ReportInvestGame
Q2'24 Gaming Deals Report: Gradual Recovery
1 Jun 202419 pages~8 min full read
Steam full-game sales grew 27% year-over-year in Q2 2024, driven primarily by strong performance from independent and mid-sized titles.
Asia led global early-stage investment with $320 million across 28 deals, while North America dominated late-stage venture capital with $239 million across seven deals.
BITKRAFT was the most active early-stage investor by volume with 18 rounds, while a16z Games led in total deal value with $124 million invested.
The mobile game 'Dungeon & Fighter: Origin' significantly outperformed competitors in Asia, generating $227 million in net revenue from 5.4 million installs.
The publishing sector is seeing strategic shifts toward co-publishing models for premium PC and console titles, exemplified by the launch of new labels like Knights Peak.
Action RPGs and simulation games remain the dominant high-revenue genres in the Asian mobile market, supported by successful launches like 'Wuthering Waves' and 'Gakuen Idolmaster'.
The second quarter of 2024 gaming industry analysis highlights a period of sustained activity in early-stage venture capital and a growing market for independent and mid-sized titles. The findings track global investment trends, mergers and acquisitions, and platform-specific performance across North America, Western Europe, Asia, and emerging markets. Data is compiled from public media, business partners, and market insights, focusing specifically on video game publishers and developers while excluding gambling and non-gaming blockchain entities.
Investment activity in Q2 2024 was characterized by a robust early-stage venture capital environment. BITKRAFT emerged as the most active fund by deal count, participating in 18 rounds, while a16z Games led in total deal value, participating in transactions worth $124 million. Geographically, Asia led in early-stage investment volume with $320 million across 28 deals, followed by North America with $162 million. Late-stage venture capital remained more concentrated, with North America securing $239 million across seven deals.
Market performance data indicates a healthy period for software sales. Steam full-game sales grew 27% year-over-year, a trend largely attributed to a strong catalog of AA and indie titles. In the mobile sector, Asia remains the primary driver of high-revenue releases; Dungeon & Fighter: Origin significantly outperformed other new titles, generating $227 million in net revenue from 5.4 million installs. Other notable mobile successes included Wuthering Waves and Gakuen Idolmaster, reflecting the continued dominance of Action RPGs and simulation genres in the region.
The analysis concludes that while the industry continues to navigate shifting capital flows, the appetite for early-stage innovation remains high. Strategic shifts are also evident in the publishing sector, noted by the launch of new labels like Knights Peak, which focus on co-publishing premium PC and console titles for global audiences.
