Abertay University

Finding the GaaP: Data, Dashboards, and Independent Games

This paper examines how platformisation and the shift from games as a product (GaaP) toward games as a service (GaaS) are reshaping independent game development, with a particular focus on a "middle" group of developers who navigate between these two models.

• The paper argues that platformisation is pushing independent developers from a games-as-a-product model toward games-as-a-service, and that a 'middle' group of developers must navigate between these two models.
• Smaller studios often lack dedicated analysts and data expertise, and many treat data analysis as a secondary responsibility, which creates real barriers to using analytics on platforms such as Steam.
• The authors built the InGAME Market Intelligence Tools (IMAT) from Steam API data on more than 54,000 games, covering pricing, genre, tags, release dates, reviews, and DLC.