PLAYER 2’S 2024 GAMES INDUSTRY PREDICTIONS
Player 2's experts weigh in on their 2024 gaming industry predictions, from Roblox wins to an AI Revolution!
Transmedia will have a record year.
After the success of Baribe, the Sonic the Hedgehog, and The Super Mario Bros movies, along with The Last of Us and The Witcher series on streaming services, there will be even more announcements for movies and TV series based around popular video game franchises that will be fully supported by their game studio and platform of launch.
After a massive wave of nostalgia, 2024 will see a new break-out IP but established IP announcements won’t slow down.
The last few years have had incredible launches for beloved IPs but 2024 will see a lull while more are in development. Nostalgia will always be a top seller but we're due for a new beloved IP that we can feel nostalgic about in 25+ years.
More popular mobile games will be ported to PC in 2024.
Over the last few years, we've seen a rise of incredible mobile games and a large wave of non-mobile games getting a mobile version. This trend is likely to continue with an even greater selection of popular mobile games making their way to PC in the coming year.
Fortnite will continue expanding its platform approach.
Fortnite's introduction of new game modes and cross-game cosmetic support is transforming it from a game to a versatile platform. This approach, likely to be emulated by other games with large player bases, offers licensors more opportunities to integrate their IP.
Rise of User-Generated Content Tools will continue.
Platforms like Roblox and Fortnite are increasingly popular for branded activations due to their user-generated content tools. While Fortnite's tools are less familiar to developers compared to Roblox, they offer significant potential for branded experiences in the gaming ecosystem.
Roblox will see a billboard boom.
Billboards seamlessly blend into experiences, enhancing immersion and realism. Developers can integrate them into their experiences and earn more revenue while Roblox serves the ad automatically to players in the experience.
The Roblox ecosystem will see a rise in 17+ experiences.
Last year, Roblox unveiled the ability for developers to create experiences designated for users aged 17 and above, accessible only to players who have verified their age. While it's just been over six months since this introduction, the growing Roblox player base is naturally evolving in its preferences, leading to a demand for more mature experiences.
Generative AI will see a Revolution.
In 2024, the gaming industry will witness a surge in Generative AI usage. Game companies are already incorporating this technology for professional development, prompting a reevaluation of design principles, user acceptance, and legal considerations. The focus in 2024 will shift towards utilizing Generative AI to elevate user interaction and experience, introducing innovative features for engaging with gameplay systems, NPCs, and user-generated content.
Esports will evolve in 2024.
Esports is poised to maintain its crucial position in 2024, acting not just as a primary engagement tool but also as a powerful strategy for winning back former players. Envision a significant trend emerging, characterized by a deeper integration between games and esports, providing an enhanced and interconnected experience for players and enthusiasts alike.
EA's release of NCAA Football 24 will outsell Madden 24.
Its success will serve as the next step in collegiate athletes being compensated for their name, image, and likeness, particularly if EA shares revenue on player-specific skins.
