2023 Game Industry Top Trends and Services
January 11, 2023
Games strive to be more realistic every year—and as new technologies and services emerge, that trend is only going to continue. With the industry growing at a rapid pace, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest game trends and services you need to incorporate into your game development strategy to stay ahead of the curve. Here are some of the top video game industry trends to look out for in the gaming industry in 2023.
The Metaverse and Online Ecosystems
With the popularity of online games, it's no surprise that the game industry is moving towards an online ecosystem. In 2023, we’ll see more games built with an online infrastructure. This growth will be driven by the continued expansion of the metaverse —a shared, virtual space where people can interact with each other and experience different worlds.
As the metaverse grows, so too will the demand for games that can be played within it. This means that we will see more games that are designed to be played online, with persistent worlds and cross-platform compatibility. As players look to connect with others in the virtual space, social interaction and collaboration will become increasingly important features in games.
That said, experts are still figuring out what the metaverse will look like and how it will work. It's still early on, so game developers will have plenty of opportunities to innovate and create new experiences for players. Game developers and other stakeholders will need to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in this area and its associated game trends to ensure they're not left behind.
Cloud Gaming
Another of the key game trends is the shift towards cloud gaming. This is where games are played and stored on remote servers instead of locally on devices. Even though cloud gaming is already valued at $244 million today, this segment of the industry is expected to reach a staggering almost $22 billion by 2030—and for good reason. Cloud-based gaming has a number of advantages, including the ability to scale games up or down quickly and easily and at lower costs. Game developers are no longer tied to hardware constraints, giving them more freedom to create innovative gameplay experiences.
We've already seen a number of big names in the industry move towards cloud gaming in recent years, with Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google all investing heavily in the space. And it's not just the big players—smaller companies are also getting involved. In 2023, we expect to see even more growth in this area, as developers look to take advantage of the benefits that cloud gaming can offer.
Cloud gaming will also have a major impact on the game industry business model. The traditional model of selling games as packaged goods will become less common, replaced by subscription-based models and in-game microtransactions. This shift will present new challenges and opportunities for game developers, who will need to adapt their business models to stay ahead of the curve.
Mobile Gaming
The rise of mobile gaming has been one of the biggest stories in the games industry. Mobile gaming has been experiencing a double digit growth for 10 years, and this growth is expected to continue gaining momentum in 2023 and beyond. In fact, the gaming industry is expected to bring in $470 billion globally in 2030, with mobile gaming expected to make up more than half of that.
With more people playing games on mobile devices, we’ll see a corresponding increase in the number of mobile games. This is one of the many video game trends that is already underway, with an increasing number of high-quality mobile games being released each year. In 2023, we can expect to see even more mobile games that push the boundaries of what’s possible on a small screen. We'll also see more revenue in in-app purchases and mobile advertising, as developers look to monetize their games.
An Increase of Women in Gaming
The games industry has long been male-dominated, but that’s been changing. Female players are growing across the globe. In fact, according to Google Play, approximately 65% of women between the ages of 10 and 65 are gamers, which amounts to almost half of all video game players globally.
As the industry becomes more inclusive, game developers are creating content tailored towards female players. This includes creating more female characters, paying attention to gendered language, including women in the development process, and making sure that marketing campaigns target women as well as men. The increase in diversity could be one of the most inspiring video gaming industry trends, particularly as companies continue to strive to create a more inclusive gaming industry.
The Rise of eSports
If you're not familiar with eSports, it's competitive video gaming where professional players go head-to-head in popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. It's a big business too—the global eSports market was valued at 1.38 billion U.S. dollars in 2022 and is forecast to grow to as much as 1.87 billion by 2025. With more people than ever before watching and playing competitive games, developers will have more opportunities to create titles that can be enjoyed on a professional level.
Adaptations for Worldwide Audiences
The gaming industry has always been a global phenomenon with players and developers located all over the world. In recent years, trends in the gaming industry have evolved in line with the globalization of the internet, with games being developed for a worldwide audience from the outset.
This trend is set to continue in 2023, as game developers increasingly look to release their games on a global scale. Many consider Asia as a first step when taking their game global, as it’s the fastest growing region for the games industry. It's currently responsible for over half (55% ) of all gaming revenue worldwide, which represents a considerable opportunity for developers.
This also presents challenges for developers, who need to create games that appeal to players from all corners of the globe. As a result, there has been a steady increase in the demand for game transcription and localization services, which are crucial to ensure that games can be enjoyed by players regardless of their location. The process involves adapting a game to suit the cultural norms, expectations, and preferences of players in different regions. Localizing a game is worth the investment for many developers, as it allows them to tap into new markets like the huge 1.47 billion gamers in Asia.
Keep Up with Global Game Trends with Transperfect Gaming
As trends in gaming industry continue to evolve on a global scale, so too does the demand for game localization services. TransPerfect Gaming is a professional and efficient provider of quality game localization with a team of experts who are passionate about video games. We understand the challenges involved in adapting them for different audiences, and we have the experience and expertise to ensure that your game is a success no matter where in the world it is played. Contact us today to find out more.