PC & Console Gaming Report 2023
Download PDFMar, 2023 PC & Console
Gaming Report
2023
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Table of Contents
Highlights
The Games Market
The Games
The Gamers
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The PC and console market in 2023
What’s happening in the games market now and what’s to come
Last year we saw the games market face its first downturn in over a decade. As most of the world stepped
outside after several years of being shuttered, with offices and schools welcoming people back and more
live entertainment returning, PC and console playtime decreased. Compared to 2021, overall playtime
dropped by almost 15%, and there was a decrease in spending year-on-year.
As market analysts, we view the market holistically and see that these trends constitute a correction
towards pre-COVID engagement. While there was a drop in 2022, we’re confident we’ll see an upward
trend in the number of players and how much they spend, especially given that we’re above pre-COVID
engagement levels.
The battle for attention is heating up, elevating ambitions to expand the definition of engagement. We
now have the metaverse, transmedia, cross-platform, remasters, and more, all of which ensure players
stay connected to an IP, company, and/or platform. Also, the struggle to build and remain profitable
amidst rising development costs and higher risk has helped grow unique models. Subscription services,
remasters and remakes, IP licensing, and microtransactions boost profits and mitigate risks.
More than ever, Newzoo’s unique ability to track the PC and console gaming landscape and provide
critical data, insights, and trends is becoming essential for industry players looking to navigate these
tumultuous times. Our product portfolio gives us a 360-degree view of games, gamers, and the games
market so we can see what’s happening now and what to expect in an industry that never stops evolving.
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The markets may be cooling down after the pandemic, but
overall performance still outshines our previous forecasts.
Developing solely for PC or console will still be viable in
the years to come, driven by live services, better access
to hardware, and hybrid monetization.
From the Games Market Reports & Forecasts
PC and console markets generated
$92.3 billion in 2022, a decline of
-2.2% year on year. Average playtime dropped by 23%
across Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation
from 2021 to 2022 . 2/3 of gamers played on a PC
or console in the last six months.
The market has become more equitable, with women
gamers now representing 40% of the total PC & console
player base. Motivations to play PC and console games
have also diversified significantly, as players give more
varying reasons to play across our gamer segmentations.
From the Global Gamer Study
This isn’t a new low, though, it’s a re-correction to similar
numbers to what we saw pre-pandemic. On the develop –
ment side, many companies delayed their launches from
2022 to at least 2023, contributing to last year’s playtime
dip, but a new cohort of anticipated titles may level out
playtime engagement across major platforms.
From the Game Performance Monitor
Highlights from the 2023 report
New and updated business models, a packed release schedule, and a more diverse
player base will stabilize the PC and console market and create growth opportunities
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Know the Games Market
Understand the market with Newzoo’s
key data, forecasts, and insights
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The market for PC and console
games was enormous in 2022
1.1 Bn
$92.3 Bn
611 M
PC players in 2022
PC and console game
revenues in 2022
Console players in 2022
8
PC and console markets are readjusting after the pandemic, but overall
performance still outshines our previous forecasts. Developing solely for
PC or console will still be viable in the years to come, though cross-platform
strategies will be key to succeeding at scale here.
1
More AAA and AA publishers are pivoting their main franchises to a service-
based model. Expect fewer new releases and more investment into proven
franchises from larger publishers. Games looking to debut now should start as
a subscription service to grow an initial audience.
2
The supply chain for semiconductors will bounce back, which will boost the
availability of consoles. The install base for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will
grow rapidly, meaning it will be possible to develop high-end titles for current
consoles without losing too much of the total addressable market (TAM).
3
PC and console games companies will embrace hybrid monetization strategies,
including advertising and marketing. In-game advertising will be a viable
alternative for generating revenue, though it will be key to not disrupt immersion
for a game’s dedicated player base.
4
The games market is stable and growing
Predictions for the market in 2023 after a tumultuous year in gaming
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In 2022, people spent over $92 billion on PC and console
game software worldwide. This total represented a -2.2%
decrease from the previous year’s COVID-fuelled perfor –
mance, and as a consequence of fewer console releases.
The PC market is less hit-driven, so the lack of big titles
didn’t have as drastic an effect. Despite the dip, the market
is in a healthy state and is on track to grow over the next
several years.
Our revenues encompass consumer spending on games: physical
and digital full-game copies, in-game spending, and subscription
services like Xbox Game Pass. Our estimates exclude taxes, second –
hand trade or secondary markets, advertising revenues earned in
and around games, console and peripheral hardware, B2B services,
and the online gambling and betting industry.
56.2% 2.5%
41. 3%
$2.3Bn $38.2Bn
– 1 6 . 7 % YoY
+1 . 8 % YoY
$92.3Bn
2022 Total
YoY
-2 . 2%
Browser PC games
$51.8Bn
– 4 . 2 % YoY
Console games
Downloaded/boxed PC games
The PC and console games market hit $92.3 billion in revenue in 2022
Here’s how different segments performed, including year-on-year growth rates
Source: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | January 2023
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PC and console gaming is generally more popular in
established markets like Europe, North America, Japan,
South Korea, and China. Emerging markets, like Middle
East & Africa and Latin America, are mobile-first, though
we did see small growth this year in PC and console.
Growth in gaming comes from access to hardware, local
payment methods, online population growth, and more
middle-class players. The continuing growth we see in
these emerging markets comes from more people being
able to play PC and console games, not necessarily from
new title releases.
Our revenues encompass consumer spending on games: physical
and digital full-game copies, in-game spending, and subscription
services like Xbox Game Pass. Our estimates exclude taxes, second –
hand trade or secondary markets, advertising revenues earned in
and around games, console and peripheral hardware, B2B services,
and the online gambling and betting industry.
$4.2Bn
$24.3Bn $31.2Bn
+ 0 . 7 % YoY
-2 . 9 % YoY – 4 . 2 % YoY
Latin America
Europe
$29.0Bn
U S To t a l North America
34%
33%
26%
5%
3%
$15.2Bn
C h i n a To t a l
$30.2Bn
– 0 . 2 % YoY
Asia-Pacific
$2.5Bn
+2 . 9 % YoY
Middle East & Africa
The US and China accounted for 48% of PC and console spending in 2022
Here’s how different regions performed, including year-on-year growth rates
$92.3Bn
2022 Total
YoY
-2 . 2%
Source:
Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | January 2023
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+3 . 6%+7. 8 %
PC Gaming
Console Gaming
2015 – 2022F CAGR
2015 – 2022F CAGR
Source: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | January 2023
2015
$31.6Bn
$30.7Bn $31.9Bn
$32.6Bn
$32.4Bn$33.9Bn
$34.2Bn$42.7Bn
$33.8Bn$42.7Bn
$ 3 7. 1 B n$54.5Bn
$40.2Bn$54.1Bn
$40.5Bn$51.8Bn
2016
20172018 20192020 20212022F
Lack of hardware supply and delays to game
releases temporarily hindered revenue growth in the hit-driven console market in 2021 and 2022. Console gaming’s revenue growth vastly outpaced PC gaming growth between 2015 and 2020. During that period, the console player audience grew twice as fast as the PC audience.
PC Console
The PC and console market grew by +5.8% CAGR between 2015 and 2022
2022 was a corrective year for the games market, following an intense growth period during the global pandemic
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Global Games Market Revenues
2020-2022 | Current Estimate vs. Pre-Pandemic*
In January 2020, we predicted that looming
privacy regulations, China’s market lockdown,
and other factors would make for a slow year.
Looking back, 2020 and 2021 saw higher
revenues than anticipated, though the market
experienced a dip in 2022.
While this may seem like a setback for the
games market, the total revenue in 2022 was
$32.8 billion higher than we had originally
forecast. Global lockdowns may have pushed
the games market to unsustainable revenue
levels, especially given the current economic
climate, but this year and the ones to come look
promising, particularly for console.
Our revenues encompass consumer spending on games:
physical and digital full-game copies, in-game spending, and
subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Mobile revenues
exclude advertising. Our estimates exclude taxes, secondhand
trade or secondary markets, advertising revenues earned in
and around games, console and peripheral hardware, B2B
services, and the online gambling and betting industry.
2020 20212022F
$179.1Bn
$160.5Bn $173. 3Bn
$192.7Bn
$189.6Bn
$184.4Bn
Current Estimate Pre-Pandemic Forecast
* 2022 was the last year in our January 2020 forecast
The market significantly outperformed our expectations from 2020 to 2022
The games market outperformed pre-COVID expectations by over $32 billion over a 3-year period
Source: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | January 2023
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Typically, these sure bets are well-known and beloved.
Many sequels, remakes, remasters, and more games
based on established entertainment franchises tend to
follow. Developers and publishers are taking this one step
further and pivoting to a live-service strategy, adding
content to existing titles instead of creating totally new IP.
Live-service games dominate the games market. Ranked
by average MAU in 2022, eight out of the top 10 games
were released before 2022, including Fortnite, Minecraft,
and ROB LOX .
With demands for fidelity, depth of gameplay, and avail –
able content, the bar for single-player, narrative-driven
games has been raised to near-impossible standards. The
live-service model allows developers to finetune games
after launch but comes with an expectation for constant
support and content additions. The increased expectations for high-quality and continuous
content put more pressure on game development.
Over the past decade, development time, teams, and costs
have grown significantly. Publishers have little financial
wiggle room to risk a flop and often focus on a few titles.
Cost TimeTe a m s i z e
More AAA and AA publishers will pivot their main franchises
to service-based models
Expect fewer new, big releases in favor of companies extending the lifespan of existing franchises
Live – service games
Sequels / remakes / remasters
New IP
Yearly releases
14 Source: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | January 2023
14.1 30.6 49.886.3131.4
172 .1
212.9
2017
2018 20192020 20212022F 2023F Global supply chain challenges, specifically a shortage of
semi-conductors, led to the unavailability in current-gen consoles
(PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) for gamers.
Many of the supply chain issues in the games market have been
resolved or are en route to resolution. Devices like the PS5 will be
more available to consumers going into 2023.
The supply is catching up with demand, and even increasing
hardware prices, communicated due to inflation, do not stop
gamers from buying the popular devices. An economic downturn
might dampen the effect.
The cumulative units sold for the aggregate of Nintendo Switch,
PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S will grow to an estimated 208
million at the end of 2023.
After two years with sparse content due to delays across many
studios, the supply of content is set to be much larger in 2023.
Consoles will be more available as semiconductors become more plentiful
Bolstered supply chains for semiconductors will let console makers increase console production, with new gaming
content sustaining ongoing demand
Cumulative units sold*
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X
* Based on a combination of Newzoo estimates and official shipment figures from company financials
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The PC and console games market will embrace hybrid monetization strategies
In-game advertising is becoming a viable alternative for AAA titles to generate revenue
The PC and console market is filled with players, but not
all of them are spending on games themselves. 54% of
players spend on PC, while 50% spend on console. These
are low figures for companies that historically charge
once for games. Previous experiments for in-game advertising in AAA
games failed to achieve success. The market is shifting,
though, so now might be a better time to play with hybrid
strategies.
Here are some reasons why: One of the challenges to unlocking advertising revenue
in AAA PC & console games is that players will be less
receptive to watching ads in exchange for rewards than in
mobile gaming. Mobile players expect this type of moneti –
zation and understand the underlying value exchange.
When introducing advertisements in AAA games, it’s
important that it doesn’t break the game’s immersion and
that the value exchange is clear immediately. Options that
fit these requirements best are:
There’s an entire audience of players
who could be converted into spenders Why in-game advertising is now viable
for AAA PC and console games In-game advertising strategies
come with their share of challenges
Advertising exchanges are automated, saving time on
both sides
Almost every player and every game is online
Brand marketers are sold on the power of gaming to
reach people
Advertisers need a new channel to reach (young)
audiences
Free-to-play games on PC and console are a mainstay,
but F2P monetization might be challenged in times of
economic uncertainty Ad-based subscription tiers that offer cheaper
monthly costs but come with the occasional ad. At
the end of 2022, Microsoft conducted a survey that
suggested that the company could introduce a $3 tier
with some exclusive content in exchange for having
ads pop up
Blended ads that, if designed properly, integrate
seamlessly into the gaming experience
Rewarded ads that give users extra incentives
(in-game rewards) for clicking on or watching an ad
within a game or app
50% 50% 46% 54%
PC payer share Console payer share
Source: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | January 2023
Share of paying players per segment
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Understand
Market Movements
Includes:
Prioritize
International Roll-Out
Set
Realistic Growth Targets
Newzoo’s Games Market Reports and Forecasts
Access the most trusted and quoted games market sizing data, forecasts, and
trends on a global, regional, and local level.
The Global Games Market Report, a
165-page PDF that analyzes the latest
trends, developments, and games market
forecasts.
Access the report, quarterly updates, key
metrics, and many more unique insights
through our Newzoo Platform. Personal User Licenses
Personal access to your
subscription in one place
Accompanying Excel dataset
with granular data breakdown
16
Learn more
17
Know the Games
Diving deeper into game-level
performance and trends
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Evolving business models brought
in new players and reinvigorated
existing audiences in 2022
100+ Bn
$200+
15+
Hours spent playing
PC and console games
Average payer spend in
US market per platform
Average titles played per
player on each platform
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Playtime and spending were down in 2022 but top games
are finding unique growth opportunities
Predictions for PC and console games and related media after a tumultuous year for developers and publishers
Overall playtime and spending were down in 2022 as COVID-19 restrictions
eased in many places and high-profile titles had their releases delayed.
A stellar launch lineup and continued improvement to live services in top
games will stabilize playtime and increase spending in 2023.
1
Landing a top position in the highest MAU rankings is becoming more
challenging than ever. The top games will continue to improve their live services
to provide continual content and player experiences to keep players engaged.
2
Top titles are adapting to the times by adopting a wider range of improved
monetization models, including hybridization of pay-to-play (P2P or premium)
and free-to-play (F2P or freemium) models to boost revenue.
Microtransactions, DLC, and subscription revenue streams have increased in
share of the overall market spend and will continue to grow and diversify as
publishers experiment with new techniques.
3
With more successful examples popping up in the market, PC and console
publishers will continue to leverage unique business models and opportunities
to keep players engaged with IPs even with longer launch cycles. These will
include remakes and remasters, transmedia strategies, and subscription
services.
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Average hours played per platform in 2021 vs 2022
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (Steam), Xbox, PS | 37 Markets | 2021, 2022
Note: all metrics based on single-platform behavior and does not reflect playtime totals of players that play across multiple platforms
0 -25 hr
+18%
26 -100 hr
+20%
101 -250 hr
+18%
501-1000 hr
-11%
>1000 hr
-37%
251-500 hr
+8%
The average playtime of players dropped around 20%
across Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms from 2021
to 2022. However, this is not a new low, but instead, a
re-correction to similar numbers to what we saw in the
years prior to the pandemic.
Looking at playtime distribution, the largest change is the
shift of the top bracket of hardcore players who previously
broke 1,000 hours in 2021 (on a single platform) decreasing
by 37% year-over-year in 2022. More extreme playing
engagement has mellowed to pre-pandemic levels.
In 2023, we expect to see similar levels of playtime
engagement across the major platforms.
The pandemic didn’t just affect playtime—on the
development side of the industry, many title launches
have been delayed from 2022 to at least 2023. These
delays also contributed to 2022’s decrease in playtime
and spending, especially for anticipated titles like The
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Bethesda’s IP
Starfield.
The silver lining is 2023 should be packed with top games
across many genres and on every platform.
Playtime is leveling out for PC and console platforms as lockdowns end
Post-COVID playtime numbers are dropping, returning to a familiar level as gamers play fewer titles and game less overall
2021 2022
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Last year, the top titles across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation were quite similar, with the Switch being an outlier thanks to its many platform-exclusive
titles. Fortnite made it into the top three across every platform in terms of monthly active users (MAU), while Call of Duty featured two titles in the
top 10 for three platforms. Six of the top performers on the Switch were Nintendo first-party titles.
Top 10 games by average MAU in 2022 per platform
PC
1 ROB LOX
2 Call of Duty Modern Warfare II/ Warzone 2.0
3 Fortnite
4 Minecraft
5 Apex Legends
6 Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone
7 The Sims 4
8 Overwatch 1 & 2
9 Valora nt
10 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Xbox
1 Fortnite
2 Call of Duty Modern Warfare II/ Warzone 2.0
3 Grand Theft Auto V
4 Minecraft
5 Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone
6 High on Life
7 ROB LOX
8 Apex Legends
9 Fall G uys
10 NBA 2K22
PlayStation
1 Fortnite
2 Call of Duty Modern Warfare II/ Warzone 2.0
3 Grand Theft Auto V
4 Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone
5 Apex Legends
6 NBA 2K23
7 NBA 2K22
8 God of War: Ragnarok
9 Minecraft
10 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Nintendo Switch
1 Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
2 Fortnite
3 Fall G uys
4 Mario Kart 8
5 Minecraft
6 Pokémon Legends: Arceus
7 Rocket League
8 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
9 Nintendo Switch Sports
10 Splatoon 3
Fortnite topped the MAU charts for nearly every platform in 2022
Top performers on PC and console included Fortnite and Minecraft
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers), Xbox, PS, Switch | US Only | 2022 21
22
Average MAU in 2022 – PC only
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers) | 37 Markets | 2022
RankGame PlatformsRelease Date
1 ROB LOX ROB LOX2006
2 Minecraft Minecraft2011
3 Fortnite EGS2017
4 The Sims 4 Origin, Steam, EGS2014
5 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II/Warzone 2.0 Steam, Battlenet2022
6 League of Legends Riot2009
7 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Steam2012
8 Valora nt Riot2020
9 Grand Theft Auto V Steam, EGS, Rockstar2013
10 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone Battlenet2019
11 Overwatch 1 & 2 Battlenet2016
12 Apex Legends Steam, Origin2019
13 Rocket League EGS2015
14 Fall G uys EGS2020
15 Destiny 2 Steam, EGS2017
16 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege Steam, EGS, Uplay2015
17 Cyberpunk 2077 Steam, EGS2020
18 Genshin Impact EGS, Hoyoverse2020
19 Dota 2 Steam2013
20 World of Warcraft Battlenet2004
Classic PC games outperformed newer titles in 2022
Older, free-to-play (F2P) PC titles like ROBLOX and Minecraft outclassed recent releases in terms of MAU
The PC games market is complex. It has a mix of diverse
indies and AAA juggernauts, as well as platforms like
ROBLOX pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a
platform versus a game.
The top rankings show that unique, older titles dominate
the PC market, maintaining their audiences after many
years.
Only one title launched in 2022, Call of Duty:
Modern Warfare II, reached a top spot in terms
of average MAU
Half of the titles on the top MAU list launched in
2015 or earlier
Three of these titles came out before 2010
PC is also a uniquely open market compared to how it
works in the console space. For instance, although Steam
is the dominant platform, only half of the top 20 games
are available on it. The Epic Game Store now has three of
the top 20 exclusive titles, and many other proprietary
platforms command a fair share of titles and players.
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Top games per market by YAU – PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox Audiences in the Western market demonstrated relatively
similar tastes, with similar games sharing the top spots by
YAU. Sports titles were the notable key divergence points
between these different markets. In Germany, FIFA 22
and FIFA 23 made it into the top 10, while the US showed
a stronger preference for NBA 2K22.
In Japan’s games market, the top five games by YAU were
all developed by Western companies, which is significant,
given that this market is traditionally seen as a difficult
one to succeed in for Western-developed titles. Genshin
Impact, made by Chinese company miHoYo, also made
the top ten in Japan. Across the board, companies
in China are developing games with mechanics that
appeal to audiences worldwide, but especially in Japan’s
high-spending market.
US Germany Japan
Fortnite FortniteApex Legends
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II/Warzone 2.0 Grand Theft Auto VFall G uys
Grand Theft Auto V F I FA 2 2Overwatch 1 & 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II/Warzone 2.0 Fortnite
Minecraft Fall G uysMinecraft
Fall G uys Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone Elden Ring
Apex Legends Rocket LeagueMonster Hunter World
NBA 2K22 MinecraftGrand Theft Auto V
M u lti Ve r s u s FIFA 23Genshin Impact
Rocket League Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers), Xbox, PS | US, Germany, Japan | 2022
Apex Legends is the top game in Japan by yearly active users (YAU)
Comparing rankings across various markets
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Last year, the top three genres in terms of player share
were Shooter, Adventure, and Battle Royale, with Shooter
taking a 20% share of total playtime. More than 80% of
players partook in an Adventure title, and almost 37% of
all playtime went to Shooters and Battle Royale games.
Interestingly, Adventure and Sandbox games had the
same amount of playtime, despite the former taking a
much higher player share than the latter.
This demonstrates that Sandbox players are devoted to
their titles and engage deeply with games in this genre.
Additionally, nearly half of all players played Fighting,
Platformer, or Racing games, but each genre accounts
for only 1% of playtime. These genres included large F2P
titles from 2022 that attracted new players but didn’t
retain them. Top 10 genres by player share
Player share – 2022
83%
77%74% 63%
46%44%44%
38%37% 28% Playtime share – 2022 12%
20%
17%
11%
11%
1%
1%
1% 12%
4% Adventure
Shooter
Battle Royale
Sports
Role Playing Fighting
Platformer
Racing
Sandbox
Simulation
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (Steam), Xbox, PS | 37 Markets | 2022
Shooter, Adventure, and Battle Royale games took the highest player shares
Adventure titles accounted for 83% of player share and 12% of playtime – How did other genres fare in 2022?
25
The top releases of 2022 comprised an inter-
esting mix of AAA and indie titles. However,
the largest winners in terms of initial launch
month revenue were the games that mixed
premium pricing and microtransactions,
such as NBA 2K23 and Call of Duty: Modern
Warfare II (Warzone 2.0).
The lowest performing launches took place
from May to July, but included games that
instantly became fan favorites, including
Stray. Elden Ring performed admirably at
the start of the year, though it’s essential to
note that mostly smaller launches preceded
and followed its launch in February. God of
War, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Mario
Strikers: Battle League were all able to make
this list, even though they’re all exclusive to
their platforms. Top 2022 releases in the US based on the first three months of revenue
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers), Xbox, PS | US Only | 2022
JulyAugustSeptember OctoberNovember
January
February MarchAprilMayJune
December
Games with mixed revenue models were the top releases throughout 2022
These were the top released games in the US based on their first month total revenues
26
Revenue from premium transactions
constituted just over 50% of spending on
PC games and over 60% on console titles.
Microtransactions made up over 30% of
the revenue share for both PC and console
platforms. Spending on DLC represented
the key difference between PC and
console revenues. PC payers spent nearly
twice as much on DLC in 2022 compared
to console content.
As the top-performing titles continue to
double down on new ways to monetize
and leverage the games-as-a-service
model, we expect non-premium revenue
to grow for both PC and console.
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers), Xbox, PS | US Only | 2022
In-game spending accounted for nearly 50% of PC and console revenue in the US
2022 saw an even split between premium and in-game revenue for PC and console
Full Game Download Downloadable Content Microtransaction Subscription
Share of yearly PC revenue
by category – US 2022
61%
31% 7%
Share of yearly console revenue
by category – US 2022
32% 52%
13%
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Elden Ring was one of the most lauded and well-reviewed
launches of 2022. It was the third-highest-grossing
premium title of the year and arguably, yet notably, the
only title in the premium top ten that wasn’t part of an
ongoing franchise.
However, in terms of overall revenue, the most powerful
long-standing franchises and IPs, including sports titles
like NBA 2K23 muscled their way to the top of the lists.
What’s unique to these types of titles is how they maintain
a regular cadence of new iterations sold per year, but
also their ongoing microtransaction strategies that help
these games reach the top of both premium and in-game
revenue charts.
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers), Xbox, PS | US Only | 2022
In-Game Revenue – US Top 10
1Fortnite
2 NBA 2K22
3 Apex Legends
4 ROB LOX
5 Valorant
6 Destiny 2
7 NBA 2K23
8 Grand Theft Auto V
9 League of Legends
10 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone
Premium Revenue – US Top 10
1Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II/Warzone 2.0
2 NBA 2K23
3 Elden Ring
4 God of War: Ragnarok
5 Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
6 Dying Light 2
7 Madden NFL 23
8 LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
9 Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
10 Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Sports titles topped the charts for in-game revenue
The top grossing titles in the US showed how different types of games are leveraging
premium and microtransactional business models
28
As F2P becomes more established in the market, we see a steady growth of these titles
dominating the top 20 charts by average MAU – one more in 2022 compared to 2021. PC is still a significant proving ground for new F2P games, with 12 of 20 top F2P games
in 2022 released for PC only. A lot of popular F2P games started on PC only and then
moved to consoles later, showing the efficacy of the model in terms of its scalability
beyond single platforms.
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers), Xbox, PS | 37 Markets | 2022
13 of the 20 top PC & console titles of 2022 were F2P 12 of top 20 new F2P games were only released on PC
The free-to-play (F2P) model has become more
popular for developers and publishers
More than half of the top PC and console titles of 2022 used F2P business models
7
13
Premium
Freemium
1
12
7
PC Only
PC, PS & Xbox
Xbox Only
29
In 2022, we saw an increasing number of PC and console games
transition from P2P (premium) to F2P (freemium) business
models. This transition has opened games up to wider audiences
and different monetization strategies, but it’s not been without
challenges.
On average, games that pivoted to F2P saw a 327% increase in average MAU in the first
month. However, on average only 40% of players in the F2P launch month were new
players. Returning players are essential in revitalizing a game when it becomes free-to-
p lay.
Moving to F2P models also boosted retention for many games. The average D1 retention
rate in the first month following an F2P launch hit 38%, while it was 29% three months
before the launch. Overwatch 2 successfully relaunched the Overwatch franchise with
huge player growth in its first few months. This is a great example
of a publisher resetting and changing their overall business model
to maximize revenue potential as a live-service title.
Following the example of other Epic-owned exclusives like Fortnite
and Rocket League, Fall Guys also went F2P. Epic appears to be
leveraging these giant player-driver titles as pillars to the Epic Game
Store’s growth and retention strategy.
Unlike Overwatch 2, which revamped its business model, The Sims
4 seems to have doubled down on its DLC-driven business model.
The game removed barriers-to-entry in October, going completely
free-to-play on the base game.
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers), Xbox, PS | 37 Markets | 2022
Three of the top 20 games by average MAU adopted a F2P model in 2022
More games are shifting from P2P to F2P business models—and it’s driving up revenues and sparking a larger trend
30 Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PlayStation 4 & 5 | 37 Markets | Aug 2021 – Aug 2022
Sony re-released The Last of Us in 2014 for their newest
console, and repeated the same practice in 2022 2013
The Witcher 3:
Wild Hunt Free Next-Gen Update for
PS5 & Xbox Series X
+265%
MoM MAU growth rate for
The Wither 3: Wild Hunt from
November to December 2022. 2014
2022
Event performance by MAU
Uncharted: A Thief’s End & Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves released on PS5
Uncharted (2022) Movie Released to theatres Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves released for PC
Jan/22 Feb/22 M a r/ 2 2 A p r/ 2 2M ay/2 2 Jun/22 Jul/22Aug/22 Sep/22Oct/22N ov/2 2 Dec/22
Remakes and remasters drove engagement for older IP
Creating updated versions of Uncharted, The Last of Us, The Witcher III, and other games
re-engaged player bases and monetized untapped audiences
PlayStation 4 & 5 | 37 Major Markets | Aug 2021 – Aug 2022
31
-50% discounts on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation Patch 1.5 update: additional content,
customization, drive model, fix, etc.
Patch 1.52 update for
quests and fixes
-50% discounts on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation
Edgerunners (Patch 1.6) update: content related to
Edgerunners, new weapons, new quests, etc.
Adding free official game modding tools (the Cyberpunk 2077 REDmod)
Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most controversial titles in recent
years, primary because of its unstable game experience and bugs.
However, the anime based on the franchise, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,
achieved massive success, reinvigorating interest in the game.
The anime replicated the game’s cyberpunk setting, taking place a
year before the storyline begins in the game. Released on Netflix in
September 2022, the anime ended where the game begins (in full
nostalgic fashion), which got players to purchase or redownload the
game to renew engagement with the franchise. Engraining more
anime content within the game continues to boost the popularity of
the entire franchise.
Transmedia strategies have become effective ways to boost player
engagement and Cyberpunk 2077 is just one example. The second
season of The Witcher, released in 2021, led to MAU growth of 134%,
for instance. The hope is that engaged viewers become dedicated,
long-term customers and stable revenue sources for games and
their franchises.
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | PC (all platforms/launchers), Xbox, PS | 37 Markets | Aug 2021 – Aug 2022
Note: We do not include all events here. Please check the Game Performance Monitor for all event performance in games.
Cyberpunk
2077 Cyberpunk:
Edgerunners
-33% discounts on Steam, and Xbox
Sep/21Oct/21Nov/21 Dec/21Jan/22Feb/22 M a r/ 2 2A p r/ 2 2M ay/2 2 Jun/22 Jul/22Aug/22 Sep/22
Robust transmedia strategies paid off for many games
Releasing the anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners renewed interest in the franchise significantly
Event performance by MAU – Cyberpunk 2077
PS 4 & 5 | 37 Major Markets | Sep 2021 – Sep 2022
MoM MAU growth rate
for Cyberpunk:2077
from Aug. to Sept. 2022.
+249%
32
While certain top games saw a boost in sales and engagement, as well as DAU, thanks to
strong live viewership performance, we didn’t see this performance mirrored across the
entire market. Some games underperformed in terms of DAU even as viewership rose.
Titles like Cult of the Lamb, and The Quarry have cinematic qualities, which may have led
to high viewership. These same qualities didn’t entice quite as few people to play, though.
Multiversus, on the other hand, saw its DAU rank skyrocket in its first month, but drew in
far fewer viewers compared to other top games.
Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | Twitch, Facebook Gaming | PC (Steam), Xbox, PS | 2022
Top 10 viewed 2022 titles in the first 28 days after launch
2022 GameHours Watched
(Live Streaming) Rank DAU
Rank Publisher
Elden Ring
12Bandai Namco
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 21 Activision Publishing
FIFA 23 33EA
God of War: Ragnarök 46SIE
Dying Light 2 57Techland
The Cycle: Frontier 631YA G E R
Cult of the Lamb 732Devolver Digital
Multiversus 84Warner Bros.
The Quarry 9502K
NBA 2K23 105Warner Bros.
There was a correlation between live viewership hours and DAU rankings
High viewership for top performing games can drive MAU performance and increase engagement and sales
Top viewed games on Twitch in 2022
1 Grand Theft Auto V 6Fortnite
2 League of Legends 7Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
3 Valora nt 8Dota 2
4 Minecraft 9Call of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone
5 Apex Legends 10Mobile Legends: Bang bang
Viewership is still focused on PC gaming, with 4 out of the
top 10 games viewed in 2022 being PC-only
Viewership still very much driven by esports/competitiveness-focused
games such as League of Legends, Valorant and Mobile Legends
33
10,000+
Games tracked across PC, Xbox,
PS, and Nintendo Switch
37
Global coverage with
37 markets, 8 regions
100+
Metrics including MAU, DAU,
Lifetime players, Revenue
Newzoo’s Game Performance Monitor
Unlock the leading platform for tracking the engagement
and revenue KPIs of PC and console games
Coverage of the top platforms
Playing, spending, and viewing player data.
Gamer Overlap, Retention, and Churn between titles
Tracking millions of players’ behavior per platform
Revenue, ARPU for 1000+ PC & Console games in US and UK
Steam Wishlists and Reviews
Easy-to-use dashboard & API access
33
Learn more
34
Know the Gamers
Digging into gamer demographics, personas,
and how players are playing and spending
35
*’PC and/or console’ means players can use either or both devices and may or may not play on mobile as well.
**Other gaming engagement includes those that claim to have “often” followed video gaming channels or esports
broadcasters, socialized through/visited online gaming communities, discussed video games with family and
friends, listened to gaming podcasts, and/or attended large in-person gaming conventions in the past 12 months.
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets)
Base: Total players (n=60,020), PC and/or Console players (n=42,514)
Two thirds of players play
on PC and/or console
40%
of PC and/or console* players
identify as female
47 %
of PC and/or console* players play, view, and
engage with gaming in other ways (e.g., content
creation, socializing, podcasts etc.**)
72%
of PC and/or console* players played
on at least two platforms
66%
of PC and/or console* players spent money
on video games in the past 6 months
36
PC and console gaming is attracting a more
balanced audience in terms of gender and
age. Overall, players are becoming more
varied in what drives them to engage with
games. While unpacking demographic data
is still valuable, it’s becoming essential to look
deeper into player attitudes and motivations. Nearly seven in 10 PC and console players
have played on more than one platform in the
past 6 months, with a quarter playing on all
three platforms. Cross-platform players are
an attractive cohort since they tend to lead
the way in time and money spent on playing
video games.
Cross-platform play is becoming
more prevalent
PC and console players account for two thirds
of the total player base. While historically
more male dominated, PC and console
gaming has become more gender equal, with
women and non-binary players accounting
now for over 40% of the total player base.
PC and console gaming becoming
more gender-equal
Two in three PC and/or console players
have made video-game related purchases
in the past six months. With monetization
models becoming more diverse and free-to-
play models more common, understanding
players’ motivations to spend, especially
in-game, is becoming essential. Motivations to play shift continuously and different games
fulfill different motivational needs for different players.
Approximately six in ten PC and/or console players consider
various social features (socializing, competing, cooperating)
to be important game features. This suggests that game
designers should provide features that create additional
and unique engagement opportunities for their players.
Players are reacting to new more
diverse monetization models Social play motivations
are increasing
The PC and console gaming audience is expanding and diversifying
What’s happening with the world of PC and console gamers after a tumultuous year
1
4 5
2 3 The PC and console player base is
becoming more diverse
37
Share of PC and/or console players (past 6 months)Demographics
Base: Total players Base: Total players; Total PC and/or console players
PC and/or console players account for a significant share of the total audience we survey in the
Global Gamer Study. Two-thirds of players reported having played on a PC and/or console in
the past six months. While PC & console historically has skewed toward a more male-identify –
ing audience, the market has become more equal in terms of gender representation. Women
gamers now represent 40% of the total PC and/or console player base. There are many factors
contributing to this more equitable landscape—overall, gaming has become more accepted
as a pastime and vocation, while publishers and developers are improving how female charac –
ters are represented. For instance, NBA 2K22 featured Candace Parker on the game’s cover,
marking the first time the title had a female cover athlete. Additionally, the age breakdown of
PC and/or console players is nearly identical to how the total player base looks overall.
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets)
Q. Platforms played on in the past 6 months, Gender, Age combined, Base: Total players (n=60,020), PC and/or Console players (n=42,514)
2/3 of gamers played on a PC and/or console over the past six months
Female players make up 40% of all PC and/or console players
of total players have played on a PC
and/or console in the past 6 months
66%
54% 60%
45%
40%
1%
1%
Total players
(incl. mobile) PC and/or
console players Non-binary
Female
Male
27%
27%
22%
25%
22%
22%
27%
29%
Total players
(incl. mobile) PC and/or
console players 41 – 65
31 – 40
21 – 30
10 – 20
38
Level of identifying as a gamer*Demographics
Base: Total PC and/or console players
Base: Total PC and/or console players
There are many ways to define a gamer. Behavioral indicators alone, like time and money
spent, no longer sufficiently describe this large and diverse group. So, we zoomed in on
the attitudinal and motivational differences surrounding gaming. We derived the casual,
midcore, and core gamer groups from three gamer identification statements that have
the highest correlation with gamer identity and engagement.
When we look at these groups among PC and/or console players, we find that the largest
share (40%) falls into the core group. As you would expect, this core group plays and
spends more on average, also skewing younger and more male.
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets)
Q. Level of identifying as a gamer, Time spent playing per week, Payers (past 6 months), Gender, Age combined | Base: PC and/or Console players (n=42,514), Casual (n=10,260), Midcore (n=14,781), Core (n=17,473)
4 in 10 PC and/or console gamers are core gamers
Core gamers invest more time and money into games, making them attractive to game developers and publishers
41 – 65
31 – 40
21 – 30
10 – 20
23%
24%
20% 33%
49%
51% 1%
Casual
28%
28%
22%
22%
41%
58% 1%
Midcore
33%
29%
24%
15%
33%
67% 1%
Core
Non-binary
Female
Male
Casual Gamers
Midcore Gamers Core Gamers
% share 25%35%40%
Play time/week 4.5 hr6 hr9 hr
% of payers 42%66% 82%
39
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets)
Q. Reasons for playing video games; Appealing features of games; Appealing themes or settings of games Base: PC and/or Console players (n=42,514), Casual (n=10,260), Midcore (n=14,781), Core (n=17,473)
Casual Midcore Core
Top 3 reasons
to play games
Base: Total PC and/or
console players
#1 Reaching the highest level/score 50% Completing as many of the game’s tasks/goals 67%
Spending time exploring and finding secrets in a detailed game world
84%
#2
Using tactics and strategic thinking to overcome challenges
50%
Using tactics and strategic thinking to overcome challenges
67%
Using tactics and strategic thinking to overcome challenges
83%
#3 Completing as many of the game’s tasks/goals 49%
Spending time exploring and finding secrets in a detailed game world
66% Appreciating games with an interesting design 83%
Top 3 appealing
features
Base: Total PC and/or
console players
#1 Puzzle solving aspects 32% Exploration and open worlds 31% Exploration and open worlds 32%
#2 Game theme or setting 29% Strong narrative or story 30% Multiplayer and social aspects 31%
#3 Exploration and open worlds 27% Game theme or setting 29% Strong narrative or story 30%
Top 3 appealing
setting/themes
Base: Total PC and/or
console players
#1 Fantasy 31% Fantasy 38% Fantasy 41%
#2 Survival 29% Survival 36% Survival 40%
#3 Mystery 28% Science fiction 34% Science fiction 38%
Every player segment had distinct reasons to
play, demonstrating a diversity of players
Using tactics and strategic thinking to overcome challenges was the
most consistent top reason across Casual, Midcore, and Core players
40
Being a “gamer” now means engaging
in a wider (and increasingly more
mainstream) culture of gaming,
including following streamers, social –
izing in communities, making specific
hardware choices, and more.
Since behaviors alone don’t provide
enough detail to define gamer
personas accurately, we developed
the Newzoo Gamer Segmenta –
tion™ model, which uses behaviors,
attitudes and motivations across
several dimensions to create distinct
Personas for players.
Personas reflect the identities and
behaviors of players, giving gamers
of all types a unique voice for under –
standing what they play and how
much of their time and financial
power they dedicate to gaming.
Game Fans Regular Players
The Ultimate Gamer
“Gaming is in my DNA!
There are few things I love
more. I spend my free time and money on games.”
The Popcorn Gamer
“Playing video games may not be my favorite hobby, but I definitely enjoy watching oth e r s p lay.”
The All-Round Enthusiast
“I am interested in all forms of
gaming, from playing to watching and everything in between.”
The Backseat Viewer
“I used to game a lot. Whenever I watch a big esports event and watch others playing games,
that passion is reignited.”
The Community Gamer
“If it’s game-related, I’m there! News, videos, podcasts,
forums, games—I love it all.
And I’ll never shy away from a community discussion.”
The Time Filler
“I only game when I have time to spare or at social events. Mobile games are my go-to.”
The Solo Gamer
“I love getting into a game, and I’ll buy the kit I need to get me immersed – but playing with others or watching others
play interests me less”
The Mainstream Gamer
“With so many great games and ways to get content nowadays, I don’t need to spend big to
keep games fresh – especially if they’re free!”
Game Viewers Time Fillers
There’s more than one way to understand and define gamers
Going beyond Casual, Midcore, and Core definitions to understand your ideal gaming audience
41
Newzoo’s Gamer Personas*
Base: Total PC and/or console players
Total PC and/or
console Players Casual
Midcore Core
Mainstream Gamers and Popcorn Gamers
are the most common personas among
PC and/or console players.
While Mainstream Gamers are passionate
about playing games, they don’t spend a
lot of money on the pastime. This group
mostly plays F2P games and discounted
titles, which is increasingly enabled by the
industr y itself.
Popcorn Gamers don’t devote much time
to playing games, but that doesn’t stop
them from watching lots of game video
content, live streams, or esports.
The more players veer toward Core, the
more likely they are to fall into the Game
Fans category. This grouping includes
Ultimate Gamers, who live and breathe
games across all platforms and genres
and want to own the latest and greatest
gaming hardware and equipment.
Game Fans
Regular Players
Game
Viewers
Time
Fillers
Ultimate Gamers
All-Round Enthusiasts
Community Gamers
Solo Gamers
Mainstream Gamers
Popcorn Gamers
Time Fillers
*Newzoo’s proprietary gamer segmentation wherein playing, viewing, owning, and socializing/other gaming engagement are the four main dimensions for classification.
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets)
Q. Newzoo’s Gamer Segmentation | Base: PC and/or Console players (n=42,514), Casual (n=10,260), Midcore (n=14,781), Core (n=17,473)
2%5%
47 % 5%
9%
16%
16%
1%
2%
9%
9%
18%
43%
19%
41%
37%
15%
4%
4%
7%
7%
8%
6%
29%
26% 17%
Mainstream and Popcorn Gamers are the most common gamer Personas
Core PC and/or console players are over-indexing in “Game Fans” segments
42
Approximately 75% of PC and console players are engaging in ways beyond playing
Every new generation engages with games in more varied waysGaming engagement overlap
Base: Total PC and/or console players
1Other gaming engagement includes those that claim to have “often” followed video gaming channels or esports broadcasters, socialized through/visited online gaming
communities, discussed video games with family and friends, listened to gaming podcasts, and/or attended large in-person gaming conventions in the past 12 months
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study (Global weighted average across 36 markets)
Q. Total players, Total gaming video content viewers, Those who engage with gaming beyond playing/viewing in the past 12 months (% often)
Base: PC and/or Console players (n=42,514), Gen Alpha (born 2010 or later / 10 – 12 y.o.) (n=2,692), Gen Z (born 1995 – 2009 / 13 – 27 y.o.) (n=17,248),
Millennials(born 1981 – 1994 / 28 – 41 y.o.) (n=14,186), Gen X (born 1965 – 1980 / 42 – 53 y.o.) (n=6,106), Baby Boomers (born 1946 – 1965 / 54 – 65 y.o.) (n=2,282)
While “playing” remains a core activity of
the gaming experience, the ways in which
players are engaging with games, game
worlds, and game IP continue to expand.
This is particularly true among younger
generations. For example, 52% of Gen
Alpha PC and/or console players engage
with games across all dimensions,
including playing, viewing, and other
forms such as socialization, podcasts,
in-person events.
This level and breadth of engagement
among younger cohorts of players signals
that gaming is expanding beyond just
gameplay and viewing, with the metaverse
and immersive worlds like Fortnite and
ROBLOX captivating players in a way that
transcends a simple pastime.
Total PC and/or console players Engages every way
Play & View & Other
engagement
1
Gen Alpha
Gen Z
Millennials Gen XBaby
Boomers
Play & Other
engagement
1
Play & view
Only play
52%
43%
4% 29%
24% 49%
45%
28%
9%
43
Importance of social features
in games (% top 3 box out of 7) Current involvement and future interest
in socializing within games
Base: Total PC and/or console players Source: Newzoo’s Metaverse Sentiment Study | April 2021
Base: Total PC and/or console players 14-50 years old
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets); Newzoo’s Metaverse Sentiment Study | April 2021 (Aggregate of 4 markets: U.S, UK, CN, JP)
Q. Importance of social features, Frequency socialized through / visited online gaming communities or social media groups (past 12 months); Socializing method – Getting together in
game worlds, but not while playing the main game, Socializing in game worlds in future
Base: Total PC and/or Console players (n=42,514) ; Total PC and/or console players aged 14-50 (n= 2,418)
Socializing is fast becoming an important
part of the gaming experience. Aside from
competing with other players or cooper –
ating towards a common goal, PC and/
or console players look for other types of
connection and socializing engagement.
Players are flocking to gaming commu –
nities or congregating in virtual game
worlds, with younger generations valuing
the ability to socialize and cooperate in
games more than preceding generations.
Game designers can create additional
and unique engagement opportunities by
adding social features into their games.
Socialize with
other players
Currently gets together in game worlds, not while
playing the main game* Interested in socializing
in game worlds beyond
game play in the future**
*Includes occasionally and often
**Includes Yes, definitely and Yes, probably
Complete with
other players
Cooperate towards a common goal
In the past 12 months, 1/2 of PC and/or console
players often or sometimes socialized through
or visited online gaming communities / social
media groups
Gaming is increasingly becoming a platform for connection and socializing
Social game features play an important role for PC and/or console players
62%
65%
64%
78%
55%
44
PC and/or console platform player overlap*
Base: Total PC and/or console players
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets) | Q. Platforms played on in the past 6 months
Base: PC and/or Console players (n=42,514) | *Please note, this excludes mobile-only players.
Playing on both PC and mobile is most
prevalent, and nearly one in four players
play on all three platforms.
With more AAA PC and console titles
coming to mobile, enabling cross-platform
progression, and cloud gaming expanding
and becoming more established, cross-
platform play will likely gain more
momentum in the future.
Publishers with cross-platform and cross-
progression titles give players the chance
to keep engaging with their IP across more
devices. Engagement leads to revenues
and strengthens IP, evidenced by success
stories like Fortnite and ROBLOX.
Roughly 7-in-10 PC and/or
console players have played
on more than one platform in
the past six months.
Cross-platform play becoming more common among PC and/or console players
Nearly a quarter of PC and/or console players engage with all platforms (PC, console, mobile)
14%
14%
18%
25%
6%
23%
Console Only
PC Only
Mobile / Console Mobile / PC
Console / PC
Mobile / Console / PC
45
Share of payers by number of platformsTime spent playing by number of platforms
Base: Total PC and/or console players
Base: Total PC and/or console players
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets) | Q. Payers (past 6 months), Time spent per week, Platforms played on in the past 6 months
Base: PC and/or Console players (n=42,514), Players that have played on one platform (n=11,686), Two platforms (n=19,279), Three platforms (n=11,549)
of PC and/or console players who played on all three platforms
in the past 6 months spent money on video-game related purchases
81%
Cross-play signaled an increase in playtime and spend
The proportion of payers nearly doubled from single- to triple-platform among PC and/or console players
Number of platforms played on
Average time spent
playing per week
4.18 hr
1 23
8 .18 hr11.13 hr
Number of platforms played on
% of payers
57%
1
23
64%81%
PC and/or console players who played on all three platforms
spent on average
more than 11 hours per week playing games
46
Cloud gaming may accelerate cross-platform play
PC and/or console players who tried cloud gaming services are significantly more likely to play on multiple platformsAwareness of cloud gaming Number of platforms played on
Base: Total PC and/or console players Base: Total PC and/or console players
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets) | Q. Cloud gaming awareness, Tried cloud gaming, # of platforms played on in the past 6 months
Base: PC and/or Console players (n=42,514), Current & past cloud gamers (n=8,349), Non-cloud gaming players (n=34,514)
We expect that cloud gaming will enter a
new growth stage in 2023.
Cloud gaming reduces barriers to play
for many would be gamers, including
hardware-related costs, opening cross-
platform play to a wider demographic.
We can already see this trend in full
swing. PC and/or console players who
have tried or are currently using cloud
gaming services are more likely to play on
multiple platforms, as opposed to those
who haven’t tried cloud gaming.
Yet, one of the first obstacles to this
growth will be awareness of cloud gaming
and the benefits it provides to gamers.
Among those aware:
Currently play or have
played games via cloud
gaming services before
58% 42%
Have not played games
via cloud gaming
services before
Current & past cloud gaming users Non-cloud
gaming users
47 %
20%
30%
49% 21%
33%
Unaware
Aware
1 platform
Play on:
2 platforms
3 platforms
66%
34%
47
Share of payersTop reasons to spend money on video games
Top 5 in-game items/virtual goods spent money on (P6M)
Base: Total PC and/or
console players Base: Total PC and/or console payers | Top 5 out of 13 There are many reasons why players
spend money on game-related purchases
beyond the actual game itself. Unlocking
extra and exclusive content and receiving
special offers are reportedly the most
common.
A notable 86% of PC and/or console
players have purchased in-game items/
virtual goods in the past six months.
In-game currencies, gear, and expansion
or content packs are the top three items
that players spent money on.
66%
of PC and/or console players are payers
34%
33%
28%
28%
26%
27%
26%
25%
24%
24% For a sale / special offer / good price
Unlock extra / exclusive playable content Play with friends or family
Personalize charcters or things built in-game
In-game currenciesGear
Expansion or content packs Power-ups
Playable charcters or heroes
Advance quicker / easier in the game
Two thirds of PC and/or console players spend money on video games
Sales and exclusive playable content are the top motivators for video game spending
Payers: Past 6 months players who, on average, spend money on a monthly basis on games on a PC, console, or mobile device.
Spending money includes gifts, downloadable content, subscriptions, and other micro-transactions.
Source: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets) | Q. Payers; Main reasons to spend money on video games; In-game items/virtual goods spent money on (past 6 months)
Base: PC and/or console players (n=42,514); PC and/or console payers (n=27,508)
48
*Big spenders spend €/£/$ 25 or more a monthSource: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2022 (Global weighted average across 36 markets)
Q. Money spent per month on console games (past 6 months); Money spent per month on PC games (past 6 months); Main reasons to spend money on video games; In-game items/virtual goods spent money on (past 6 months) | Base: PC and/or console players (n=42,514); Big PC and/or console spenders (n=6,787); Non-big PC and/or console payers (n=20,721)
Share of big spenders
Base: Total PC and/or console players
While motivations to spend and types of
in-game items purchased don’t differ in terms
of priority, big spenders are motivated by a
wider number of reasons and are more likely to
spend on in-game items.
17%
of PC and/or console
players are big spenders*
on either PC, console, or
both platforms.
One in five PC and/or console players are big spenders
The top motivators for big spenders remain sales, special offers, and good pricing
Top reasons to spend money
on video games Top 5 in-game items/virtual
goods spent money on (P6M)
Base: PC and/or console payers | Top 5 out of 13 Base: PC and/or console payers | Top 5 out of 13
Non-big
spenders* Big
spenders*
For a sale / special offer / good price
33% 36%
Unlock extra / exclusive
playable content
32% 35%
Play with friends or family 26% 33%
Personalize characters
or things built in-game
27% 30%
Advance quicker
/ easier in the game
25% 29%
Non-big
spenders* Big
spenders*
Expansion or content packs
23% 32%
In-game currencies 26% 31%
In-game subscriptions 22%30%
Gear 24% 30%
Power-ups 23% 28%
Big spenders vs Non-big spenders @95% confidence interval Significantly lower Significantly higher
49
75,000+
Consumers surveyed
yearly
36
Global coverage
with 36 markets
200+
Variables
Tr a c k e d
Newzoo’s Global Gamer Study
Access the most comprehensive global consumer research
covering the gaming landscape and gaming audiences.
Gaming behavior across all platforms / dimensions
Playing and vieiwng motivations & attitudes
Spending behavior and motivations
Media, lifestyle, and consumer brands consumption
Easy-to-use consumer insights dashboard access
49
Includes:
Learn more
50
Looking forward to 2023 and beyond
Newzoo’s outlook for this year in games, gamers, and the games market
51
Global PC and console gaming revenue | 2020 – 2025F
2023F – 2025F values indexed using 2022F as base number
Source: Newzoo Games Market Reports & Forecasts | January 2023
As we said before, 2022 was a corrective
year following two years of lockdown-fueled
growth, but our long-term outlook for the
games market remains positive.
We forecast strong growth for the combined
PC & console market, particularly driven by
console gaming.
2023 should bring a lot of new owners for
current generation PlayStation and Xbox
consoles, and upcoming content launches will
give them plenty of opportunities to spend on
games.
The growing install base and extra content will
also help console revenues grow in the coming
three years. PC revenue will also grow in this
period, albeit at a slower pace.
1.09 1.181.28
1.03
1.02
1.01
$40.5
Bn
$40.2
Bn $54.1
Bn
$54.5
Bn $51.8
Bn
$ 3 7. 1 Bn
2020
$0.0 Bn 0.20
$10.0 Bn 0.40
$20.0 Bn 0.60
$30.0 Bn 0.80
$40.0 Bn
1.00
$50.0 Bn
1.20
$60.0 Bn
1.40
20212023F
2022F 2024F2025F
2023 will be a strong growth year for the PC and console market
Console gaming will be an especially powerful force in the market
PC Console PC Console
52
Awareness of upcoming PC/console releases
Base: PC and/or console players aged 10-50, U.S.
Source: Newzoo Game Health Tracker (January data)
Base: Representative sample of PC and/or console gamers aged 10-50 in the United States (n=3,088)
Throughout last year, PC and console
gamers were disappointed to see many
much-awaited launches get delayed to
2023 and even later. This was a contribut –
ing factor to the market’s slowdown (and
re-correction), reducing playtime and
revenues.
However, many of the releases that would
have made an impact in 2022 may make
even bigger waves this year. Thanks to
many delays, the launch lineup for 2023
is now incredibly strong and includes
promising titles such as Resident Evil 4
and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Add to this stacked release schedule a
heightened interest in finding innovative
ways to engage with players and generate
revenue, as well as a growing desire to
expand IP into successful transmedia
outings, and we have an exciting year for
the PC & console market.
Awareness Purchase intent
Resident Evil 4 (2023)
50% 20%
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 47 % 18%
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 43% 17%
Street Fighter 6 42%15%
Final Fantasy XVI 41%14%
Hogwarts Legacy 40% 15%
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor 39%14%
Diablo IV 37%13%
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 36% 13%
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League 35%13%
Dead Island 2 33%12%
AwarenessPurchase intent
Tekken 8
33% 12%
Dead Space (2023) 32%12%
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora 32%10%
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe 31% 11%
ARK 2 26% 9%
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 26%9%
Starfield 26%9%
Horizon Call of the Mountain 23%9%
Redfall 23% 8%
Fire Emblem Engage 22%9%
Baldur’s Gate 3 22%12%
Games delayed in 2022 will make an impact in 2023
Many companies delayed their highly-anticipated titles from 2022 to this year and beyond
53
Grow in the PC and console
market with Newzoo
For companies inside and outside the games space,
we accelerate growth by providing crucial insights on
games, gamers, and the games market. The Newzoo
platform houses our four flagship products, putting
the entire games market at your fingertips.
Access in-depth game-level data, gamer research,
and market forecasts to accelerate your progress in
PC and console markets and beyond.
54
Know the Games Know the GamersKnow the Games Market
MARKET ANALYSIS & CONSULTING
G A M E S DATA GAMER RESEARCH
+ Custom gamer research, designed just for you + Consulting & analyst services
The Newzoo Platform
Access data on the entire games market and build your
own research using one seamless platform.
Get expert insights on games, gamers, and the games market,
and work with our consultants to create custom projects.
Discover games market sizing,
forecasts, and trends on a
global and local level.
Market Reports & Forecasts Game Performance Monitor
Unlock title-level engagement
and revenue data for thousands
of PC and console games.
Global Gamer Study
Explore the global gamer
audiences across all dimensions with
the largest gamer research study. Track brand health and purchase funnel data over time for
hundreds of games.
Game Health Tracker
55
Over 500 clients and 5,000 users(and counting) More than 15 years of
industry leadership A growing team of dedicated data,
research, and games market specialists
Newzoo has a mind for data, a heart for gaming, and a global footprint
We are the global leader in games, gamers, and games market data and consulting
56
Nicholas Sweeney
Head of Insights at Behaviour Interactive
I’m in a privileged position to see the great
value we get from collaborating with Newzoo
and having access to the Newzoo platform.
As we work together between data analysts,
brand managers and product managers, we can
all use the platform to complement our research
and investigations, each bringing our knowledge
and expertise to the decision–making process,
based on insightful data.
‘‘
57
Newzoo’s market scope encompasses every continent
Access game-level data to gamer research and games market forecasts
Game Performance Monitor
37 markets
Game Health Tracker
1 market
Global Gamer Study
36 markets
Games Market Reports & Forecasts
100 markets, 36 in-depth
58
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questions@newzoo.com
