The Future of Gaming is Global & Multiplatform
Gaming has grown to become the largest entertainment category in the world, with an average user spending about an hour and a half playing video games daily. Last week at GDC, I had the opportunity to attend a few panels that outlined some strategies top game companies are taking to prepare for the future of gaming.
First up, Robbie Ferguson, Co-Founder & President at Immutable, presented their Web3 platform that makes it easier to build games. They are building Immutable Passport to reduce the cost of acquisition per player, and are partnering with Polygon. They aim to become a protocol for all developers, with seamless onboarding, plugin marketplace, and wallet integration.
Next, as part of the Google Developer Summit, Google Play Games discussed how the mobile gaming market may begin to decline, and new user acquisition strategies, such as porting to PC need to be considered to understand the best strategies for growth. Simon Sim (Kabam) and Mia Yao (IM30) discussed some factors that need to be understood before making the jump to multiplatform, including monetization, gameplay design, development infrastructure, and cultural implications.
The third panel was a fireside chat hosted by Google Play Games, with speakers from Avalanche Studios, Fingersoft, and Supercell talking about building successful games in the Nordics. The speakers discussed the factors contributing to the boom in gaming in the region, such as the culture of innovation, the pool of high-tech talent, and the long dark winters that give ample time to create gaming magic. They also discussed the need for innovation as established companies continue to consolidate work, resulting in less diversity of voices and new ideas in the industry. Special shout out to Markku Voho from Fingersoft for his insight & candidness.
A few days later, I also attended an exclusive invite-only chat at the ModernistOne with Twitch Cofounder Kevin Lin. Kevin discussed his history with games, including the new play-to-earn platform he's building, Metatheory. He shared a story about how many companies are reliant on “whale” users, and they are willing to do almost anything to retain their best customers, and also discussed how AI is revolutionizing game development, making it easier for anyone to create games without specific skills, while also enabling game designers to adapt games on the fly based on user behavior.
All four events discussed the future of gaming and how it is evolving with new technology and platforms. Both Immutable and Google Play Games are working to make it easier for games to be distributed across platforms and to reach more players, and the Nordic studios and Metatheory are all working to provide gamers with innovative new experiences that bring joy and excitement to players.
Here are some key takeaways:
Mobile gaming has become oversaturated, and there is an increasing need to develop games on other platforms (Web3 & PC) to reach more players
Play-to-earn is a popular trend, and there is a growing discussion around the potential to create jobs based on in-game economics.
As costs rise, game development is becoming more consolidated, which creates a further need for low-cost solutions for smaller developers to survive
AI toolkits will make games easier to iterate, develop, and monitor, reducing the barrier to entry while allowing for a more nuanced understanding of player experien