What Do Players Really Want From New Games, Anyhow?

The 2022 PC and Console Insights survey, commissioned by Google for Games, provides a comprehensive analysis of player preferences, discovery habits, and consumption patterns. Based on a global sample of 14,356 PC and console players, the data highlights a shifting landscape where social features and video-driven discovery dominate. Key findings indicate that 39% of players prioritize diverse character options, while 31% seek social play and 29% engage with live-service titles featuring unique in-game events.

Discovery is increasingly centralized around video platforms and social circles. YouTube is the primary discovery tool for 40% of surveyed players, followed closely by recommendations from friends and family at 38%. In contrast, platform-specific dashboards like Steam and console interfaces influence roughly 16-17% of the audience. When deciding to try a new title, 51% of respondents are motivated by their preferred genre, while 45% are swayed by gameplay videos. Furthermore, the survey offers a snapshot of player multitasking, revealing that 84% of gamers play more than one title at a time, with 20% managing four or more games simultaneously.

Beyond player sentiment, the industry is seeing significant technical shifts in storefront discovery, particularly through Steam’s updated store hubs. These updates utilize personalized algorithms based on play history, friend activity, and wishlists to surface relevant content. This move toward automated, transparent recommendation engines reflects a broader trend in the 2020s to move away from manual editorial curation in favor of data-driven "personalized shopping" experiences. Additional industry updates noted include Microsoft’s UI testing for Xbox and the continued dominance of the Quest 2 in the Steam VR hardware market, currently holding a 49.25% share.