20170218-GDC-STATE_OF_THE_GAME_INDUSTRY_2017_14页_694kb

2017 State of the Game Industry Summary

Core Content

The 2017 State of the Industry report, presented by the Game Developers Conference (GDC), provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future direction of the global games industry. Based on a survey of over 4,500 developers who had attended GDC events in the past three years, the report highlights several key trends and insights across various aspects of game development, including platform preferences, VR/AR development, funding sources, and promotional strategies.

Main Trends and Findings

Platform Preferences

• PC and Mobile remain the most popular platforms for game development and release:
  • 45% of developers released their last game on PC/Mac
  • 35% released on smartphones/tablets
  • 19% on PlayStation 4/4 Pro
  • 15% on Xbox One
  • 13% on VR headsets
• VR/AR is gaining traction, with HTC Vive emerging as the most popular platform among developers:
  • 24% of developers are currently working on HTC Vive
  • 23% on Oculus Rift
  • 13% on PlayStation VR
  • 61% are not involved in VR/AR development at all
• Android has surpassed iOS in terms of mobile development interest:
  • 54% of developers are working on Android
  • 51% on iOS
  • 40% are not developing for any mobile platforms

Developer Experience and Career

• 37% of developers have been in the industry for 3-6 years
• 20% identify as women, a slightly more balanced ratio than the previous year
• The majority of developers are experienced but not yet veterans, indicating a stable and growing industry

Funding Sources

• Self-funding is still the most common source:
  • 55% use company funds
  • 29% use personal funds
  • 15% rely on external publishers
  • 15% use other funding methods
• Crowdfunding interest is declining:
  • 46% have no interest in crowdfunding
  • 15% have worked on a crowdfunding project
  • 24% are planning to try it in the future
  • 4% have failed to meet their crowdfunding goals

eSports Confidence

• 90% of developers believe eSports is a long-term, sustainable business, up from 88% the previous year
• Many developers see eSports as a growing and socially accepted segment, similar to traditional sports

Developer Health in VR

• 43% of developers experience motion sickness or discomfort in VR
• 9% experience it always
• 17% never experience it
• This suggests that while VR is growing, it still poses challenges for some developers and players

Promotion Methods

• Platform storefronts (e.g., Steam, PlayStation Store) are still the most effective method for game discovery:
  • 19% rated it as #1
• Twitch streamers are the least effective:
  • 3% rated them as #1
  • 45% marked them as N/A, indicating limited use or success

Key Insights

• HTC Vive is becoming the dominant VR platform for developers, with growing interest in AR as well.
• Mobile gaming continues to be a major focus, with Android surpassing iOS in developer interest.
• The console market is experiencing mixed feelings about mid-cycle refreshes, with 41% of developers being neutral or uncertain.
• Nintendo Switch is seen as a promising new console, with 50% of developers believing it will outsell the Wii U.
• Publishers are involved in only 25% of projects, suggesting a shift towards independent development.
• eSports is viewed as a positive trend, with growing confidence in its long-term viability.
• Self-funding is still the most common method of financing game development, though crowdfunding is losing traction.

Conclusion

The 2017 State of the Game Industry report underscores the continued dominance of PC and mobile platforms, the growing interest in VR/AR, and the increasing confidence in eSports. It also highlights the evolving landscape of game development, with a shift towards more independent and mobile-focused projects, and a mixed response to console refreshes. The report serves as a valuable resource for understanding the current state of the industry and its future direction.