IDG Publications

 

REPORT DESCRIPTION

January 2025

  • The IDG team's annual prediction of trends that are expected to shape the gaming industry in 2025

  • A deep dive into Marvel Rivals and how it found success in the highly competitive hero shooter genre.

  • A spotlight on Infinity Nikki and the growing popularity of cozy games within mobile gaming

  • IDG's thoughts and takeaways from the Switch 2 reveal

  • An analysis of game pricing trends in Japan, offering potential insights and solutions to address stagnating game prices.

  • A comparison of time spent on gaming vs other entertainment verticals

  • An update on the TikTok ban and its potential impact on the games market

 

December 2024

  • An assessment of how many of IDG's 2024 Predictions came to pass

  • A spotlight on IDG's top 3 games of 2024, highlighting the key success factors that set these titles apart.

  • An overview of the growth of streaming platforms (Kick, CHZZK, and SOOP) in 2024

  • An analysis of the changing platform dynamics in Japan's gaming market

  • A closer look at games-related deals activity in the first three quarters of 2024 and if they may be signaling a recovery

  • An updated layoff tracker

 

November 2024

  • An update on the handheld gaming market, including IDG's estimate for life-to-date sales of the Steam Deck and PlayStation Portal

  • A deep dive on modding and how it impacts games

  • An analysis of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's launch

  • An update on the VR market

  • A deep dive on sports games franchises and how sales have been trending

  • A closer look at game preservation methods

  • A quick update on Black Friday deals from the three console brands

 

October 2024

  • An analysis of the relationship between Steam pre-sale revenue as a percent of total first-year sales and the game's quality, asset class, and overall performance

  • A deep dive on Twitch viewership trends for mobile, PC, and console game streams segmented by top languages

  • A brief but important update on the growth of web stores for mobile games in recent months

  • A close look at Ubisoft's underperformance in the past few years and what might be done to turn the company's fortunes around

  • An overview of what various governments around the globe are doing to bolster their video game industries

  • An analysis of gaming PC prices compared to the rising price tags on consoles and what it could mean for these two gaming segments

  • A recap of Tokyo Game Show 2024

  • An analysis of Nintendo's Holiday 2024 promotions and what they say about the company's outlook on the market

 

September 2024

  • A deep dive into gaming communities with a focus on factors contributing to toxicity and player's reaction to toxic behaviors

  • An analysis of this year's current biggest hit, Black Myth: Wukong, and how its cultural significance played a part in its success in China and abroad

  • An examination of this year's biggest flop, Concord, and why it struggled to find an audience in the saturated hero shooter market

  • Case studies on recent transmedia TV projects and their impact on game sales over time, analyzing critical reception and the influence of subscriber bases

  • IDG's takeaway on PS5 Pro

  • An overview of the most wishlisted game on Steam for Q4 2024 and 2025

 

August 2024

  • IDG’s on-the-ground intel and key takeaways from Gamescom and games that were announced during the show

  • A look into why console software revenues seem to have dropped off so steeply in H1 2024

  • IDG's thoughts on how widespread unionization may impact the games industry and what can be done to potentially alleviate some of the negative impacts of unionization

  • A deep dive into pricing trends of add-on content categories in PC and console live-service games

  • An analysis of Apple’s new DMA-compliant policies and what mobile developers must navigate in order to maximize revenue if opting to publish in third-party iOS app stores

  • An updated cloud gaming forecast, including IDG’s thoughts on Microsoft’s de-prioritization of hardware in favor of cloud gaming

  • An updated layoff tracker

 

July 2024

  • An examination of the recent price changes coming to Game Pass, how Call of Duty's Day 1 availability may impact subscribership, and what all this says about Xbox's forward-looking games strategy. 

  • A look at the latest developments in the third-party app store landscape, an analysis of China's game approval cadence in H1 2024, and how H1 2024's top mobile games may affect the outlook for the rest of 2024

  • A deep dive into whether the worst is over for the games industry in terms of layoff, including an updated Layoff Tracker

  • An overview of the mobile games streaming landscape, including what are the top titles, languages, and platforms

  • An analysis of the attach rates of recent expansion packs for AAA titles

  • A quick update on the gaming industry's attitude toward generative AI

 

June 2024

  • A deep dive into Steam user growth trends through a monthly and quarterly lens, including a spotlight on the growth of Strategy games users.

  • An examination of the top 20 premium titles on Steam in H1 2024 and the reception of Indie/AA titles

  • A dissection of Steam GPU user shares and the performance of Nvidia GPUs

  • An analysis of PC gamer profile findings from IDG's Gamer Gauge report

  • An assessment of the growing number of video game remakes and remasters

  • A high-level comparison of the games industry against other entertainment verticals

  • A recap of Summer Game Fest and gamers' impressions of the newly announced titles

  • An update on how the mobile games market continues to evolve towards more "core" genres

  • An updated Layoff Tracker

 

June 2024 - Spotlight on the Opportunity Markets

  • How new regulations in China’s mobile app store landscape have impacted game publishers

  • The changing games streaming landscape in South Korea upon Twitch’s exit

  • How Vietnam may be following in China’s footsteps when it comes to heavy-handed regulation of the games industry

  • Why, despite some regional challenges, Latin America represents one of the most balanced opportunities for growth across console, mobile and PC

  • How a proposed draft tax nearly derailed India’s growth potential in the games market

  • Why Turkey’s streaming market saw a sudden rise of newcomer platform Kick

 

May 2024

  • A review of PlayStation's hardware strategy

  • An update on Meta's VR strategy and performance to date

  • IDG's thoughts on the new US law that has the potential to ban TikTok

  • An update on streaming trends in Q1 2024

  • An analysis of EA Sports FC 2024's performance compared to previous FIFA titles

  • Commentary on the latest news in the mobile third-party app store landscape

  • An updated Layoff Tracker

 

April 2024

  • A comprehensive review of Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile featuring an examination of its design and technical specs, and how it compared against Tencent-developed Call of Duty: Mobile in its launch week.

  • An investigation of how the minimum mobile hardware requirements of top-performing games have changed in the last 5 years alongside an evaluation of AAA console games' performance on mobile platforms.

  • A deep dive into World of Warcraft's evolution over the past eight years, including an analysis of the reception and subscriber trends for each expansion released, and an exploration of potential future directions for the timeless MMORPG.

  • A spotlight on Capcom's success in recent years, examining how the publisher differentiates itself from its Japanese peers.

  • A commentary on Apple's market-dominant position in the mobile app market

  • An updated Layoff Tracker

 

March 2024

  • A granular analysis of console hardware sales performance in 2023 across major gaming markets, with a spotlight on the console gaming market in MENA and Turkey and its challenges due to increasing ARPs

  • An examination of console publishers' growth strategies on Steam, including saturation levels, regional trends, and genre analysis, with an insight into best practices for releasing games on Steam

  • An analysis of live service game production, with a focus on Helldiver 2's performance metrics

  • Coverage of recent SVOD subscription trends and their impact on video game subscriptions

  • A glimpse into the influence of nostalgia on game streaming viewership in 2023

 

February 2024

  • An in-depth look at 2024's hit sensation, Palworld

  • An analysis of the strategies Take-Two Interactive has used to keep GTA V in the top title charts nearly 11 years after its launch

  • An overview of the PC handheld market and what the market opportunity looks like in this space

  • IDG's thoughts on some key announcements from Xbox and PlayStation on their 2024 plans

  • A deeper look at the changes coming to iOS/Android in the EU ahead of the DMA compliance deadline in March

  • An updated Layoff Tracker

 

January 2024

  • The IDG Team’s collective prediction of trends expected to shape the games industry through the upcoming year

  • A detailed segmentation of the Xbox Game Pass library content, including Ultimate, Console, and PC Game Pass, and how it has evolved over the years

  • An analysis of software tie ratios (physical and digital) on current-gen consoles and how it differed from prior generations

  • A spotlight on the recent attempt to update regulations in China and its implications

  • An update on Netflix’s mobile strategy and catalog

  • An examination of how layoffs are tracking thus far in 2024 and its implications for the future of the games industry

  • A look into the increasing market concentration among the top 10 console publishers

 

December 2023

  • A review of the accuracy of IDG's predictions for 2023

  • An analysis of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III's launch and a critique of the game

  • A case study exploring the success of Monopoly GO!, including an analysis of its user acquisition strategy, core features, and monetization structure

  • An examination of  inflationary pressure in the mobile gaming market in 2022-23, including an analysis of post-pandemic recovery on in-app purchase and consumer spending trends

  • A spotlight into Alan Wake II and Remedy Connected Universe.

  • A highlight of 2023's standout games across console, PC, and mobile

 

November 2023

  • An overview of console deals leading into this year's holiday season

  • A deep-dive on genre patterns, including analysis of genre distribution and regional demographics, genre overlap and engagement trends across platforms, shared and distinctive features across genres, and concurrent playership patterns within genres

  • An updated forecast for the VR hardware market and accompanying rationales, with a discussion on the performance of the Meta Quest 2 and its competitive landscape 

  • A review of Counter-Strike 2's launch performance, and an exploration of the motivations behind its release and potential future prospects

  • An analysis of Starfield's launch performance in comparison to other recent new IP releases, and a discussion on Microsoft's future in relation to first-party titles

  • An examination of Microsoft's Game Pass promises in light of Starfield's Early Access release and the implications of its release strategy

 

October 2023

  • An exploration of UGC, and the platforms and pay models of the key players in the creator economy space

  • A spotlight on cloud gaming, including an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the major cloud gaming platforms, an overview of the overall cloud gaming market, and insights into its history and future

  • A study of how Street Fighter 6 successfully updated controller schemes to appeal to long-time fans and new audiences alike

  • An analysis of sales ratios for newer titles on the PS5 compared to the PS4, with a focus on attach rates for last-gen consoles

  • A deep dive into current monetization trends in terms of premium vs. free-to-play unit sales as well as add-on content

  • IDG's thoughts regarding the ongoing wave of layoffs within the gaming industry

 

September 2023

  • An in-depth analysis of game localization practices and trends across various platforms, along with a discussion on the use of AI technologies in the localization process

  • A detailed examination of the recent PlayStation Plus price increase, comparing its impact and competitiveness with Xbox Game Pass in key gaming markets

  • An exploration of how crowded release windows can impact the revenue for new releases during those quarters 

  • An analysis of market trends and factors viewed through the lens of ESRB ratings

  • A recap of this year's Gamescom, including key highlights, M&A activity, and the future of E3

  • A discussion on the upcoming AAA console games coming to iPhone and their potential target demographics, and a look into evolving mobile gaming spending patterns

  • A look into Starfield's initial performance

 

August 2023

  • A spotlight on Roblox's challenges in today's market despite its dominance in the youth gaming market

  • A closer look at Baldur's Gate 3's success factors and why it may be difficult for other studios to emulate in today's market

  • An update on the state of esports

  • A closer look at how mobile gaming performed in H1 2023

  • An analysis of toxicity in games, why it is such a persistent issue, and what is being done to combat it.

  • IDG's initial thoughts on the upcoming PlayStation Portal Remote Play handheld

 

July 2023

  • A comprehensive analysis of Xbox Game Pass, evaluating whether it is a net-positive for Microsoft, consumers, and the game industry as a whole

  • A closer look at Sony's foray into digital PC game distribution, assessing PlayStation game releases on Steam and the company's strategy on PC releases 

  • IDG's review of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and an analysis of the critics' vs. users' reviews

  • An overview of video game streamers who ventured into the game development or publishing space

 

June 2023

  • To coincide with Pride Month, IDG discusses how the inclusion of LGBQT+ characters in video games affects sales, along with best practices when it comes to representation in games.

  • An analysis of how an unprecedented level of market disruption may have impacted hardware pricing trends

  • An in-depth look at the state of generative AI usage in video game development and the many risks involved with it 

  • An examination of the population and income trends by region, with a focus on the 20-34 age group

  • A closer look at Embracer’s embattled business, with a focus on their mobile games division's recent performance

  • An analysis of how the mobile app store landscape may be poised to change as more third-party app stores enter the market and the learnings from One Store, a South Korean 3rd party app store

  • A spotlight on the top 6 mobile games publishers YTD and what studios operate under their vast umbrellas

  • An examination of the physical-vs-digital software sales ratios of the three current-gen consoles

 

May 2023 - Spotlight on the Opportunity Markets

  • How Google and Apple have been navigating South Korea's ban on anti-steering practices 

  • What makes Southeast Asia's mobile market so attractive to foreign companies

  • An update on the growing influence of esports in Latam's games market

  • How India's mobile games market is poised for great growth

  • Why MENA and Turkiye's markets struggled last year in spite of their significant long-term potential

 

May 2023

  • A discussion on the right and wrong ways of sunsetting games

  • An update on the MSFT-ATVI deal and IDG thoughts based on the latest news

  • A SWOT analysis on UGC

  • The status of AI regulation in different countries

 

April 2023

  • A summary of the top trends IDG observed at this year's GDC

  • A look into the growing concern surrounding game industry brain drain and the impact it may have on future games

  • An analysis of some of the key drivers behind the increasing dominance of top games in the console gaming market 

  • A discussion of how recent events pertaining to the metaverse may shape the future of the games industry 

  • IDG's thoughts on E3's cancellation, why it happened, and whether we still hold out hope for E3 to make a comeback

  • An updated analysis of Netflix's gaming strategy

  • A comparison of the global games industry's 5-year outlook compared to other entertainment verticals

 

March 2023

  • The potential impact generative AI may have on the games industry

  • An update on IDG's forecast for the VR market and thoughts about the rumored Apple VR product

  • A closer look at the key mobile gaming trends in 2022 

  • A discussion of the surge of transmedia deals being announced

  • IDG's thoughts on Switch 2.0

  • An analysis of whether top games are capturing an increasing amount of market share in the console gaming market

 

February 2023

  • A recap on the console market's performance during the holiday quarter

  • A closer look at the split between physical and digital game sales on console platforms in 2022, with detailed stats by platform and market

  • An updated forecast of the global cloud gaming market

  • An analysis of how PC gaming specification requirements have changed in recent  years

 

January 2023

  • IDG analysts' predictions for trends we expect to see in the games industry throughout 2023 featuring topics including emerging sectors, monetization, marketing, technology, consumer behavior, and more

  • An analysis of Steam's recent regional price change and its possible consequences

  • A closer look at the hardware hurdles faced by gamers with disabilities and what is being done to address them

  • An overview of the evolution of Special Edition games bundles

 

December 2022

  • A revisit of IDG's 2022 predictions at the beginning of the year, to see how they panned out

  • An analysis of free games given away on PC and Console services in 2022 & 2021 that examines the total retail value, critic score, release date, and ARPs of each service 

  • A post-launch analysis of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 that investigates the factors behind the financial success of the title and also its shortcomings

  • A closer look at the correlations between the number of mobile games released each year and the overall performance of the mobile market

  • A spotlight on top-performing mobile titles that were released in 2022

 

November 2022

  • A closer look at how the games market have fared against previous recessions

  • A comparison of IDG's 2022 forecast at the beginning of the year vs. the current quarter's forecast

  • An analysis of hardware trends on PC and smartphone

  • An overview of cost cutting measures carried out in the industry thus far

  • An in-depth explanation of why IDG's console hardware forecast seems so pessimistic

  • The impact of Apple's store policies on NFTs in the mobile Web3 gaming market

  • An analysis of Sony's announcements pertaining to the upcoming release of PlayStation VR2

  • A look at how Meta's Horizon Worlds is doing after a year since the company rebranded itself

  • IDG's thoughts on Phil Spencer's recent comments on Xbox's business strategy

 

October 2022

  • An updated look at the economics of PC/console game development with highlights on key changes and the impact they have on the business of game-making

  • A spotlight on the sudden influx of dedicated handheld gaming products

  • A deep dive into the boom of video game-based TV show/movie adaptions and an analysis of the factors contributing to their success

  • IDG's thoughts on Stadia's shutdown and how it may impact the future of the cloud gaming market

  • An overview of trends in the VOD subscription space and what they mean for the gaming subscription business

 

September 2022

  • A look into the success of Grand Theft Auto V, highlighting a few underappreciated ingredients to the game's accomplishments

  • A closer look at the progress of cloud gaming on smart TVs

  • A highlight of Twitch's recent updates on its revenue share and the impact it may have on the platform

  • A recap of Gamescom 2022

  • An update on the status of Web3 market

  • A revisit of the economics of mobile game development with a focus on top performing games

 

August 2022

  • A post-mortem on Diablo Immortal and how it's had to perform a fine balancing act between the expectation of its core fanbase and that of mobile gamers 

  • IDG's thoughts on how Activision Blizzard’s ongoing negative press may have an influence on the company’s recent earnings report 

  • A deep dive into the success of MultiVersus and how it may help push forward the Fighting genre’s progress in adapting F2P models

  • An analysis on No Man’s Sky’s evolution since launch

  • A rare inside look into Tencent’s greenlight process

  • Insights into the growing sense of “platform anxiety” gamers today struggle with

  • IDG's thoughts on the PS5 price increase

 

July 2022

  • A deep-dive analysis of the impact of delayed titles on the release calendar over the next year

  • An updated look at the economics of mobile game development

  • A spotlight on the performance of AAA mobile games, comparing games that are native mobile IP versus those that come from a PC/console heritage

  • An analysis of how PlayStation Plus's new tiered subscription pricing schema varies by region

  • A study of Steam's Wishlist function and how it can serve as a predictor of a game's success

  • A spotlight on how a push in cross-gaming trends at the game engine level can move the market forward

  • An overview of gaming on Mac computers and the hurdles this market still has to overcome 

 

June 2022

  • Overview of announcements coming out of Summer Game Fest 2022

  • Analysis of Game Pass's value proposition in the face of game delays

  • A deep-dive into Nintendo's demographic, breaking out the company's consumer base by age and looking at how changes in their target audience might be reflected in the company's future strategy

  • IDG's thoughts on Sony's vs. Microsoft's approach to subscriptions, regional prioritization and consumer sentiment

  • Update on how a "return to normal" is affecting the games market

  • A heat map comparing global game markets based on which is the dominant platform--mobile, console, or PC

 

May 2022

  • IDG's thoughts on the Embracer acquisition of Square Enix's IP

  • Predicting what comes next after the split between EA and FIFA

  • Analysis of major console publishers' efforts to expand into mobile gaming

  • Update on the aftereffects of the Great Resignation on the games market

  • Analyzing the impact of the Netherland's latest ruling on loot boxes

  • Insight into the evolution of in-game advertising

 

May 2022 - Spotlight on the Opportunity Markets

  • How Google and Apple have been navigating South Korea's ban on anti-steering practices 

  • What makes Southeast Asia's mobile market so attractive to foreign companies

  • An update on the growing influence of esports in Latam's games market

  • How India's mobile games market is poised for great growth

  • Why MENA and Turkiye's markets struggled last year in spite of their significant long-term potential

 

April 2022

  • An analysis of the future of the VR market, including IDG's updated 5-year forecast

  • Coverage of the Axie Infinity hack and the industry’s shifting thoughts on Web3 technology

  • Details on PlayStation’s new PS Plus offering and an analysis of the company’s future strategy surrounding live service games

  • Insight into the industry-wide ramifications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for developers and gamers alike, plus thoughts on the specific challenges some local companies in the region are facing

  • A retrospective on the Switch’s journey to becoming Nintendo’s best-selling console ever and how the Switch Lite helped the console sustain its popularity

  • A summary of how consumers have responded to the launch of the Steam Deck and how the platform’s open-source devkit could change paradigms in the gaming industry

 

March 2022

  • A deep dive on FromSoftware and Bandai Namco's Elden Ring, with insights on the game's open world design

  • A look at the current state of the fighting game genre, covering recent innovations and topics of interest for the future

  • A full refresh of IDG's cloud gaming forecast, along with key takeaways and an explanation of the methodology used

  • How sponsored content has grown in the past two years, as well as a breakdown of Twitch's Multiplayer Ads

  • Data on the market share of top genres for digital and physical software over the past decade, alongside IDG's thoughts on trends in the market

  • A holistic look at the state of accessibility in the gaming industry, with areas of improvements and details on how some of gaming's biggest companies have enhanced accessibility in their titles

 

February 2022

  • A look at the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard acquisition from a regulatory angle

  • A deep dive on the mobile user acquisition trends of 2021

  • An update on Meta's VR efforts in the past few months

  • An analysis of the performance of the current generation of console compared to previous generations 

  • A closer examination at the growing trend toward unionization among game developers

  • Tracking the performances of Embracer's acquisitions

  • An update on mobile esports

  • A closer look at the growing ecosystem of developers within UGC platforms

 

January 2022

  • IDG analysts' predictions for which trends we expect to see in the games industry in 2022

  • IDG's initial thoughts on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and a discussion into possible actions Sony might take as a response 

  • A further in-depth examination of the current state of NFTs and P2E games

  • A look into the sustainability of UGC game economics

  • Post-mortem of console sales performance during the Holiday 2021 season 

  • A deep dive into the success of PUBG Mobile in the Turkish market

  • An exploration of the evolution of Game Pass and its reliance on first-party vs third-party content growth

  • An examination of the rise of gaming companies going public through

 

December 2021 

  • Overview of the online discourse for recently launched Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition and Halo Infinite

  • An analysis on the influx of investments in NFT-centric gaming companies

  • A retrospective on the success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

  • Insight into the promotional campaign efforts for Riot's animated series Arcane

  • Coverage of Amazon's struggle to retain New World players and an analysis of its reputation among gamers

  • A look into the companies moving away from investments in China's games market due to the government's crackdown on gaming

 

November 2021 

  • A deep dive into the different types of metaverses that are prevalent in the games industry, the companies that are leading the charge and IDG's thoughts on the feasibility and potential of the metaverse

  • An analysis of the performance of digital-only consoles, with a spotlight on the Xbox series S in particular

  • An overview of the new Windows 11 OS and its potential impact on gaming

  • A deep dive into the value of IP and how it is being leveraged within the mobile games market

  • IDG's thoughts on the "Great Resignation" that has been occurring around the globe and its potential impact within the games industry

  • A look at Netflix's early game slate

 

October 2021 

  • Coverage of the conclusion of a number of pending anti-trust investigations and legal cases against Apple

  • Analysis of the launch of Amazon's New World and its implications for the future of Amazon's gaming endeavors

  • Insights into the growing interest in the metaverse

  • Analysis of the continuing slow tectonic shifts between PC, console and mobile gaming, which vary by market demographic and region

  • Updates on the China situation, which has escalated since IDG's last report

  • Overview of escalating supply chain issues and their potential impact on the games market

  • Update on the esports market and how it continues to be impacted by Covid

 

September 2021 

  • Analysis of how much of the console market's growth is cyclical and how much due to Covid

  • Overview of how Covid has impacted game development and work culture

  • Comparison of the hybrid gaming options in the market

  • Deep-dive into Splitgate's success and the implications of similar fusion games on the market

  • Analysis of the 3 major next-gen shooters releasing in Q4 2021

 

August 2021 

  • Coverage of escalating tensions between China's government and the Chinese gaming industry

  • A look at Netflix's entry into the mobile gaming market

  • Xbox and Facebook's latest offerings in cloud gaming

  • Analysis of Apple's strategy surrounding Apple Arcade

  • Case study on the success of Garena Free Fire and how the game has flourished in emerging markets

  • IDG's thoughts on the effects Apple's ad policy will have on first- and third-party advertising networks

 

July 2021   

  • In-depth coverage of the unveiling of the Steam Deck

  • Spotlight on Japan's growing PC market

  • Coverage of the ongoing GPU shortage  

  • Discussion of how diversity and inclusivity issues are impacting the industry

 

June 2021 

  • In-depth coverage of the unveiling of the Steam Deck

  • Spotlight on Japan's growing PC market

  • Coverage of the ongoing GPU shortage  

  • Discussion of how diversity and inclusivity issues are impacting the industry

 

May 2021 

  • In-depth coverage of the Epic vs. Apple case and its implications

  • Spotlight on new (and even old) games and publishers that are making waves in the mobile games market

  • Coverage of genre, pricing and porting trends

  • Update on the status of Apple's new privacy policy and its impact thus far

 

April 2021 

  • Deep dive into Valheim's recent success on Steam

  • Coverage of recent investments in metaverse companies

  • Discussion of Steam China and the Chinese PC market

  • Analysis of Days Gone and its performance on PC

  • Summary of recent investigations by the European Commission surrounding Geo-blocking

  • Overview of NFTs and their potential impact on the gaming industry

 

March 2021 

  • Retrospective on IDG's predictions relating to Covid-19

  • Insights into the top console game titles in 2020 

  • Analysis of the recent popularity of remakes and remasters

  • Summary of the upcoming EU Digital Content Directive and implications for the gaming space

  • Review of Sony and Microsoft's next-gen performance

 

February 2021 

  • Insights into the top mobile game titles in 2020 

  • Deep-dive into recent IPOs of social casino mobile games companies

  • Updates on the mobile esports and VR markets

  • Review of game controller usage on mobile devices

 

January 2021 

  • Review of Cyberpunk 2077's performance on Steam 

  • Discussion of PC trends in the Asia market

  • Analysis of Call of Duty's performance on PC

  • In-depth review of Roblox's business strategy and upcoming direct listing 

  • Overview of MY.GAMES's new cloud gaming service

 

December 2020 

  • Discussion of the implications of Apple lowering its platform fee for smaller developers

  • Analysis of monetization and user acquisition trends during COVID

  • Overview of the India and China feud and how it impacts the mobile games market

  • Review of key topics relating to cloud gaming services on mobile devices

  • Analysis of the Battle Royale market and how it has been impacted by Fortnite's removal

 

November 2020 

  • Challenges related to the launch of PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles

  • Discussion on several of Xbox's moves including Game Pass, a new partnership with GameStop, and the company's goals for the Japanese market

  • Analysis on the launch of major free-to-play games including Genshin Impact and Rocket League

  • Key market indicators from the launch of NBA 2K21's Mamba Forever Edition SKU

  • Insights on Nintendo's market strategies including digital shares, Disney Vault-style release for Super Mario 3D All Stars, and the transition to becoming a single platform company

 

October 2020 

  • Analysis of Steam player behavior in 2020 and how it has been impacted by COVID

  • Deep dive on recent announcements in the PC CPU/GPU markets

  • Analysis of a few unexpected standout hits in the PC space and the factors that contributed to their success

  • Updates on the streaming market, including an analysis of key streaming stats on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook Gaming

 

September 2020

  • Analysis of Steam player behavior in 2020 and how it has been impacted by COVID

  • Deep dive on recent announcements in the PC CPU/GPU markets

  • Analysis of a few unexpected standout hits in the PC space and the factors that contributed to their success

  • Updates on the streaming market, including an analysis of key streaming stats on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook Gaming

 

August 2020 

  • The possibility of $70 becoming the new price point for AAA new next-gen releases

  • PlayStation June Showcase, Xbox July Showcase and August State of Play announcements

  • A new wave of video game companies under scrutiny following reports of misconduct

  • Speculations surrounding a new Switch hardware model

  • The positive effect that Game Pass has had on game sales outside of the subscription

  • DLC platform exclusivity in today's current environment where cross-platform play is highly valued

 

July 2020 

  • The shifts within the livestreaming sphere including Mixer's shudown, Ninja's move to YouTube and Tencent's foray into livestreaming with Trovo

  • An assessment of the performance of EA games on Steam

  • The surprising earning potential on PC of older console-exclusive games

  • A look at a spike in GTA V gameplay and sales as a result of the Epic Games Store's summer promotions

 

July 2020 - IDG Thought Piece (COVID-19)

  • Analysis of Covid’s impact by platform (PC, console and mobile), region and business model

  • Deep drive on Covid’s impact on esports

  • Insights in how Covid will reshape the games industry

  • Updated forecast with rationales by platform

Special Report

 

June 2020 

  • Highlight of the success of Fate/Grand Order as well as The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross

  • The launch of Fortnite on the Google Play Store

  • The expansion of HTML5 as a viable web technology for mobile games

  • The impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on Pokémon GO

  • Nintendo’s new subscription offering for Fire Emblem Heroes

  • The recent expansion of the hypercasual genre

 

May 2020 - Annual White Paper

  • A look back at performance and local trends across all gaming segments for each of the Top 20 gaming markets

  • Platform-level dashboards for Mobile, PC, and Console including top titles and top publishers for each of the profiled markets

  • IDG addresses central themes being discussed in gaming including new emerging genres, the impact of Covid-19 on the gaming industry, and next-gen console predictions, among others

  • IDG’s 5-year granular outlook for Console, Mobile, and PC gaming for each of the 20 markets included in this report, across all platforms and revenue streams

 

April 2020 

  • Analysis of developments in the streaming, cloud gaming and digital storefront landscape

  • IDG's take on the launch of key games in Q1, including Half-Life: AlyxEscape From Tarkov and Valorant

  • Update on the esports market and how COVID may impact it moving forward