The Future of Video Gaming and Consumer Expectations

You’ve simply sat down. VR Headset on. What now? This text goals to get you inside the top of your client. As a gaming model, it may be robust to maintain up with the consistently altering panorama of what the video gaming trade is doing. What do avid gamers need from manufacturers? How can non-gamers turn into avid avid gamers, now and sooner or later? What’s the way forward for video gaming? Mintel solutions these questions.

On this article, we focus on the market worth of the worldwide gaming trade, client participation with rising applied sciences in gaming similar to VR (Digital Actuality), AR (Augmented Actuality), and AI (Synthetic Intelligence), and anticipated gamer exercise over the subsequent few years.

Is the gaming trade rising? The way forward for the worldwide video gaming trade seems to be on a trajectory of development. Whereas there have been hopes to cross the $200 billion income threshold in 2023, Mintel estimates that 2024 is extra probably. This follows a interval of fast enlargement through the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic, which couldn’t be sustained because of provide chain points, chip shortages, and world financial uncertainties, resulting in a decline in income in 2022.

Whereas world monetary instability places the way forward for the video gaming trade in danger, developments in know-how might show to help development in the long run. This aggressive atmosphere appears set to encourage innovation. Shoppers are additionally typically optimistic concerning the progress supplied by know-how, additional indicating this development potential.

Rising gaming applied sciences AR (Augmented Actuality) and VR (Digital Actuality) are interesting to avid gamers, who are usually on the slicing fringe of technological developments.

With VR know-how evolving round video games, an assumption is likely to be that avid gamers are on the forefront of this know-how in participation. This seems appropriate. Shoppers present curiosity in VR for gaming above all different makes use of, however that’s not all. Lively VR avid gamers present extra curiosity in different rising gaming applied sciences similar to AR (54%) and AI-integrated gaming (47%) when in comparison with different segments (cellular avid gamers, console avid gamers). VR, then, will not be solely a method to take a look at new types of video games, however the viability of latest consumer-facing know-how.

With such potential round VR, it’s vital to contemplate the obstacles to adoption. Notably, customers state the excessive worth of gadgets and never utilizing the product sufficient earlier than buy as key obstacles to VR adoption. This makes firsthand experiences with VR gadgets essential to changing curiosity into purchases. Regardless of gaming arcades declining as residence consoles have developed, these obstacles to adoption might show to be an actual alternative for arcades to return, offering customers with that crucial want for the firsthand expertise.

AR, alternatively, gives a mix of immersive digital and real-life experiences, resonating with customers who get pleasure from actions that provide a break from know-how. AR gaming can present actual social worth in spending time with household and mates—a number one cause to partake in leisure actions—as customers can take part in real-world interactions whereas gaming. There is a chance right here to capitalise on the buyer want for social interplay.

Our UK Cellular Gaming Market Report discovered that over 1 / 4 of cellular avid gamers actively search video games that use AR know-how, and this curiosity peaks amongst male customers aged 16-34. Going a step additional, Mintel statistics present that over half of these enjoying motion video games are looking for out cellular video games that use AR. Manufacturers might use AR to faucet into customers’ want for journey by constructing video games that may incorporate journey utilizing real-world environments.

Recreation builders are exploring methods to combine AI into their workflows, recognising the necessity for human oversight to make sure high quality and handle AI’s limitations. Within the UK, avid gamers respect AI improvements that improve gameplay, similar to personalised worlds and character responses, which might enhance participant engagement and income potential for manufacturers.

AI in video gaming is present process vital developments which are reworking how video games are developed and skilled. Non-player characters (NPCs) have gotten extra lifelike with the assistance of AI, making them able to remembering previous interactions with the participant, displaying a spread of feelings, and even having ambitions. With nearly a 3rd of avid gamers wanting “good enemies that evolve all through the sport”, manufacturers have the potential to enchantment to actual client demand right here.

With developments in AI making method for brand new methods to play video video games, manufacturers should be aware of how these adjustments are perceived by customers. Past the potential for glitches that disrupt gameplay, customers are conscious of the authorized and ethical implications of implementing AI in video video games, similar to who owns AI-generated content material like environments created with AI. Over half of customers are “considerably” or “very involved” over the prominence of AI, indicating a necessity for tact when contemplating the usage of such know-how.

Total, AI is poised to revolutionise the gaming trade by enhancing the participant expertise by means of extra immersive and personalised gameplay, whereas additionally presenting new challenges and alternatives for sport builders and companies.

Mintel knowledge forecasts that avid gamers’ engagement with video video games is anticipated to extend over the subsequent few years. Particularly, 30% of avid gamers in the US anticipated enjoying extra video video games in 2023 than they did within the earlier yr, indicating a development in gaming time that surpasses even the heightened engagement through the pandemic lockdown interval. Recreation kind can also be having an influence on anticipated gaming exercise within the coming years.

A pattern of avid gamers turning to stress-free and free-to-play video games signifies a shift in the direction of more cost effective gaming experiences, probably because of tighter financial circumstances. Moreover, open world video games are in excessive demand, with three in 10 avid gamers expressing pleasure for upcoming titles on this style. Nevertheless, avid gamers have gotten extra selective with their purchases, and high-quality gaming experiences are nonetheless a precedence, even when some are pulling again on spending.

When it comes to future gaming exercise, it’s probably that avid gamers who’ve lately acquired new {hardware} will likely be searching for new video games to play on these. There’s a possibility for gaming corporations to satisfy this demand with high quality software program. Nevertheless, premium software program gross sales alone will not be enough for some companies to thrive. Gaming subscription providers may assist buffer the annual software program launch schedule, maintaining customers engaged all year long, and maintaining a extra predictable earnings for companies. As 84% of customers present satisfaction in the direction of their gaming subscription service, there may be potential for manufacturers to enchantment.

The evolving video gaming trade is simply that: evolving. To maintain tempo with demanding customers, manufacturers want to contemplate their preferences round technological developments when trying into the way forward for video gaming. As AR, VR, and AI pave the best way for brand new gaming experiences, these applied sciences additionally set new expectations from customers in the direction of manufacturers and trade gamers. With the video gaming trade solely set to develop, it’s now or by no means for manufacturers to acknowledge and reply to what customers need and why.

Browse our gaming market analysis and degree up your small business technique by figuring out the newest developments in client behaviour and market knowledge throughout the trade. Join Highlight, our free e-newsletter for unique insights, by hitting the button beneath.