Anna Kozlova, CEO of Room 8 Group, recently shared her observations on the evolution of the gaming industry and its profound implications for developers and publishers on GamesBeat. She delved into the current dynamics of the gaming industry, shedding light on the transformative forces shaping the sector.
Kozlova highlighted that the number of released game projects is outpacing the growth of consumer spending on games. At the same time, consumers’ expectations of the final product are growing, which leads to an increase in development budgets.
In addition, the director highlighted the lowering of the barrier to entry in the gaming industry, citing the prevalence of affordable platforms such as Unity and Unreal Engine and recent successful projects such as Palworld and Lethal Company, developed with limited resources.
Kozlova highlighted the shift in consumer behaviour towards longer engagement with fewer projects, which is prompting companies to carefully review their production cycles. While it may seem tempting to shorten development time, there is a high risk of releasing an incomplete product and alienating the audience.
Discussing the role of artificial intelligence (AI), Kozlova highlighted its potential to optimise the creation of visuals and dialogue, although she stressed that AI cannot completely replace human work.
Finally, Kozlova pointed to the diversification of monetisation strategies, noting the growing popularity of subscriptions alongside traditional premium games. Platforms such as Fortnite and Roblox are democratising access to games while raising expectations for product quality, which requires a corresponding increase in budgets.
Kozlova’s insights provide food for thought on the complex landscape of the gaming industry, where adaptability and innovation are paramount to achieving sustainable success.
To read the full text of the material by the CEO of Room 8 Group, please visit GamesBeat.