Alexander Rehm’s Post

A bit of UK market data news. Fallout 4 was comfortably the UK's best-selling game in April (GSD figures), and was one of three Fallout games in the Top Ten. Overall UK game sales in April were down 7% year-on-year, but there was a lack of new releases (in 2023, we had Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Dead Island 2), so that seems like a pretty good result. There were no new games in the Top Ten for April, with PlayStation's Stellar Blade coming in at No.12. The action game was only on sale for one week when this data was counted. The console market continues to have a horrible year (GfK figures). Sales of games machines are down 30% in the UK this year. Xbox Series console sales are down just under 25%, PS5 sales are down just over 25%, and Switch sales are down 38%. Elsewhere, 530,000 accessories were sold over April, a drop of 28% over March but up 7% over April last year.

Steam games played with controllers have tripled from 5% to 15% since 2018, with Xbox controllers used most (59%), followed by PlayStation (26%) and Steam Decks (10%). Valve is enhancing controller support with updates like Big Picture and Steam Input, as well as debuting the Steam HORIPAD. Valve's 2022 launch of the Steam Deck and hints at a new controller underline their commitment to catering to diverse player preferences. Read More: https://lnkd.in/eNJKUJ4J #SteamGaming #ControllerUptick #ValveGaming #SteamInput #GamingTrends

The Nintendo Switch has far outpaced the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in shipments, nearing the title of the best-selling console of all time. And next year, a new iteration of the Switch is set to launch, positioning Nintendo for another major milestone. Nintendo’s model is unique in the console market. Unlike PlayStation and Xbox, which heavily rely on third-party publishers, most Switch sales are driven by Nintendo’s own games. This vertical integration allows Nintendo to subsidize hardware costs more effectively than their competitors, leveraging game and services revenue for long-term profitability. It’s a stark contrast to the PlayStation and Xbox model, where the ecosystem depends far more on third-party game sales and subscriptions. This leads to an important question: what drivers customers to one console or the other? Are consoles purchased for the platform’s exclusive games? Or do customers select based on price or the hardware itself, or just what they grew up with? What factors need to change before a die hard PlayStation user makes a ...Switch? 😉 Any company targeting consumers through either software products, devices or in the channel must understand how these work together. It is where the biggest opportunities of next decade will come from - both understanding the consumer decision angle and partnership angle. That’s why Canalys and Omdia are joining forces this December for the 12 Data of Christmas. Each weekday, we’ll share key research findings from our combined expertise in Media & Entertainment, Devices, and Consumer insights to decode the trends shaping the gaming industry. Steve Bailey, James McWhirter, Rob Gallagher, Runar Bjorhovde, Jack Leathem

How to play split-screen in Fortnite https://lnkd.in/gxKtDWrM Squad Up on the Couch: How to Play Split-Screen Fortnite Fortnite is even more fun with friends! Here’s how to activate split-screen mode and team up with a buddy on the same console for some battle royale action: Please note: Split-screen functionality is currently only available on PlayStation (PS4 & PS5) and Xbox (Xbox One & Xbox Series S/X) consoles. What You’ll Need: A second controller for your console. Both controllers need to be signed into separate Fortnite accounts. Activating Split-Screen: Boot Up Fortnite: Launch Fortnite and navigate to the main lobby. Power Up the Second Controller: Turn on your...

An insightful piece about the standardization of experiences across video game hardware platforms and how it might signal risk-averse, “boring” strategies. My take:  Both Xbox and PlayStation seem to be repositioning their platforms from hardware-based to software and IP-based. Years ago, if you were playing a game X on Xbox, you were an Xbox customer. Today, if you’re playing an Xbox IP on PlayStation, Switch or PC, or use Game Pass, you’re an Xbox customer. Platforms are moving from vertical to horizontal. It makes sense financially for both platforms and developers. Every developer wants to reach (and monetize) the widest audience possible, which can only be achieved through standardization and unification of platforms, technologies and dev tools. And yet, as a gamer and a tech geek, I would love platforms to be different from each other. I want PlayStation games that technically can only run on PlayStation, and the same with Xbox, Switch, and other platforms. It’s exciting when software is differentiated by hardware, and vice versa. It’s great to have a choice when options are different.

Go read the first post from MIDiA's newest analyst!

Nintendo still doesn’t officially sell its consoles in India?? With Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox enjoying a substantial market presence, Nintendo’s absence feels like a big missed opportunity—especially considering the massive gaming boom in India. 🎮 India’s gaming market is projected to reach over $5 billion by 2025, driven by mobile gaming but with growing demand for console gaming. PlayStation and Xbox have capitalized on this by offering popular titles, exclusive services and creating an ecosystem for Indian consumers. Yet, while Nintendo’s products, like the Switch, have found traction through unofficial channels, they're still priced steeply, around ₹30,000 due to import fees and lack of direct support. Official entry could mean better pricing, support, and access to beloved games, which might resonate with India’s vibrant gaming community. Nintendo's decision may stem from strict regulations, but with so much interest and other MNCs finding easy entry to India, is it time to reconsider? Or should Nintendo focus on established markets and protect its brand and resources? Thoughts?

Xbox is branching out by releasing four of its popular titles on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation platforms this spring. This strategic move enables a broader audience to access games previously exclusive to Xbox. Starting tomorrow, gamers on both PlayStation and Switch can enjoy Obsidian Entertainment's narrative-driven game Pentiment and the survival adventure Grounded. Additionally, PlayStation 5 users will soon have access to the rhythm-based action game Hi-Fi Rush next month, followed by the pirate-themed Sea of Thieves in April. This initiative signifies Xbox's approach to making their games available across different devices, supporting cross-play to ensure seamless interaction among gamers on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It aligns with the trend of making games accessible to a wider audience, following in the footsteps of other cross-platform successes like Minecraft, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Diablo. The expansion reflects the gaming industry's ongoing efforts to adapt to player preferences for multi-platform availability. As Xbox continues to enhance its console experience with upcoming titles like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, this move underscores the brand's commitment to broadening its reach and connecting with a larger segment of the gaming market. #xbox #xboxgamepass #strategicgrowth #nintendoswitch #playstation5 #sony #nintendo

How to play split-screen in Fortnite https://lnkd.in/gAZxGBxb Squad Up on the Couch: How to Play Split-Screen Fortnite Fortnite is even more fun with friends! Here’s how to activate split-screen mode and team up with a buddy on the same console for some battle royale action: Please note: Split-screen functionality is currently only available on PlayStation (PS4 & PS5) and Xbox (Xbox One & Xbox Series S/X) consoles. What You’ll Need: A second controller for your console. Both controllers need to be signed into separate Fortnite accounts. Activating Split-Screen: Boot Up Fortnite: Launch Fortnite and navigate to the main lobby. Power Up the Second Controller: Turn on your...