The 7 Top Gaming Industry Trends Of 2021 - Scott Storkamp
I recently came across an article “The Top 7 Gaming Industry Trends of 2021” by Kendra Beckley on Invision Community’s website. Having managed an equity fund for almost 15 years now, with gaming one of the key industries focused on, I found this article extremely insightful.
The article focuses primarily on how the gaming industry is evolving in three key areas: adapting and accommodating the newest technological advancements, making games inclusive and accessible to all, and finally, employing a business model that is financially the most proficient while still being able to differentiate and find a USP in a highly competitive market.
As a seasoned veteran in the world of finance, and a forward thinking “technophile,” I strongly believe that it is vital for companies in the industry to keep in mind each of these trends in order to find success in the coming years. Some of the trends I found particularly interesting are as follow:
1. Gaming Subscriptions
The subscription-based model is taking over the market in all domains of life — entertainment, retail, food and beverage, and now even gaming. With the launch of a plethora of such services such as Amazon Luna, Xbox Game Pass, EA Play, and even Apple Arcade, gaining a significant market share will be the biggest challenge for each of the players in the industry. That helps me pivot to the second trend that I believe is key:
2. Early Access and Game Development
Gaining a significant market share involves two key principles — holding on to existing and customers, and acquiring new ones. Providing early access can prove to be essential in both areas. Not only is there hype generated in the bubble of the existing customer base, but feedback and modification can lead to an improved quality of game or console, meeting customer needs and attracting new customers in the process as well.
3. Cloud Gaming
The expansion of cloud gaming is the perfect technological intervention in the industry, benefitting both producers as well as customers. It opens up alternate revenue streams for companies, and allows customers to expand their reach of games available to play without having to worry about purchasing new consoles.
At the end of the day, the gaming industry is going to be changing and evolving with technology at a pace that is hard to keep up with. But following and embracing these trends allows companies to thrive in the present, and possibly make easier transitions in changes to come in the future.
You can read the original article here.
