Even though this year has been tough for the gaming industry with many layoffs, there’s a silver lining. The development aspect of the games seems to be on an upward trend, as the Summer 2024 report from Sandsoft shows that 81% of mobile game developers are busy creating new titles.
The developers show interest in developing more games, although the launch stage ratio is less
In the recently published Publisher Perception Report by Sandsoft, their study suggests that 81% of developers are working on new titles. Of those 454 senior developers surveyed, 51% believe the worst of the layoffs is over, while 83% have successfully raised capital to develop or market their games. The emphasis on these numbers suggests that the industry looks to move on from the gloom.
Well, several other reports have suggested that despite facing challenges, the mobile gaming market continues to thrive, maybe not massively, but it is positive. According to the data from Apptica’s recent report, the global mobile gaming market experienced a 5.8% increase in downloads in the first half of 2024, surpassing 30 billion installs as revenue also rose by 2.8%, reaching over $24 billion.
However, that doesn’t mean everything is all fine at the moment. The Sandsoft report also adds to the fact that despite their optimism, developers remain aware of ongoing challenges. Among the ones who creating new games, only 9% have reached the soft launch stage, which paints a picture that most of the titles are still in the development phase.
The developers’ thoughts on advanced tech seem to be interesting. A significant 90% believe that having AAA-quality games on mobile devices is crucial. A massive 84% of them are incorporating AI into their development processes as well. Additionally, 34% are exploring blockchain technology, which could offer new ways to handle in-game transactions and digital assets.
Clouds loom over concerns about job security
This is another major topic that has been touched by the report. Concerns over job security are also high, as nearly 49% expect more layoffs, with 67% worried about their current positions. More into the developers’ thoughts, as 44% of the surveyed developers blamed overhiring and mismanagement for the layoffs taking place.
Additionally, 27% of developers feel that publishers take more than they give, citing unfavorable deal terms and loss of creative control as key issues. Furthermore, 39% believe that the terms of the deals offered are the single most important factor in publishing agreements.
The survey was conducted across the US, Spain, and France, and highlighted Latin America as the number one emerging market in game publishing, while Southeast Asia is in the lead for its homegrown content. But localization, however, stays king as 93% of the developers said it is vital to adapt games to different cultures.
Despite the challenges, it is clear from the Sandsoft Summer 2024 report that developers remain focused on finding success in a tough market. There is a mixed reaction, as developers want to give players a good experience to enjoy with their games, but survival has been a problem since as good as the game may be, it is lost in the sea of games released every day.
Catch up on other industry news-
- NetEase Games and Sandsoft introduce Stellar Gate Games to elevate game publishing and Esports in MENA
- Sandsoft opens a new studio in Barcelona aiming to work on brand new mobile titles
- Sandsoft Games appoints Ahmed Sharif as its new Chief Technology Officer
- Sandsoft Games announces its second Press Start internship program in Saudi Arabia
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