Report suggests that preference for old games will increase in 2023

The video game market is bombarded annually with several different types of games — but it seems that in 2023 the preference is for the classics. At least that’s what a new report from the Newzooa company specializing in the gamer market, announced last Tuesday (02).

Although the gaming industry grew in 2023, reaching US$93.5 billion in revenue, a small number of publishers and developers took a significant share of the overall amount. According to the agency’s survey, just 66 titles represented 80% of all game time in 2023 — 60% of this time was spent on games six years old or older.

Fortnite, GTA V, League of Legends, Minecraft It is Robloxproperties already established on the market, represent 27% of all play time in 2023.

GTA V was one of the most played titles in 2023.Source: Rockstar

Meanwhile, time spent on “new” games (two years or less on the market) is partly made up of annual sequels — like EA Sports FC (old FIFA) or Madden NFL.

The agency also reveals that only 8% of all gaming time spent in 2023 was on new, non-annual titles — such as Diablo IV It is Baldur’s Gate 3.

Developers and publishers will have to adapt to the market

Although the report of Newzoo point out that it is still possible to be successful in the industry, the reality is that players are spending less and less time on new experiences and more and more time on live service franchises already established in the market.

This fact, in turn, makes the lives of publishers a little complicated, as it is difficult to create some type of experience that attracts a new audience. “It will be increasingly challenging to grow a game’s player base,” the report explains.

In other words: good luck to developers and publishers who aren’t creating a major sequel, remake or annual release of an already established franchise.

Platforms were dominated by Fortnite in 2023

Among the most played titles of last year, Fortnite dominates the top and ranks first on all platforms. Check out the top five in each of them below: