Accelerated Development and Efficiency

The indie developer scene is showcasing impressive dynamics: 62% of indie studios are bringing games to market in less than a year. This underscores the increasing efficiency in game development, supported by tools like Unity that enable rapid prototyping and efficient development processes. For example, the game "Crying Suns" by Alt Shift benefited from such tools to "get to the core of the game's fun" more quickly.

Productivity Boost through Assets

The use of prefabricated assets and the integration of DevOps tools significantly contribute to efficiency improvements. Studios utilizing the Unity Asset Store can develop games about 20% faster. This illustrates the value of reusing assets and automating development processes.

Mobile-Only and Multiplatform Strategies

The inclination towards mobile-only games and cross-platform play has intensified with a 44% increase in the production of such games by large studios. Concurrently, large studios have increased the number of multiplatform games by 16%, showing efforts to reach a broader audience. An example of this is the game "MARVEL SNAP" by Second Dinner, demonstrating the flexibility of multiplatform strategies.

Monetization Strategies and Player Preferences

The report reveals a shift in monetization strategies: Despite an 8% increase in daily active users, the industry records a 2% decrease in in-app purchases. Players show an almost equal preference for in-app purchases and ad-based models. Games like "Subway Surfers" by SYBO illustrate the successful application of a balanced monetization approach.

Developers face the challenge of finding a balance between in-app purchases (IAP) and ad revenues. The report indicates that ad-based games show better retention rates than those relying solely on IAP. Reward ads offer players incentives to stay in the game longer, for example by providing extra lives or tools in exchange for watching advertisements.

Player Engagement through Updates and LiveOps

To ensure the longevity of their titles, developers pursue innovative strategies for player engagement. A crucial factor is the regular update of content. 68% of studios rely on achievements and challenges, while 67% continuously renew their core game content. Furthermore, 18% utilize user-generated content to enhance engagement and foster a stronger community.

Larger studios with over 50 employees increasingly rely on time-limited events (66%), daily rewards or missions (65%), and social features (54%) to maintain a dynamic and engaged player base.

The implementation of Live Operations (LiveOps) early in the development process underscores their importance for player success. 70% of studios integrate LiveOps tools within the first 30 days, showing that adapting to player feedback and optimizing the gaming experience are prioritized from the start. This allows developers to flexibly respond to market trends and effectively steer monetization.

Global Developments and Challenges

Game development has become a global movement, with significant growth in countries like Kazakhstan, Romania, Poland, India, and Ukraine. However, this global phenomenon also brings challenges, such as adapting to different market preferences and navigating through diverse regulatory landscapes.