mobile GAMING UPDATES

2023.Q2

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

Released: September 29, 2023

2023.Q1

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

Released: June 30, 2023

2022.Q4

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

Released: March 31, 2023

2022.Q3

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

Released: December 15, 2022

2022.Q2

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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 the Web3 market
A revisit of the economics of mobile game development with a focus on top-performing games

Released: September 30, 2022

2022.Q1

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

Released: May 31, 2022

2021.Q4

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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 updated on mobile esports
An analysis of top genres on consoles
A closer look at the growing ecosystem of developers within UGC platforms

Released: February 28, 2022

2021.Q3

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

Overview of the online discourse of recently launched Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition and Halo Infinite
An analysis on the influx of investments in NFT-centric gaming companies
Retrospective on the success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Insight into the promotional campaign for Riot’s animated series Arcane
Coverage of Amazon’s struggle to retain New World players and an analysis of its reputation among gamers
In addition, this report includes updates to IDG's 5-year games forecast, a round-up of relevant news and M&As, and top titles.
A look into the companies moving away from investments in China's games market due to the government's crackdown on gaming

Released: December 13, 2021

2021.Q2

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

In addition, this report includes updates to IDG's 5-year games forecast, a round-up of relevant news and M&As, and top titles.

Released: August 25, 2021

2021.Q1

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

In addition, this report includes updates to IDG's 5-year games forecast, a round-up of relevant news and M&As, and top titles.

Released: May 21, 2021

2020.Q4

Topics covered in this quarter's update include:

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

In addition, this report includes updates to IDG's 5-year games forecast, a round-up of relevant news and M&As, and top titles.

Released: February 11, 2021

2020.Q3

In this quarterly update, EDP covers the following topics in the Mobile Gaming market:

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

In addition, this report includes updates to IDG's 5-year games forecast, a round-up of relevant news and M&As, and top titles.

Released: December 18, 2020

2020.Q2

In this quarterly update, IDG covers the following topics in the Mobile Gaming market:

The implications of Epic Games' lawsuit against Apple and Google
The impact of Apple's plans to alter the landscape of mobile advertising
Updates on Apple's fraught situation in the Chinese market
Initial thoughts on Amazon Luna

In addition, this report includes updates to IDG's 5-year games forecast, a round-up of relevant news and M&As, and top titles.

Released: September 28, 2020

2020.Q1

In this quarterly update, IDG covers the following topics in the Mobile Gaming market:

Highlight of the success of Fate/Grand Order as well as The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross
Fortnite’s launch 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

In addition, this report includes updates to IDG's 5-year games forecast, a round-up of relevant news and M&As, and top titles.