The video game industry has grown significantly in recent years, with technology allowing developers to make more extensive and more ambitious games than ever. Gaming has become more popular, with more than 26% of the world’s population saying they enjoy playing games. In 2020, the video game industry generated $155 billion in revenue, which is expected to grow to more than $260 in 2025.
ExpressVPN’s research provides a more in-depth look at the current video game industry, including the types of games that people love to play the most. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, retro games are among the most popular, along with shooters. What are the reasons for this, and what does this mean for video game developers?
The Surging Popularity of Retro Titles
While technology is helping developers create expansive worlds and new, complex games for the latest generation, many people still love retro games the most. The popularity of retro games has increased over the last few years. People are happy to play older titles with outdated graphics, often preferring them to the latest AAA releases.
One of the main factors in the popularity of retro gaming is nostalgia. Recent years have seen a surge in the popularity of remakes and remasters in video games and other forms of entertainment. People love things that make them remember their childhoods, and few things are as nostalgic as playing retro video games.
In addition to being nostalgic, retro gaming is now often cheaper than playing the latest titles. You can purchase old classics online from other players, paying much lower costs than the retail price of new releases. Not only that, but these games can run on older hardware, meaning gamers don’t need to shell out a fortune for the latest consoles or graphics cards.
Why Shooters are Still King
Despite the growing popularity of retro games, shooters remain the most popular genre of video games for now. In recent years, series such as Call of Duty and Battlefield have continued to break records, and Fortnite and PUBG have also become huge sensations.
The main factor in the success of these games is that they include online multiplayer, where gamers can pit their skills against one another to see who’s the best. The fast-paced, competitive aspect of shooters makes them so popular and ensures that players keep returning for more.
In terms of gameplay, shooters are normally relatively simple, so they’re also easy to pick up. Yet they have a high skill ceiling, so it’s very rewarding to players that want to challenge themselves and improve. The multiplayer gameplay encourages teamwork and cooperation, adding a social element and making them more fun to play with friends.
The Future of Video Games
The future of the video games industry is looking very bright, with more people getting into gaming each year. The industry is already bigger than films and music combined, and most think it will continue to grow. New technology will help make more interesting games, but current research suggests that it’s irrelevant to a game’s popularity.
The continued success of retro games proves there’s much more to a successful video game than the shiniest graphics. Games should also be fun, easy to play and allow multiple players to compete. Video games of the future will probably feature more social interaction than ever and let anyone to play. Developers will focus more on creating new ideas from the old, introducing millions of new people to the joys of gaming.
