A new study from Juniper Research has found that revenues from the global digital games market are set to reach the $100 billion milestone by the end of this year.
Juniper’s annual report, Future Games Market: Emerging Opportunities & Pivotal Publisher Analysis 2017-2021, found that, contrary to previous concerns, the PC market has seen reinvigoration via F2P (Free to Play) games. Coupled with the continued growth of mobile, the industry will see total revenues reach $132 billion by 2021.
Juniper’s Leading ‘Pivotal’ Mobile Publishers
Juniper’s ‘top 5’ mobile games publishers:
Rank Publisher Key Game 1 Supercell Clash Royale 2 King Candy Crush 3 MZ (Machine Zone) Mobile Strike 4 Niantic Pokémon Go 5 MiniClip 8 Ball Pool
Source: Juniper Research
Juniper found Supercell to be the clear market leader, effectively monetising consumers through engaging games, highly rated by consumers. The research advised that publishers such as Niantic must create longevity and engagement, lest they see drop-off in terms of active users.
The outlook for the mobile industry is positive. Publishers are now seeking to integrate in-game advertising. The research found that this will be most effective when users opt-in; watching a short video to provide players with additional in-game credits can be marketed alongside paid options for an “ad-free experience”.
Monetisation Strategies Invigorate Industry
The research noted rapid adoption of the F2P monetisation strategy on PC devices, where consumers are enticed into accessing a game which is free, before developers harness the freemium model; popularised by mobile games, in order to accelerate spend, with this accounting for almost 80% of the platform’s revenues by 2021.
“Juniper believes there is further opportunity for F2P on PC; particularly in Western markets; as well as console, with digital platforms such as Xbox Live playing host to F2P titles which are then monetised via in-game purchases and add-ons” explained research author Lauren Foye.
The whitepaper, PC’s Got Game ~ from Premium to Freemium is available to download from the Juniper website together with further details of the new research.
Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.
