Related Documents
Report
Global Cloud Gaming Report: The Infrastructure Edition 2021
This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the cloud gaming sector in 2021, focusing on how network infrastructure and global economic conditions have accelerated industry adoption. The primary thesis asserts that while the COVID-19 pandemic provided an initial surge in engagement, the market is now transitioning toward sustainable growth driven by technological maturity, strategic business partnerships, and a global semiconductor shortage that has made cloud streaming a viable alternative to expensive, unavailable local hardware. The scope of the research is global, with specific emphasis on ten subregions and thirty-three individual markets, including deep dives into China, North America, and Western Europe. Data was gathered through a proprietary model incorporating internet connection speeds, urbanization rates, and service availability, supplemented by a July 2021 survey of 6,788 gamers across China, Germany, Japan, and the United States. The methodology utilizes three forecasting scenarios—base, optimistic, and pessimistic—to account for the inherent volatility of a nascent technology market. Key findings indicate that the global cloud gaming market reached $1.6 billion in revenues and 23.7 million paying users in 2021. Projections suggest significant expansion, with revenues expected to exceed $6.5 billion and paying users reaching 60.7 million by 2024. While North America and Europe currently account for 59% of consumer spending, emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East are poised for rapid growth due to the rollout of 5G infrastructure and high consumer interest in regions where gaming hardware is prohibitively expensive. The analysis concludes that the industry is moving toward a more frictionless user experience through edge computing and B2B partnerships between service providers and telecommunications companies. Despite the closure of some first-party studios, investment remains high among stakeholders like NVIDIA, Haima Cloud, and now.gg. Consumer sentiment remains positive, characterized by high satisfaction levels and low churn, though long-term success depends on overcoming hardware ownership preferences and continuing to improve global network stability.
NewzooSept 2021
Report
Global Games Market Report 2022
The global games market entered a corrective phase in 2022, with annual revenues projected to decline by 4.3% to $184.4 billion. This contraction follows a period of unsustainable pandemic-driven expansion and is further exacerbated by macroeconomic inflation, supply chain disruptions, and a sparse release schedule for major titles. Despite this short-term dip, the industry maintains a massive engagement base of 3.2 billion players and is expected to resume an upward trajectory, reaching an estimated $211.2 billion by 2025. While mature markets like North America and Asia-Pacific are experiencing revenue declines, emerging mobile-first regions such as Latin America and the Middle East & Africa continue to show positive growth. The industry is currently undergoing a structural shift toward platform-agnostic ecosystems and hybrid monetization strategies. As traditional mobile advertising faces challenges from privacy policy changes like Apple’s IDFA, console and PC developers are increasingly adopting programmatic in-game advertising to monetize the hundreds of millions of players who do not make direct purchases. This shift is supported by major platform holders like Sony and Microsoft, who are integrating non-intrusive, blended advertisements to create recurring revenue streams. Furthermore, the rise of user-generated content, cloud gaming, and blockchain-based models is redefining how players interact with and derive value from digital environments. Future market stability is increasingly tied to ecosystem-based analysis rather than hardware-specific metrics, reflecting a broader trend of cross-platform play and industry consolidation. Regulatory shifts in China have also prompted a strategic pivot toward global expansion in other emerging markets. As the industry evolves, success will likely depend on balancing diverse monetization models with authentic player experiences, while leveraging new technologies in virtual reality and cloud infrastructure to maintain long-term engagement across a diversifying global audience.
NewzooJan 2022
Report
Newzoo Trends to Watch 2022: Games, Esports, Live Streaming, Cloud and the Metaverse
The analysis projects that 2022 will be defined by a cautious expansion of emerging monetisation models and a deepening investment in immersive technologies. While non‑fungible tokens and crypto‑based revenue streams continue to provoke player backlash, platform bans and regulatory scrutiny, publishers are expected to experiment with “NFT‑like” features under less contentious branding. Concurrently, legal pressure on Apple and Google is likely to ease app‑store steering rules, creating alternative payment pathways that could reshape distribution economics. Metaverse and virtual‑reality narratives are driving substantial capital inflows, with major hardware releases from Meta, Sony and Apple building on the strong sales of the Quest 2 in 2021. High‑profile titles such as Horizon Forbidden West illustrate the market’s appetite for immersive experiences. A parallel “brand gold rush” in virtual real‑estate is accelerating, exemplified by multi‑million‑dollar acquisitions in Decentraland’s Fashion District and The Sandbox, where corporations are establishing branded malls and interactive spaces. Globally, the games industry generated $175.9 billion in 2021, anchored by the Asia‑Pacific region’s $88.2 billion contribution and an 8.7 percent compound annual growth rate. North America remains a significant market, while esports and cloud‑based services continue to expand the ecosystem’s reach and monetisation potential. The convergence of these trends suggests a year of strategic experimentation, heightened investment in immersive platforms, and evolving regulatory landscapes shaping the future of interactive entertainment.
NewzooJan 2022
Report
2020 Global Games Market Report
The 2020 Global Games Market Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the video game industry during a landmark year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to next-generation consoles. The central thesis posits that gaming has evolved beyond simple entertainment to become a primary social network and a precursor to the "metaverse," with interactive virtual spaces increasingly replacing traditional social media for younger generations. Key findings indicate that the global games market was projected to generate $159.3 billion in 2020, representing a 9.3% year-on-year increase. Mobile gaming remained the largest segment, accounting for $77.2 billion (48% of the market), driven by low barriers to entry and the rise of hypercasual titles. Console and PC segments followed with $45.2 billion and $36.9 billion respectively. Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region dominated the landscape, generating $78.4 billion—nearly half of all global revenues—while the Middle East and Africa emerged as the fastest-growing region. By the end of 2020, the global player base was expected to reach 2.7 billion, with forecasts suggesting the market would surpass $200 billion and 3 billion players by 2023. The scope of the analysis covers 30 key markets representing over 90% of global revenues, with data segmented by region (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East/Africa) and platform. Methodology relies on a top-down predictive model integrating macroeconomic data, financial reports from over 100 public companies, and primary consumer research involving 62,500 respondents. The report concludes that while lockdown measures provided a short-term surge in engagement and revenue, the industry faces long-term shifts toward platform-agnostic cloud gaming and subscription models. Additionally, it highlights the successful globalization of Chinese gaming firms, which pivoted to international markets following domestic regulatory freezes, now leading the industry in mobile development and cross-border investment.
NewzooJan 2020