It’s been a challenging year for those in the video games industry. Indie developer Adam Riches shares his perspective on the current state of affairs. “Everything is on fire at the moment,” he says casually, highlighting the widespread lay-offs and studio closures that have continued into 2024. The rush of investment from the Covid pandemic gaming boom has slowed down, and people are spending less on new games, opting for long-running online titles instead.
Unraveling the Challenges of the Video Games Industry
Challenges Facing the Video Games Industry
The video games industry has faced numerous challenges this year. As Adam Riches points out, widespread lay-offs and studio closures have continued into 2024, following the slowdown of the Covid pandemic gaming boom. People are spending less on new games, choosing to stick with established titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty. This has affected both premium and smaller studio releases. Quality alone is not a guarantee of success, as even with the best marketing and rave reviews, a game's success is still uncertain.Another significant challenge is discoverability. With over 14,000 games published on Steam this year, competing for players' attention is tough. Steam, the main marketplace for PC gamers, sells a wide range of games from bedroom-made to big-budget blockbusters. Adam Riches has released his murder mystery adventure Loco Motive after three years of work. He jokes that the best time to release the game was 2013 when Steam was less crowded. However, there are still ways to stand out, such as the platform's recommendations based on users' playing habits and regular promotions.Battling for Player's Attention and Time
New games are not only competing for players' attention but also their time. According to analytics firm Newzoo, annual series and online titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite take up a large portion of gaming time, leaving only 8% for new releases. Drawing players away from these established titles is extremely difficult, as seen in the failure of Sony's online shooter Concord. Rhys Elliott from Midia Research suggests that successful games do something new and interesting, but other factors like a strong IP, marketing campaign, and community fostering also play a role.Finding Funding for Game Development
Another big issue for developers this year is finding funding. Investment in new projects has slowed down, leading some studios behind previous indie hits to step in and fill the gap. For example, Among Us publisher Innersloth launched Outersloth to help developers with their projects. Husban Siddiqui, selected by the programme for his upcoming game Rogue Eclipse, appreciates the support but is not taking success for granted. He understands the speed at which things change in the industry and the need to adapt quickly.Success in the Indie Game Market
Adam Riches believes that success in the indie game market doesn't have to involve blockbuster-level sales. His game Loco Motive had a big marketing push close to release to maintain momentum and debuted in Steam's top-seller charts. Snow Rui, co-founder of publisher Hooded Horse, attributes the success of Manor Lords to its unique spin on the strategy game genre. However, she also emphasizes the importance of being sustainable and setting realistic expectations.Even in the current challenging environment, Snow Rui believes there is still room for fresh and innovative ideas. Development tools are becoming more accessible, opening the door to smaller teams with ingenious ideas. As a fan of games, she looks forward to seeing more of these in the future.READ MORE