Report Overview

Gaming’s mainstream decade – Five defining themes for the 2020s

2020 promises a year of transition for the games industry: eSports and games broadcasting are competing with traditional programming; game streaming services are becoming meaningful platform competition; and new consoles are on the way

While most in the studio and TV industries continue to struggle with the games market—neither understanding (or seeing) a strategic fit, nor showing a willingness to invest—expect explosive growth to power the industry for the next decade and transform all entertainment services, not just games

The ‘free-to-play’ games sector requires oversight and regulation to protect children and the vulnerable; expect regulatory turbulence in the UK, Europe and China

Contents

The 2020s: a banner decade for platforms, developers, and gamers

Theme #1: eSports and games broadcasting continue to build important audiences

Theme #2: Stadia stutters but game streaming’s big competitors are waiting in the wings

Theme #3: New Consoles launch with Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5

Theme #4: In the direct-to-consumer age, games will be a growth generator for major studios

Theme #5: Regulation of ‘free-to-play’ games is looming; it’s long overdue and necessary

List of charts/tables

Figure 1: Five themes for the gaming industry in the 2020s

Figure 2: Time spent watching gaming content (hours/week)

Figure 3: Xbox Series X (left) and Xbox One X (right)