The games industry's future is a hotly debated topic, and it's time to dive into this crucial conversation. With sales skyrocketing during the COVID pandemic, the industry's growth has since leveled off, leaving many wondering if this is a temporary dip or a sign of maturity.
In this special feature, we present two thought-provoking essays from industry leaders, offering opposing viewpoints on the industry's trajectory. One essay argues that we're in a cyclical phase, and growth is on the horizon, while the other suggests we're entering a post-growth era.
Chris Petrovic, chief business officer and board chairman at FunPlus, a developer and publisher with studios across Europe and Asia, believes the industry will continue to grow, but from different regions and with evolving business models. He highlights how the industry has always been cyclical, with peaks and valleys driven by technological advancements, business model shifts, and changing consumer preferences.
Petrovic points out that commercial success is increasingly coming from emerging game development hubs like China, Turkey, and Vietnam, as opposed to the traditional powerhouses like the US and Europe. He emphasizes that as the industry reaches more global users, success will follow, and the question is how to capitalize on this diverse growth.
On the other hand, Dr. Pejman Mirza-Babaei, dean of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Ontario Tech University and author of 'The Game Designer's Playbook', suggests that the industry might be entering a mature phase where the old growth-centric model no longer applies. He argues that societies cannot rely on endless expansion and that constant growth often comes at a cost to societal well-being and the environment.
Mirza-Babaei proposes that game development has unique advantages in a mature or post-growth economy, relying more on creativity and community-driven innovation rather than physical resources. He believes that success should be measured not just by profit, but also by worker well-being, creative impact, fair labor practices, and ecological responsibility.
So, which path will the games industry take? Will it return to its growth trajectory, or has it reached a natural plateau? And if so, how can we redefine success in a post-growth world? These are the questions that will shape the future of the industry, and we invite you to join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments.
