ReportNewzoo
The Past, Present and Future of Games
1 Jan 202033 pages~11 min full read
The gaming industry is experiencing significant growth, evidenced by a 29% increase in PC game revenue and a 19.6% rise in mobile downloads in 2020, with total consumer spend projected to grow by 21% in 2023.
See it on page 23Gaming is increasingly defined by social integration, with 45% of U.S. gamers aged 10–30 utilizing social features during gameplay.
See it on page 15Streaming viewership has surged, as evidenced by a fivefold increase in hours watched on Twitch and YouTube between 2018 and 2019, led by dominant titles like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Genshin Impact.
See it on page 29The industry is shifting toward a 'games as a service' model, supported by the convergence of cloud gaming, 5G technology, and mobile commerce to increase consumer lifetime value.
See it on page 21Major media and telecommunications corporations are actively consolidating their position in the gaming ecosystem, exemplified by Disney’s acquisition of BamTech and AT&T’s expansion into esports content.
See it on page 21The analysis outlines the evolution of gaming from its early stages to contemporary and projected future states, emphasizing demographic shifts, monetization models, and technological convergence. It identifies a multi‑segment consumer base—ranging from “Ultimate Gamers” to “Time Fillers”—and quantifies engagement levels, noting that 45 % of U.S. gamers aged 10‑30 integrate social features into gameplay, while mobile gaming accounts for a growing share of revenue. The report highlights the rise of “games as a service,” cloud gaming, and esports ecosystems, citing 2020 revenue growth of 29 % in PC games and a 19.6 % increase in mobile downloads, with projected 2023 gamer spend up 21 %. Key platforms such as Fortnite, League of Legends, and Genshin Impact dominate viewership, with streaming hours on Twitch and YouTube rising fivefold between 2018 and 2019. The document also maps global value chains, noting Disney’s acquisition of BamTech for sports streaming rights and AT&T’s expansion into esports content. Methodologically, the study draws on Newzoo Consumer Insights surveys, platform analytics, and industry revenue data from 2002‑2027, covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and emerging markets. The findings underscore a convergence of gaming with social networking, mobile commerce, and 5G‑enabled cloud services, positioning the industry for continued diversification and higher lifetime value per consumer.
