Welcome to our comprehensive roundup of recent game industry polls conducted on LinkedIn. This is a snapshot of the sector’s current state and the evolving perspectives of its participants. As we delve into these surveys, we uncover insights into macroeconomic influences, business strategies, the impact of regulatory changes, and the community’s outlook on the democratization of game development. This article synthesizes responses from key polls that address pressing issues related to the video game and creator industries.

Macroeconomic Pressures & Business Strategies

POLL QUESTION #1: Are you considering expanding your game business from current platforms or engines, by going direct-to-consumer (DTC) via the web or cloud? Answers & Insights:
In the face of macroeconomic pressures, such as higher interest rates and increased costs, companies are reevaluating their strategies. With 76% of respondents voting “YES”, we see that a vast majority are considering expanding their game business from current platforms or engines, by going DTC via the web or cloud.

The Democratization of Game development

POLL QUESTION #2: Does the democratization of game development and publishing allow independent studios to compete with AAA games and their mega budgets? Answers & Insights:
The advent of powerful game engines and DTC commerce solutions have challenged the traditional role of publishers. Our community is almost evenly split on whether this democratization allows independent studios to compete with AAA games and their mega budgets, with 58% believing that the latest tools and direct to consumer solutions allow indie studios to compete with big budget games. This leaves 42% who feel that even with these resources, indie studios are still unable to compete on a level playing field.

Video Game Awards & Industry Reflection

POLL QUESTION #3: Do you think video game awards and award shows properly reflect what the industry thinks? Answers & Insights:
The end of every year brings with it a near endless stream of awards and the evergreen question of whether these awards truly reflect the game industry's diversity and creativity. A significant 80% of respondents in this poll believe that award shows often overlook indie and uniquely innovative games, favoring mainstream big budget games. A few comments that summarize the majority sentiment: “Definitely not. Game awards often overlook the vast diversity of the gaming industry, particularly indie and innovative titles. They tend to favor mainstream, heavily marketed games, which doesn’t truly reflect the creativity and breadth of the entire industry.” “No, of course not. They don’t actually award much regarding the development of a game (like systems design, technical, etc) and often focus on the more peripheral elements that fans understand (like performance). Which, fine, but not really celebrating the key craft involved in making video games.” “The mainstream is fun and great, and it’s always exciting when big cultural moments happen in games, especially at the highest ends of budgets and technology. At the same time - there are many, many wonderful experiences for which there isn’t really an awards show vocabulary.”

The Impact of Chinese Gaming Regulations

POLL QUESTION #4: Will the new proposed game regulations incentivize Chinese game makers to pursue more aggressive expansion strategies outside of China? Answers & Insights:
The recent proposal by Chinese regulators for significant restrictions within the country's gaming industry has created considerable angst for publishers in China and investors in Chinese game companies. The proposed restrictions immediately impacted company valuations, prompting many to reconsider their growth, monetization and release strategies. While this poses serious questions for the industry within China, 80% of games industry professionals feel these proposed regulations may create opportunities in other markets by pushing Chinese game makers to expand more aggressively outside China. Some respondents argue that the primary focus for Chinese game makers should be to bridge the gap in their local market rather than seek expansion in the West; this would mean working with the government, as being a licensed operator in China entails being a "registered agent of the state." In response to the idea of these proposals forcing more Chinese games to shift their focus to the West, some pointed out that since it's substantially easier to launch things in other markets with more creativity intact; it would be the best bang for the buck to do so.

New Year Prognostication

POLL QUESTION #5: Will 2024 be a better year than 2023 for the games industry? Answers & Insights:
2023 has been a wild year of ups (great releases, blockbuster acquisitions) and downs (layoffs) for the games industry. As the year came to a close, members of the games industry shared their thoughts on what 2024 would bring, with 78% feeling 2024 would be a better year and 22% feeling things would only get worse. Some thoughts from the community: “It couldn't get any worse than 2023, right?” "So everyone will say yes, but looking at the economic (external) factors, the slow innovation despite new games over the last few years, the run for Web3 (without the right business modeling), and too much investment money in this industry locked up and underperforming (low ROI), I would say 2024 will be very challenging from top to bottom." "Things will probably be looking better from Q2 and beyond.”

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, this roundup of game industry polls has provided a rich tapestry of insights, illustrating a sector that is simultaneously grappling with economic uncertainties, regulatory shifts, and transformative opportunities. The data shows a significant portion of the industry poised for change, whether through expanding direct-to-consumer efforts, embracing the empowerment of independent developers, or navigating new regulatory landscapes abroad. Moreover, the mixed sentiments surrounding video game awards highlight a craving for greater recognition of diverse and innovative contributions within the industry. As we move deeper into 2024, these polls not only reflect current states but also set the stage for ongoing discussions about the future of gaming. The feedback from industry professionals underscores a cautious optimism mingled with strategic caution, suggesting that the next year could be pivotal in shaping the next phase of the video game industry. Stay tuned for more #insights and participate in the next polls: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishewish

Written & Published By

Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer at Xsolla