Console

The updated strategy for People Can Fly (PCF Group) marks a transition toward a self-publishing model while maintaining its core expertise in developing high-end shooter games. Having successfully completed its post-IPO objectives, including the expansion of production capacity and the establishment of multiple creative studios across Europe and North America, the company now aims to scale its operations to support the simultaneous development of several ambitious projects. The primary thesis centers on leveraging internal intellectual property and proprietary technology, specifically the PCF Framework and Unreal Engine 5, to deliver high-quality gaming experiences while capturing a larger share of revenue through self-publishing.

Key operational findings highlight a shift from a single-project focus to a multi-project production model supported by over 600 employees. The company has implemented agile methodologies and Centers of Excellence to improve efficiency and risk management. Financial targets are aggressive, with a goal of reaching 3.0 billion PLN in total revenue between 2023 and 2027. To achieve this, PCF plans to release six games over the next four years, focusing on the Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) model to ensure long-term player engagement and recurring revenue. Projects currently in development include Gemini, Dagger, Bifrost, Victoria, and Thunder, with a mix of work-for-hire and self-published titles.

The scope of this strategy covers global operations across seven studios, including locations in Warsaw, Rzeszów, Kraków, Katowice, Newcastle, Montreal, and New York. To fund this expansion, the company intends to raise between 205 million and 295 million PLN through a new share issuance. This capital will be directed toward scaling development teams and supporting the production of its self-published portfolio, with no dividend payments expected before 2025.

The BANDAI NAMCO Group develops entertainment-related products and services in a wide range of fields, including toys, arcade game machines, home video game software, visual software, network content, and amusement facilities. In April 2012, we started a Mid-term Plan that includes the vision of “Empower, Gain Momentum, Accelerate Evolution.” Aiming to be No. 1 with strong conviction, we are committed to being the “Leading Innovator in Global Entertainment” and recording strong growth.

FUN AND OUR MISSION “Dreams, Fun and Inspiration” are the Engine of Happiness. Through our entertainment products and services, BANDAI NAMCO will continue to provide “Dreams, Fun and Inspiration” to people around the world, based on our boundless creativity and enthusiasm. As an entertainment leader across the ages, exploring new areas and heights in entertainment.

“Dreams, Fun and Inspiration” are the Engine of Happiness. Through our entertainment products and services, BANDAI NAMCO will continue to provide to people around the world, based on our boundless creativity and enthusiasm. The BANDAI NAMCO Group develops entertainment-related products and services in a wide range of fields, including toys, network content, home video games, arcade games, amusement facilities, and visual and music content.

I N T E G R AT E D R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 develops entertainment-related toys, network content, home video games, amusement machines, amusement facilities, and visual and music content. Under the Mid-term Plan, which was launched in April 2018, the Group aims to achieve “CHANGE” to progress to the next stage, with a Mid-term Vision of CHANGE for the NEXT: Empower, Gain Momentum, and Accelerate Evolution. “Dreams, Fun and Inspiration”are the Engine of Happiness.

01 Consolidated Business Performance / 03 Sales by IPs / Toys and Hobby Unit 05 Network Entertainment Unit 06 Real Entertainment Unit / Visual and Music Production Unit / IP Creation Unit 08 Plastic Model Market / Figure Market / Capsule Toy Market / Card Product Market 09 Candy Toy Market / Children’s Lifestyle (Sundries) Market / Babies’ / Children’s Clothing Market Top Publishers in the Global App Market BANDAI NAMCO Group 10 Home Video Game Market 10 Amusement Machine Market /...

1 BANDAI NAMCO Group Outline 01 Consolidated Business Performance / 03 Sales by IPs / Facts & Figures Entertainment Unit (Digital Business) / Entertainment Unit (Toys and Hobby Business) 06 IP Production Unit (Visual and Music Business / Creation Business) / IP Production Unit (Visual and Music Business) / IP Production Unit (Creation Business) / Amusement Unit Entertainment Unit (Digital Business) 07 Game App Market / Top Publishers in the Global App Market / Home Video Game Market ...

www.bandainamco.co.jp TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Bandai Namco Group Outline 01 Consolidated Business Performance / Entertainment Unit (Digital Business) 04 Entertainment Unit (Toys and Hobby Business) 06 IP Production Unit (Visual and Music Business / Entertainment Unit (Digital Business) Entertainment Unit (Toys and Hobby Business) 09 Plastic Model Market / Figure Market / Capsule Toy Market / Card Product Market Children’s Lifestyle (Sundries) M...

www.bandainamco.co.jp TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 Consolidated Business Performance / 03 Sales by IPs / Entertainment Unit (Digital Business) 04 Entertainment Unit (Toys and Hobby Business) 06 IP Production Unit / Amusement Unit Entertainment Unit (Digital Business) 07 Game App Market / Home Video Game Market Entertainment Unit (Toys and Hobby Business) 09 Plastic Model Market / Figure Market / Capsule Toy Market / 10 Candy Toy Market / Children’s Lifestyle (Sundries) Mar...

The global PC and console gaming market is projected to reach $92.7 billion by 2027, driven by a significant recovery in the console sector. While PC growth remains modest at a 2.6% CAGR, the console segment is expected to expand by 7.0%, fueled by the anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and blockbuster releases such as Grand Theft Auto VI. Despite a revenue dip in 2024 due to a lighter premium release schedule, total playtime grew by 6%, signaling robust engagement even as market dynamics shift toward a "near zero-sum" competition for player attention.

Player behavior is increasingly characterized by "calcification," where engagement is concentrated into a shrinking pool of established "forever games." Titles aged six years or older now command over 60% of playtime on PC and nearly half on consoles. This consolidation is most visible on PC, where just five legacy titles account for 30% of annual hours. While PlayStation has emerged as a growth leader with a 21% increase in playtime since 2021, the broader trend across all platforms shows players becoming more "unreachable," with a rising share of the audience engaging with only one to three games per year.

To combat stagnation, publishers are increasingly leveraging "recursive nostalgia" by reintroducing classic maps and mechanics. While this strategy yielded massive engagement spikes for Fortnite, its effectiveness varies, often serving as a short-term boost rather than a long-term retention tool unless structured as a permanent gameplay mode. Furthermore, the discoverability crisis has intensified as annual releases on Steam approached 19,000 in 2024. With the impact of traditional seasonal sales declining fourfold since 2019, success now requires a shift toward targeted global events, external traffic generation, and product differentiation to break through a market dominated by AAA franchises and entrenched free-to-play titles.

The survey, conducted by Aream & Co., gauges executive optimism regarding consumer spending on gaming in 2025 across multiple channels and functional areas. Overall, 49 % of respondents view spending as “more optimistic,” another 49 % see it as unchanged, and only 2 % are less optimistic. When broken down by platform, mobile spending is perceived as more optimistic (49 %) while PC and console views are split between “more” (15–33 %) and “about the same.” In‑app purchases are viewed as more optimistic (80 %) versus in‑app advertising (41 %).

Key challenges identified include content saturation and over‑supply, with 33 % citing these as concerns; marketing environment issues affect 49 %, and macro conditions are a worry for 17 %. Despite these, 54 % anticipate more new games in 2025, and 37 % expect higher average budgets. Marketing spend is expected to rise for 48 %, while engineering and game development are seen as more optimistic (71 % and 42 %).

The survey also highlights a strong appetite for mergers and acquisitions, with 71 % expecting more M&A activity. Advanced integration across multiple functions is viewed as more optimistic (49 %) but limited implementation remains a concern.

The data derive from a global sample of gaming CEOs, reflecting perspectives across mobile, PC, console, and various functional departments. The findings suggest a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2025, tempered by supply‑side pressures and marketing challenges.

The global video game industry is currently undergoing a structural correction following a decade of rapid expansion that concluded in 2021. The primary thesis of this transition is that the industry’s previous growth engines—mobile expansion, live-service models, and pandemic-era engagement—have plateaued, leading to a 12% decline in real-term content spending. This downturn is characterized by widespread commercial underperformance, record-high layoffs, and a significant contraction in venture capital funding. As production budgets for AAA titles balloon toward $500 million, the market has become increasingly polarized, with player engagement and revenue heavily concentrated within a small cohort of long-standing, established franchises that effectively crowd out new releases.

Geographically and sectorally, the landscape is shifting as Chinese developers gain significant global market share, rising from 0.5% to 12.5% of non-domestic content spending over the last 13 years. While the mobile sector faces a 23% revenue drop due to privacy-related user acquisition costs and competition from social media, the industry is pivoting toward cross-platform accessibility and hardware-agnostic distribution. Platforms like Roblox and Steam continue to dominate engagement, though developers face increasing pressure from high platform commission fees and the necessity of navigating a saturated market where discovery is increasingly difficult.

Looking forward, the industry is attempting to mitigate these challenges through technological and business model innovation. Strategies include the integration of generative AI to enhance NPC behavior, the adoption of cloud-native simulations, and a strategic pivot toward programmatic advertising to supplement stagnant game pricing. Furthermore, regulatory pressures on app stores are expected to improve developer margins, while a resurgence in handheld hardware and cross-platform connectivity aims to unify fragmented ecosystems. Ultimately, the industry is moving toward a risk-averse, multiplatform approach, prioritizing long-term engagement and operational efficiency to survive an increasingly competitive and capital-intensive environment.