f you didn’t already know, video gaming is a massive global industry. The past few years have seen the popularity of gaming skyrocket with gamers all over the world, resulting in 2021 market revenues of $180.3 billion and a captive global audience of 3 billion players.
Taking the place of traditional forms of entertainment such as television, music streaming and even movies, consumers simply can’t get enough of playing games – whether that’s on their smartphones during the daily commute, or with the latest, next-generation gaming consoles.
And, as if gaming weren’t already big enough, developments in 2022 will ensure the industry becomes a major player in the global entertainment industry.
Netflix Gaming in 2022
You may have heard of cloud gaming being the gaming world’s equivalent of Netflix. Well, it seems like the entertainment giant wants a direct piece of the action.
Easily the most preeminent streaming service in the world for movies, comedy specials and TV content, Netlfix is now dipping its toes in mobile gaming after releasing three new mobile gaming apps for both Android and iOS:
- This Is A True Story – an educational RPG that centers the daily struggles of Sub-Saharan African women
- Shatter Remastered – a reboot of the 2009 PS3 classic
- Into The Dead 2: Unleashed – a first-person-shooter/runner mash-up set during a zombie apocalypse.
Back in July 2021, the production company made its intentions clear when it hired former EA and Facebook executive Mike Verdu to head up its newly created game development department. Even as far back as 2019, Netlfix held long-standing ambitions to get involved with game production, citing Epic Game’s battle royale extravaganza Fortnite as its main competition.
Additionally, six months ago, the company acquired the Night School gaming studio, with the goal to “build an ecosystem of games” that would help retain consumers in the battle for their viewership.
iGaming’s US and Virtual Expansion
On the iGaming front it seems 2022 will not just bring further expansion across US territories, it may also be the year of casino gaming in the Metaverse.
Although iGaming has been legal in several US states since 2013, it only started to take off properly at the end of the last decade. There’s also talk throughout the industry of iGaming’s expansion into the Metaverse. The metaverse, in simple terms, is a virtual pace in which people can do the things they would typically do in everyday life. This includes things like working, playing games, shopping, socializing etc. In some ways, it works like many in-game environments do — although on a much larger scale.
Proponents for the metaverse define it as a more sophisticated version of the mobile internet that will be populated by a broad range of connected devices. And, as far as gaming goes, it’s set to offer entirely new levels of immersion and interaction with other gamers and the gaming environment. The impact this could have on iGaming would typically play out across game selection and the experience of playing, as well as things like versatile payment methods. Creating premium gaming experiences is a top priority. Online casino operators already invest significant resources in ensuring that slots games, such as the popular title Fishin’ Frenzy are packed with relevant features. Integrating such titles into the metaverse would open up new opportunities for in-game engagement.
Gaming’s Growth in International Markets
Another key area that will propel the gaming industry to all-star status when it comes to home entertainment is further expansion across developing, international markets.
Mobile gaming, for example, is already proving to be a boon for both the longevity of gaming entertainment in India and the country’s economic profile. In 2022, organisations in Africa are collaborating to ensure a more cohesive gaming market, which aims to unify the disparate gaming hubs that presently exist.
Ten game development studios have joined forces to establish the Pan African Gaming Group, namely:
- Afrocomix
- Digital Mania
- DopeApps
- Gara
- Kaygo Games
- Kiro’o Games
- Leti Arts
- Qene Games
- Sea Monster
- Usiku Games
According to TechCrunch, the opportunities generated by the initiative could well be substantial. Approcimaslye 303 million people in sub-Saharan Africa utilise mobile internet – a number that’s set to reach 474 million in 3 years, creating an even bigger gaming market in the continent.
