1

Video Gaming Review

Video games have never been more popular. The industry is worth around $120 billion worldwide and the biggest titles comfortably generate more income than
blockbuster movies. However the sale of consoles and video games has seen a steady decline in recent years. The gaming world is changing. Dedicated games
consoles are expensive and non-portable so it is not surprising that industry growth is coming from other sources. Gaming on tablets and smartphones is growing
rapidly, as are games played through web browsers and social-networking sites.
The launch and popularity of multiplayer online role-playing games
Video Games (MMORPG) prompted console manufacturers to produce more advanced
gaming consoles and gaming software that allowed users to play against
The majority of video games are designed to entertain people but they can one another online. This brought multi-player games to the console
also educate, inform, persuade and stimulate the user. Games are environment and allowed users to play with others anywhere in the world.
categorised into commonly used video game genres which are mainly The following graph shows the worldwide distribution of online game
based on their gameplay, interaction and category. The best-selling games players in 2022:
are highly polished cinematic thrill-rides that take you on an emotional
rollercoaster. Outstanding graphics, incredible storytelling and superb Global Online Players 2022 (millions)
voice acting make the experience similar to watching a movie; the
1500
difference being that the gamer controls the action.
Aggressive competition between manufacturers has resulted in the 1200
superior features we have today. Games are increasingly realistic and 900
technologically advanced. They feature richly textured, full-colour
graphics, amazing sound and complex interaction between player and 600
system. Social networking has even made its way into the video game
300
industry.
0
Asia Pacific Europe North America Latin America Middle East

Online Gaming Region

and Africa

Online gaming is one of the most popular entertainment activities on the

World Wide Web. With the evolution of advanced internet technologies,
and cheaper and more accessible broadband connectivity, the number of
younger web users has increased, resulting in a demand for online games
across the continents. Many online gaming sites offer paid subscription
services, whilst others offer free gaming usage in order to increase their
web traffic and advertising revenues.

Market review by: Omar Ehab, EG181, 6666

2

e-Sports Mobile Devices

e-Sports is the umbrella term for organised, competitive, multiplayer Mobile gaming is expected to continue its rapid
video gaming, usually between professionals. These events are big growth through 2023 and beyond. A total of 2.6 billion
business and growing in popularity, both online and in arenas. The market people play games on smartphones and tablets. In a
is expected to grow from $170 million in 2019 to $912 million in 2023. recent survey mobile phones were the most used
Tournaments are well-funded with the total prize fund for 2022 being devices for gaming worldwide. While not everyone
worth $95 million. Events are often held in large arenas with spectators owns a computer or console gaming system, almost
watching the action on giant screens. The most lucrative tournament to everyone owns a mobile phone. The ability to reach
date was held in China where 90 players in 18 teams competed. The event this audience will have a huge impact on the growth
offered the highest e-Sports prize pool so far at $34 million. This prize of mobile gaming. Revenue from smartphones and
fund far outweighed the amount offered at other traditional sporting tablets is seen by many as the future of gaming.
events.
Whilst South Korea and China dominate the market of e-Sports, it is now
doing enormous business in Europe and North America. Some countries
have constructed purpose-built stadiums for competitive gaming. As with
traditional sports, e-Sports consists of many different games. Currently
the top five games are:
1. Alliance of Power
2. Impetus IV
3. Nebular Oasis
4. Diametric Force
5. Athena Crusade
Gaming is a valid career choice for a skilled few. As with traditional
sportspeople the top players train for 14 hours a day. They study strategy
and technique and demonstrate remarkable reflexes and mental agility.
Top pro-gamers are famous all over the globe and can earn well over $1.5
million a year from prize money and sponsorship deals. Sponsors are
attracted by the global reach of the e-Sports industry and the user
demographic. The global audience reached 398 million in 2021 with 87%
of these viewers being young males. By 2024 there are expected to be 578
million viewers worldwide. Through sponsorship companies can push
their branding to a demographic which they may otherwise struggle to
reach.

Market review by: Omar Ehab, EG181, 6666

3

The revenue from mobile games has surpassed console gaming sales for nominal amounts for game enhancements such as additional lives, levels
a number of years. Global mobile game revenue reached $77.2 billion in or features. Today many mobile games have adopted ‘Freemium’ as a new
2020 and is expected to exceed $102.8 billion in 2023. This is significant business model. This enables them to supply mobile games for free and
considering that many console games cost over $60 but most mobile gain profit from in-app transactions and advertisements.
games are inexpensive or free with revenue coming from charging
The solitary male gamer stereotype is a thing of the past. Video gaming has become a popular activity for people of all ages and the gaming population is
becoming more and more diverse. The average game player is 37 years old and more women are playing than ever before. Gamers have grown up to have gamer
children leading to families gaming together. Gaming has become a social activity with 40% of gamers playing with friends, 17% playing with their spouse,
34% playing with other family members and 16% of children playing with parents.
We live in a world where social networking and interactive gameplay are now mainstream activities. Video gaming takes place between gamers all across the
world with console-quality games being played through a web browser or a cloud-based gaming service. Some consider this gameplay experience to be
comparable or even better than playing the game on a console or on a high-powered PC. These games can be played on any internet-enabled device, even tablets
and smartphones.

Market review by: Omar Ehab, EG181, 6666