Much is said and written about innovation in gaming and the need for fresh proposals for players. However, the market can move in the opposite direction, and part of the reality of the industry is that a handful of titles dominate sales and preferences. This is evident in a recent report that showed users still prefer titles from years ago, those that are already established.
Innovation, for what? Few games dominated gaming across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC in 2023
Market analysis firm Newzoo (via Kotaku) published its second annual report on the video game industry, this time focusing on what happened in 2023. One of the highlights is the games with the highest number of users on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch, as practically the same successful titles that have been in the market for years are found, leaving only a few spots for other types of proposals.
As you might expect, these are games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Minecraft, Rocket League, ROBLOX, and the eternal Grand Theft Auto V. In fact, the analysis reveals that 66 video games captured 80% of the total gameplay time in 2023.
Xbox had Starfield and Switch 6 exclusives in its Top 10
As shown in the image, this handful of titles has the highest number of users on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Switch, with PC registering the highest average preference for long-standing games with 9.6 years, while on PlayStation and Xbox, its 7.4 and 7.2 respectively. On the other hand, Switch shows a more encouraging figure with games released, on average, 3.9 years ago.
This analysis not only demonstrates the success, and reliance, of third-party titles on Sonys and Microsofts consoles but also exposes the absence of any PlayStation exclusive in the Top 10, while Xbox has Starfield and Switch has 6 exclusives among the most played during 2023.
What do you think about this? Is there room for innovation and new proposals, or has gaming closed itself to these proven formulas and will squeeze them dry?
Tell us in the comments and stay with us at LEVEL UP.
