SuperData: Video games grew 12% to $139.9 billion in 2020 amid pandemic

The sport sector grew 12% to $139.9 billion in 2020 from $120.1 billion in 2019 as numerous industries shrank in the course of the pandemic, according to a report by industry researcher SuperData. But for 2021, SuperData predicts that the activity industry will only improve 2% in 2021.

SuperData said the double-digit advancement of the sector arrived as people today said they performed much more games to battle boredom, escape from the actual planet, locate a substitute for unavailable amusement, and continue to be in contact with close friends and household or fulfill new people. Console video games in individual took off for the duration of a calendar year when two new consoles arrive, with revenues up 28% from a yr before. But it also cautions that its numbers differ from other estimates of the video game industry’s revenues, as they do not consist of the sale of actual physical discs, cartridges, and hardware like consoles.

The pandemic shaped the sport industry in 2020 as players stayed home nd went online to interact with individuals. More than half of U.S. inhabitants (55%) performed game titles during the very first stage of COVID-19 lockdowns, as gatherings like pro sporting activities and viewing films in theaters turned unavailable.

No cost-to-enjoy game titles ongoing to generate the broad majority of income (78%), with Asian markets accounting for 59% of no cost-to-play earnings. Hardcore mobile game titles ongoing to attraction to gamers in Asia. Honor of Kings and Peacekeeper Elite, each Tencent titles, every created around $2 billion in the course of the calendar year.

On leading of that, gaming video clip material (GVC) grew to become a $9.3 billion field in 2020, achieving 1.2 billion viewers. Game films for Amongst Us aided that sport turn into 1 of the most well-known of all time. Overall, electronic games on your own gained $126.6 billion in 2020, up 12% calendar year-over-yr. For 2020, sport earnings ended up up just 6% calendar year-in excess of-12 months in January and February but jumped to 14% for the relaxation of the calendar year. As COVID-19 lockdowns took influence throughout the world in March, video game paying out took off and under no circumstances permit up.

The cellular current market knowledgeable 10% progress in 2020 and accounted for 58% of the full games sector. That implies that even whilst folks have been in lockdown, they selected to use cell equipment over PCs and consoles although they were in their homes.

Cell earnings remained regular as a majority of cell gamers (62% in the United States) by now use cellular products as their most important gaming system. Cellular avid gamers in North The us and Europe continued to enjoy mainstay titles like Pokémon Go and Candy Crush Saga. In Asia, mobile remained the platform of option for numerous hardcore players and titles like Free Fireplace performed improved than at any time in 2020.

Quality console earnings have been the speediest-developing phase. North The united states accounts for 57% of the high quality console sector and the important impression of COVID-19 on the United States induced greater console engagement, pushing around the world revenue upward. Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons became a person of the biggest hits in 2020, breaking the console report (set by Get in touch with of Responsibility: Black Ops IV) for high quality start downloads.

With COVID-19, games turned socially distanced accumulating hubs. Cost-free-to-participate in online games like Fortnite and Roblox hosted concert events by musicians — Travis Scott carried out a digital live performance in Fortnite to far more than 45 million viewers throughout 5 performances. In November, singer Lil Nas X performed a live performance in Roblox, collecting more than 33 million views throughout the celebration. Models collaborated with video game providers, with Marvel integrating its people into Fortnite.

VR survives

Virtual actuality video games created $589 million in 2020 as standalone headsets this kind of as the Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 grew to become the gadget of choice for most customers. While general VR headset shipments fell 15% in 2020, product sales of standalone devices grew 19% all through the year.

The standalone Oculus Quest 2 is driving VR adoption between mainstream people. In distinction, the the moment well known high quality cellular section effectively died in the course of 2020 as system holders dropped guidance for the Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream. PlayStation VR product sales also declined thanks to a lack of new articles as Sony centered on the start of the PlayStation 5.

VR video game profits was up 25% year-above-calendar year largely many thanks to the launch of 50 %-Lifetime: Alyx. As a VR-unique entry in a major franchise, 50 percent-Life: Alyx rejuvenated interest in the know-how amongst hardcore gamers. The Computer recreation bought 1.9 million electronic units in its 1st 6 months and created far more revenue on its individual than all Computer VR games blended in 2019.

But source concerns held back pandemic-fueled expansion in VR expending. The impression of COVID-19 on manufacturing lines intended headsets like the Oculus Quest and Valve Index were marketed out by means of much of 2020. Nevertheless, all those who previously owned headsets utilized them extra. In the spring, COVID-19 triggered 71% of U.S. VR headset homeowners to devote extra time with their equipment than in the earlier.

Forecast

After considerable pandemic-fueled advancement in 2020, SuperData predicts that interactive leisure earnings will rise 2% in 2021.

Regardless of an raise in gaming exercise due to COVID-19, the rollout of a vaccine is not anticipated to induce a gaming crash. Even though electronic video game earnings is projected to be roughly flat in 2021, the extended-phrase behaviors formed in the course of lockdown are in this article to remain, SuperData said. Notably, equally cost-free-to-participate in and premium markets in Asia were up calendar year-above-yr by 11% and 20% respectively, regardless of numerous countries, particularly China, dealing with COVID-19 far more swiftly and proficiently than other markets.

The methods of the “big three” console makers will continue on to diverge. Microsoft is focused on turning Xbox Video game Move into a Netflix of games that operates on every little thing from telephones to good TVs. Microsoft’s profits and subscriber numbers ended up up 179% and 175%, respectively, from a yr ago in November 2020. Meanwhile, Sony and Nintendo will continue to concentrate on platform exclusives which generate hardware income.

SuperData said marketplace consolidation will go on in 2021 as developers and publishers combat for a place in a aggressive industry. In 2020, declared acquisitions incorporated ZeniMax Media (Bethesda) by Microsoft, Codemasters by Digital Arts, and Daybreak Games by EG7.