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While we all have our favorite games played in 2022, let’s do something a little different. 2022 is a year of change in the gaming industry. The pandemic era seems to have passed, cryptocurrencies are collapsing and new business methods like subscriptions are maturing. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the titles that will have the most impact on gaming in 2023 and beyond.
Marvel Snap & Diablo Immortal — mobile monetization
2022 gave us a glimpse into the future of game monetization in 2023 — especially on mobile. Both Marvel Snap and Diablo Immortal were released this year with completely opposite monetization strategies.
Marvel Snap positions itself as a consumer-friendly digital card game. Unlike its competitors, the card is not locked behind open packs. Instead, progress is largely controlled after upgrading the quality (and visuals) of your existing collection while it uses a cosmetic-based approach to monetization. While the game was released only about two months ago, it has since been removed 10 million USD in terms of global sales — a huge feat for a game of the genre that is less widely played.
By comparison, fans might agree that playing Diablo Immortal is fun but its pay-to-win monetization is just too bad. controversial to say the least. Via math of a YouTuber, it can cost up to $100,000 to get a fully upgraded character. Despite this controversy, the game has earned more than 100 million USD in about two months. Only Pokémon Go hit 9-figure sales faster. By the end of 2022, that is third highest revenue Mobile game of the year.
Marvel Snap has developed a community that can turn it into a franchise forever with matching revenue. Meanwhile, Diablo Immortal has optimized spending. If Marvel Snap can turn the tide, it could have far-reaching effects across the industry. If not, I hope there will be more games borrowed from Diablo Immortal or Genshin’s impact drama.
Sorare — blockchain game in 2023
Blockchain games and play-for-money titles have attracted millions of players and billions of dollars in investments over the past few years. However, the crypto winter of 2022 has hit the market hard. By 2023, blockchain games will need to demonstrate that they have the staying power and potential for mass adoption.
enter Sorare, a sports game where players can buy, sell, and trade NFTs of digital player cards to build a fantasy team. The French development team chose to start with football and recently added NBA and MLB support. While this headline isn’t new in 2022, it’s already made strides after the crypto winter.
Sorare will compare with the NBA Top Shot, but it has certainly been repeated on the sports NFT collectible model. Sorare attracts more fans, has a better pipeline for new users, and additional gameplay will give the game more staying power.
Perhaps more importantly, the game has also defied the blockchain game boom cycle.
Sorare has gradually gained popularity over time. Today, Sorare is searched much more often than NBA Top Shot. Does this quieter, more sustainable strategy work? The industry will get more answers next year.
Wordle — Games for non-gaming subscriptions
Wordle may not be the flashiest or most complicated game, but its success is undeniable. The game hit its peak in popularity at the start of the year, but it still maintains healthy interest among a wide audience. In fact, Wordle was most searched in 2022 period on Google.
One of the reasons Wordle has spread so far is its built-in sharing feature. With a simple copy and paste, users can compare results without revealing the content and get people looking for the source of all those emoji block grids.
In January, the New York Times bought the game from its developer for “low seven numbers.The newspaper’s report on purchases highlights the importance of games for meeting the newspaper’s goal of 10 million subscribers by the end of 2025.
In an age where engagement and attention matter to businesses, it’s clear that games can drive this level of repeat engagement for other subscription services. Netflix’s foray into gaming is another obvious example. If businesses are looking to retain subscribers — especially if discretionary spending drops — then I expect more businesses to follow the NY Times lead and turn to gaming to retain customers. used in 2023.
High on Life — Artificial Intelligence and Netflix Effects
High on Life is a mix of comedy, Metroidvania-style exploration, and FPS combat. Although the game was one of the last releases of 2022, it quickly left a lasting impact.
On the more controversial side, Justin Roiland, co-founder and CEO of Squanch Games and co-creator of Rick and Morty, confirmed High on Life used AI tools in its production. The team used AI mid-journey to create alien-style paintings to complete the game’s otherworldly setting. AI was also used to prototype some of the voiceovers, with an AI voiced minor performing the final part.
Roiland said in an interview with sky news. In 2023, the gaming industry will likely see more titles following High on Life’s lead.
In addition, High on Life is currently the most successful poster child for Xbox Game Cards. The title is the biggest release on the service in 2022. Perhaps more importantly, High on Life is the biggest third-party launch in Game Pass history and also a single-player game launch. biggest on Game Pass.
High on Life’s hugely successful launch on the service helps demonstrate Microsoft’s intended business model to work for many AAA multiplayer games. Like Netflix, Game Pass has shown that it can introduce new games to a growing number of players simply because they are already included in the monthly subscription fee. Likely, many AAs and smaller studios will see High on Life’s success as a marketing strategy for their own titles.
BGMI, Call of Duty and Fortnite — Government and Games
In 2022, governments around the world have recognized the power and influence of gaming. The earliest steps towards this – such as China restricting video game approval and playtime for minors — that happened years ago. However, this attention in the industry has come into full force this year.
India has taken significant steps to crack down on one of the country’s most popular titles: Battlegrounds Mobile India. PUBG Mobile is forbidden along with several other apps published by Chinese companies. Krafton then released a country-specific version in 2021 to address these data privacy concerns. This year, BGMI is banned again for the same national security concern. With growing bipartisan support for a TikTok ban in the USwe could see the ban spreading.
The United States is also looking more closely at regulating the gaming industry. With Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Federal Trade Commission (Between other governing bodies) is scrutinizing industry consolidation. The deal also makes Call of Duty the proverbial that Microsoft and Sony want to separate.
The FTC is showing strength in other ways. Just last week, the FTC issued a $520 million in fines for Epic Games for violating children’s privacy and deceptive business practices. The fine is the largest in history for the commission.
In addition, the european union is also looking at regulations and investments in games and e-sports. Part of the EU’s motivation for this is “contribute to EU soft power” and promote European values. More broadly, the regulator is establishing itself as the global tech industry regulator. This can have a big impact on Hardware, app store and more.
The industry struggles with games being used as political tools. Whether it’s data privacy and national security, regulatory or investment concerns, the relationship between game companies and governments is changing. Judgments on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard’s deal are expected as early as 2023, but game companies must consider how additional regulations and oversight could affect the plans Future.
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