The gaming industry is always evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging every year. Staying ahead of the curve is essential for any gaming company, whether you’re a big AAA studio or a small indie developer.
“What’s driving the growth of cloud gaming? The rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Just like these services allow you to stream movies and TV shows, cloud gaming services will allow you to stream games. And with big companies like Google and Microsoft getting involved, it’s only going to become more popular.”
In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 of the most important gaming industry trends that you need to pay attention to in 2020:
1. The Rise of Cloud Gaming
2. The Growth of Mobile Gaming
3. The Rise of Esports
4. The Growth of Indie Games
5. The Increase in Game Streaming
6. The Rise of Augmented Reality Gaming
7. The Growth of Virtual Reality Gaming
8. The Increase in In-Game Purchases
9. The Rise of Free-To-Play Games
10. The Decline of Console Gaming
1. The Rise of Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming is one of the hottest trends in the gaming industry right now. Cloud gaming services like Google Stadia, Microsoft Cloud, and Amazon Luna allow gamers to play games on any device without the need for a powerful gaming PC or console.
These services are still in their infancy, but they’re already starting to take off. Google Stadia has over 3 million subscribers, while Microsoft xCloud already has over 10 million users. And with big companies like ESPN getting involved and Fortnite marketplaces popping up, it will only continue to grow.
2. The Growth of Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming is another big trend that’s been growing rapidly in recent years. Over 2.4 billion people now play games on their smartphones, and that number is only going to continue to grow.
What’s driving this growth? The rise of casual games like Candy Crush and the popularity of battle royale games like Fortnite and PUBG Mobile. These games are easy to pick up and play, and they’re perfect for short gaming sessions on your phone.
3. The Rise of Esports
Esports is another trend that’s been gaining a lot of traction in recent years. Esports is competitive video gaming, where players compete in tournaments for cash prizes. And it’s big business – the global esports market is expected to be worth $1.8 billion by 2022.
What’s driving the growth of esports? The rise of live streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming have made it easy for gamers to watch their favorite players compete. And with big companies like ESPN getting involved, it’s only going to continue to grow.
4. The Growth of Indie Games
The indie game scene has been booming in recent years, thanks to the popularity of digital distribution platforms like Steam and itch.io. These platforms have made it easier than ever for small developers to release their games to a wide audience.
What’s driving this growth? The rise of independent game developers, who are making unique and innovative games that are different from the big AAA titles. And with the success of games like Stardew Valley and Cuphead, it’s clear that there’s a big market for indie games.
5. The Increase in Game Streaming
Game streaming is another big trend that’s been growing rapidly in recent years. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming allow gamers to live stream their gameplay to a wide audience. And with the rise of cloud gaming, it’s only going to become more popular.
When people are considering starting a gaming store these days, game streaming is often one of the first things that come to mind. And it’s easy to see why – there are already a ton of successful game streamers out there, and it’s a great way to build up a community around your games.
6. The Rise of Augmented Reality Gaming
Augmented reality (AR) is one of the hottest trends in gaming right now. AR games like Pokemon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite use your phone’s camera to overlay game content in the real world. And with the release of the new Microsoft HoloLens 2, AR is only going to become more popular.
7. The Growth of Virtual Reality Gaming
Virtual reality (VR) is another big trend in the gaming industry. VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive allow gamers to immerse themselves in a virtual world. And with the release of new VR headsets like the Oculus Quest and Valve Index, VR is only going to become more popular.
8. The Growth of Blockchain Gaming
Blockchain is a hot topic in the gaming industry right now, thanks to the success of games like CryptoKitties and Decentraland. Blockchain games use decentralized ledger technology to create unique game worlds that can’t be tampered with or controlled by a single entity. For example, Wizardia, a play-to-earn crypto game, is where heroic wizards fight for survival and explore the metaverse. Wizards are represented by NFTs and players can trade them in the Wizardia NFT marketplace.
What’s driving the growth of blockchain gaming? The popularity of cryptocurrencies and CryptoBetting has made it easy for people to buy and sell virtual assets. And with the launch of new platforms like Ethereum 2.0, it’s only going to become more popular.
9. The Rise of Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming is another big trend that’s been growing rapidly in recent years. Over 2.4 billion people now play games on their smartphones, and that number is only going to continue to grow.
What’s driving this growth? The rise of casual games like Candy Crush and the popularity of battle royale games like Fortnite and PUBG Mobile. These games are easy to pick up and play, and they’re perfect for short gaming sessions on your phone.
10. The Growth of Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming is a new trend that’s starting to take off. With cloud gaming, you can stream games from the cloud to your computer or console without having to download them. This allows you to play the latest games without needing a powerful gaming PC.
What’s driving the growth of cloud gaming? The rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Just like these services allow you to stream movies and TV shows, cloud gaming services will allow you to stream games. And with big companies like Google and Microsoft getting involved, it’s only going to become more popular.
These are just a few of the biggest trends in the gaming industry right now. So if you’re thinking about starting a gaming business, make sure you’re keeping up with the latest trends. It could be the difference between success and failure.
