Fortnite, GTA, Call of Duty, and Roblox dominated gaming playtime in 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of the gaming industry, new data from market researcher Newzoo reveals a notable trend: while the market itself grew by 2.6 percent in 2023, the majority of playtime was spent on established titles rather than newer releases. The report sheds light on the dominance of games like Fortnite, GTA V, Call of Duty, and Roblox, showcasing the challenges faced by new titles in capturing player attention.
Released on April 2, Newzoo's annual game industry report unveils a comprehensive overview of gaming habits and spending throughout 2023. Despite reaching an impressive $93.5 billion in revenue for the PC and console market, the data underscores a concentration of playtime in a select few long-standing games.
Fortnite, the popular battle royale phenomenon, claimed the top spot across all platforms, demonstrating its enduring appeal. Joining Fortnite in the ranks of highly-played titles are stalwarts like Grand Theft Auto V, Counter-Strike 2, Roblox, Minecraft, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Fall Guys, Valorant, and Call of Duty. Notably, the majority of these titles have been around for several years, indicating a preference among gamers for familiar and established experiences.
The report's findings reveal a striking statistic: just 66 titles accounted for a staggering 80 percent of all playtime in 2023. Even more telling is that 60 percent of this playtime was dedicated to games six years old or older. In essence, a handful of long-standing games such as Fortnite, Roblox, League of Legends, Minecraft, and GTA V, collectively absorbed 27% of total playtime for the year.
Digging deeper into the data, it becomes evident that new games faced an uphill battle for player attention. Of the 23 percent of playtime attributed to new games—defined as titles two years or younger—over half was consumed by annualized franchises like Madden and NBA. Only 8 percent of playtime was devoted to new, non-annual releases such as Diablo IV or Baldur's Gate III.
Newzoo's report underscores the intensifying competition in the gaming industry, where established franchises and live-service games reign supreme. "It will be increasingly challenging to grow a game’s playerbase," states Newzoo, highlighting the uphill battle for publishers and developers to carve out a space in an industry dominated by giants like Fortnite and Roblox.
In an era where players gravitate towards familiar and content-rich experiences, the report serves as a sobering reminder of the formidable obstacles faced by new titles seeking to capture the attention of the gaming community.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the data from Newzoo's report paints a vivid picture of the challenges awaiting new titles. The industry's growth, while significant at 2.6 percent, is overshadowed by the enduring popularity of established games. For developers and publishers looking to break into the market, the dominance of titles like Fortnite and GTA V presents a formidable barrier.
The appeal of these long-standing games lies not only in their familiarity but also in their robust content pipelines and vibrant communities. Games like Roblox, with its user-generated content model, offer endless possibilities for engagement. This poses a stark contrast to the struggle faced by new releases to capture a slice of players' time and attention.
One key takeaway from the report is the shifting landscape of player engagement. The majority of playtime is now concentrated in a select few titles, indicating a preference for well-established experiences over new ventures. With just 66 games accounting for 80 percent of playtime, the competition for player engagement has never been fiercer.
Moreover, the report highlights the challenge of growing a game's player base in an environment dominated by evergreen titles and live-service games. For developers of new and innovative titles, the path to success is increasingly narrow. The success stories of games like Fortnite, which started as a new and bold venture, now seem like outliers in a sea of established giants.
In the face of this data, developers and publishers must carefully consider their strategies for entering the market. While big sequels and annual entries in popular series continue to draw significant playtime, there is still room for creativity and innovation. However, the road to success in the gaming industry now demands not only a compelling game but also a robust plan for engaging and retaining players.
As Newzoo's report suggests, the gaming industry is undergoing a transformation where established titles wield considerable power. The challenge for newcomers is not just to create a great game but also to navigate a landscape where the competition for player attention is fierce. Only time will tell how developers and publishers respond to these evolving trends and whether new titles can carve out their space in this highly competitive environment.
A recent report by market researcher Newzoo has shed light on the gaming industry's landscape in 2023, revealing an interesting trend: while the industry itself grew by 2.6%, the majority of playtime was concentrated in a handful of older games. The report indicates that gamers spent more time revisiting established titles like Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, Call of Duty, and Roblox, leaving less room for newer releases.
In 2023, the PC and console game market soared to $93.5 billion in revenue, showcasing a healthy growth trajectory. However, the standout detail is the dominance of long-standing favorites in the gaming community. Fortnite, renowned for its battle royale gameplay, claimed the top spot across all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch and PC. Other stalwarts like GTA V, Counter-Strike 2, Roblox, Minecraft, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Fall Guys, Valorant, and Call of Duty made consistent appearances in the top 10 lists.
Newzoo's data reveals a remarkable trend: just 66 titles accounted for a staggering 80% of all gaming playtime in 2023. What's more, 60% of this playtime was attributed to games that are six years old or older. Notably, five aging but beloved games—Fortnite, Roblox, League of Legends, Minecraft, and GTA V—commanded 27% of the entire year's playtime.
The picture becomes clearer when looking at playtime spent on new games, defined as titles released within the last two years. Surprisingly, more than half of this playtime was occupied by annual franchise entries like the latest Madden or NBA games. Only 8% of gaming time was devoted to new, non-annual releases such as Diablo IV or Baldur’s Gate III.
Newzoo's report underscores the daunting reality for developers and publishers: the competition is fierce. In today's gaming world, creators are not just vying for attention against new releases but also battling established behemoths like Fortnite and Roblox. These free-to-play giants, with their endless user-generated content, have become the go-to destinations for gamers worldwide.
Despite these challenges, Newzoo suggests there is still opportunity for success in this competitive environment. However, the report emphasizes that growing a game's player base is becoming increasingly difficult. As Newzoo succinctly puts it, "It will be increasingly challenging to grow a game’s playerbase, particularly in our current landscape, where evergreen titles and robust content pipelines reign supreme."
In essence, for developers not working on big sequels, remakes, or annual entries, the road to success in the gaming industry may be more challenging than ever.