SHIFTING PATHS TO SUCCESS
Explore five key trends shaping the future of gaming
It may not be far off when video games are barely distinguishable from real life. Or, perhaps, the only sign of hyper-realism could be how far they transport us into other realms so obviously beyond the usual. Designers, storytellers, and communities are all using video games to create and participate in vast and persistent worlds that are becoming bigger than the biggest cinematic experiences and as social as any town square, concert, or stadium.
In Deloitte’s 2024 Digital Media Trends survey of US consumers, 85% of Gen Z, 78% of millennials, 60% of Gen X, and 35% of boomers surveyed are regularly playing video games. Mobile games have enabled many more non-gamers to enter the market, particularly among older generations, but the video game industry seems to be shaped and celebrated by massive hyper-realistic game worlds and enduring multiplayer services. Although the most successful games can enjoy engagement and stickiness, it’s often harder for new games to stand out and endure—and more expensive to develop and market them.
In the year ahead, the largest game companies and publishers may feel pressured to take fewer and more calculated risks. This could lead to fewer new releases from major studios and more investment in already successful properties. At the same time, there may be more games than ever entering the market. While the largest players reckon with high costs of major releases, smaller game studios may be more empowered to develop and market compelling and innovative games while cultivating communities and fandoms around them. Whether gaming, TV, or film—or merchandise and beyond—media and entertainment executives should be thinking about the entire life cycle of their IP and franchises, how these relate to fandoms, and how they can be engaged and delighted for many years.