During the critical launch window, investment pivoted heavily toward Over-the-Top media and short-form video content. While these efforts secured a top-30 all-time peak on Steam and record-breaking player counts, the title faced a complex competitive landscape. Simultaneous releases and updates for Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 contributed to a polarized reception, reflected in a Metacritic user score of 6.6/10 despite the game's commercial dominance. Data-driven market intelligence remains essential for navigating such competitive environments, as evidenced by the reliance on digital monitoring tools to optimize regional targeting and creative messaging. By analyzing competitor spending and platform-specific engagement, major industry entities like Activision and Electronic Arts continue to refine their strategies. The Starfield case study illustrates that while massive financial investment and platform exclusivity can drive unprecedented user acquisition, long-term sentiment is increasingly shaped by the broader market context and the specific demands of a digitally native player base.
Investment
0 documentsReports in the Investment category.
No documents in this collection yet.
Country & Regional Reports
32 documentsReports in the Country & Regional Reports category.
Web3 & Blockchain
11 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.
Skillsearch · 2023
Report2023 Games & Interactive Salary & Satisfaction Survey
The global games and interactive industry is currently navigating a period of significant transition characterized by a shift in worker priorities toward financial security and flexible work arrangements. Financial remuneration has emerged as the primary driver for job changes, with 31% of professionals citing salary as their main motivation. This trend is largely fueled by the cost of living crisis, which impacts 77% of the workforce. Despite these economic pressures, 62% of employers have yet to implement measures to address rising living costs, creating a disconnect between employee needs and corporate support. Workplace culture and flexibility represent critical areas of interest for the 2023 outlook. While 92% of respondents now expect remote work options, there is a growing demand for a four-day work week, which 82% of the industry views as a catalyst for improved morale and productivity. However, adoption remains low, with only 7% of studios currently offering such a schedule. Furthermore, inclusivity gaps persist, as 28% of employees with neurodiverse or mental health diagnoses report a lack of workplace accommodations. Geographic and departmental trends indicate high job-seeking intent for the coming year, particularly in Eastern Europe and among programming specialists. While finishing current projects was a primary reason for declining offers in 2022, the focus has shifted toward securing higher pay and comprehensive benefits such as private healthcare and pensions. These findings suggest that to attract and retain talent in a competitive market, industry leaders must prioritize financial transparency, mental health support, and flexible operational models that align with modern worker expectations.
Blockchain
0 documentsReports in the Blockchain category.
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Investments
54 documentsReports in the Investments category.
DDM · 2023
FinancialGames Investment Review: Q2 2023
In the second quarter of 2023, the games industry attracted $425.7 million in capital across 92 completed transactions, marking a modest rise from the previous quarter. The influx of funding underscores a continued appetite for growth within the sector, despite broader market volatility, and suggests that investors remain confident in the commercial prospects of interactive entertainment. The analysis focuses exclusively on deals that have reached closing, deliberately omitting announced but unfinalized transactions. This approach, applied consistently for fourteen years, aims to capture actual money deployed rather than projected activity. For special‑purpose acquisition companies, the reported figures represent the amount of capital raised in the transaction, not the post‑deal enterprise valuation, which distinguishes the data set from many alternative sources that may inflate quarterly totals by including speculative valuations. By adhering to this stringent methodology, the review provides a more dependable benchmark for stakeholders monitoring genuine investment and acquisition trends in the games sector. The resulting figures, while sometimes divergent from other reports, offer a clearer picture of real financial commitment and enable more accurate forecasting of industry dynamics. Overall, the quarter’s investment performance signals steady, if measured, confidence in the sector’s capacity to generate returns and sustain expansion.
Aream & Co. · 2025
FinancialVideo Game Market Update: Q1 2025
The quarterly briefing delivers a concise assessment of the global gaming ecosystem during the first quarter of 2025, emphasizing activity trends, revenue dynamics, and merger‑and‑acquisition (M&A) patterns across the principal platform segments. It argues that, despite lingering macro‑economic pressures, the industry remains resilient, with growth driven by new content releases and strategic consolidation. During the period, personal‑computer engagement surged, highlighted by Steam’s record‑high concurrent user count, while mobile spending rebounded by roughly three percent year‑on‑year, a recovery largely attributed to publishers operating in Asian markets. The console segment held steady, buoyed by anticipation of the Switch II launch and the forthcoming release of GTA VI, suggesting that flagship titles continue to anchor consumer demand across hardware categories. M&A activity reached a two‑year peak, generating approximately $6.6 billion across 42 transactions, with mobile‑focused deals accounting for about $4 billion of that total. Strategic consolidators and private‑equity firms intensified portfolio reshaping, even as later‑stage private financing grew more constrained. Although the number of deals contracted by roughly sixty percent over the preceding six months, the aggregate upfront value remained robust, indicating a shift toward fewer but larger transactions. Overall, the analysis concludes that the gaming market’s core segments are sustaining momentum amid tighter financing conditions, and that forthcoming hardware and software launches are likely to reinforce this stability. Stakeholders are advised to monitor the evolving deal landscape, where strategic scale
Advertising & Monetization
5 documentsReports in the Advertising & Monetization category.
AAA Agency · 2025
ReportState of Gaming & Influencer Marketing 2025
The global gaming industry has entered a period of stabilization, with 2024 revenues reaching $187.7 billion and a projected player base of 4 billion by 2027. While mobile gaming remains the dominant sector, accounting for nearly half of all revenue at $92.6 billion, the market is undergoing a structural shift. PC gaming has emerged as a primary growth driver, evidenced by Steam’s record $10.8 billion revenue in 2024 and a historic surge in indie game sales, which surpassed AA and AAA titles for the first time. This evolution is supported by a transition toward hybrid monetization, cross-platform experiences, and a hardware market projected to reach $120 billion by 2028. Influencer marketing has become an indispensable pillar of this ecosystem, with spending expected to hit $32.55 billion by 2025. The landscape is moving away from raw traffic metrics toward "influence quality," where authentic storytelling and niche engagement take precedence over total follower counts. Nano-influencers, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Twitch, are achieving engagement rates exceeding 10%, significantly outperforming larger creators. While Instagram remains the preferred platform for 90% of brand partnerships, the rise of AI-driven optimization and virtual influencers is reshaping how content is produced and consumed across YouTube and emerging platforms like Kick. Successful game launches now rely on sophisticated, multi-platform influencer funnels that utilize early access marathons and Twitch Drops to convert awareness into long-term community advocacy. As social commerce expands globally, particularly following its success in Asian markets, the industry is prioritizing long-term strategic planning over short-term user acquisition. The integration of AI tools, augmented reality, and direct-shopping features indicates a future where gaming and creator content are inextricably linked, requiring brands to adopt agile, data-driven strategies to maintain loyalty in an increasingly fragmented global market.
Epic Games · 2025
ReportGlobal State of Game Publishing & Marketing 2025 Industry Report
The global game publishing market is entering a period of significant expansion, projected to grow from $117.4 billion in 2025 to $150.7 billion by 2030. This growth is underpinned by a fundamental shift toward cross-platform development and the democratization of publishing tools, which has enabled independent titles to achieve massive commercial success alongside traditional publishers. A 40% increase in multi-platform launches reflects a strategic move to maximize player engagement, while the rise of "publishing as a service" models allows smaller studios to access professional marketing and analytical scale without traditional gatekeeping. The industry has almost entirely transitioned to a digital-first model, with digital sales accounting for 95% of total revenue. Marketing strategies now prioritize influencer partnerships and transmedia collaborations over traditional retail channels, as 40% of enthusiasts now make purchasing decisions based on creator recommendations. This digital dominance is further reinforced by the rise of Live Service Gaming, which is expected to reach $18.7 billion by 2030. Publishers are increasingly leveraging real-time AI data analytics and community-building initiatives to sustain long-term monetization and player retention in this competitive landscape. Revenue streams are diversifying rapidly as the market moves away from one-time purchases toward recurring models. While the premium purchase market shows only marginal growth, subscription models are forecasted to surge at a 12.2% CAGR, reaching $21.6 billion by 2030. Additionally, the esports sector remains a high-growth area, driven by sponsorships and media rights. Ultimately, sustainable growth in the modern era requires a player-centric approach that balances technological innovation with community engagement, ensuring that cross-platform strategies and AI-driven monetization can effectively offset rising development costs.
Web3 & Metaverse
3 documentsReports in the Web3 & Metaverse category.
Blockchain & Metaverse
1 documentReports in the Blockchain & Metaverse category.
VR & AR
0 documentsReports in the VR & AR category.
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