Latest news with #MMORPGs
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Omdia: Asia's Game Subscription Market Set to Reach $9.4bn by 2029
LONDON, July 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Despite the overwhelming dominance of free-to-play (F2P) games, subscription models are experiencing steady growth across Asia's gaming landscape, and are projected to generate $9.4bn in revenue by 2029, according to a new report by Omdia. The report, "The state of game subscription in Asia", reveals that while subscriptions remain a complementary monetization strategy, they are carving out a significant niche, particularly through mobile in-app offerings and enduring PC titles. Key highlights from the research include: Total game subscription revenue in Asia and Oceania is forecast to grow from $6.5bn in 2025 to $9.4bn by 2029. This growth impressively outpaces the global average for subscription share of content spending. Driving this expansion are mobile in-app subscriptions, with revenue rising from $3.6bn in 2025 to $5.8bn by 2029 at a strong 12.7% CAGR. The resources, privileges, and exclusive content included in subscription benefits are ubiquitous in top-grossing Asian mobile games. Primarily sustained by veteran MMORPGs with loyal player bases, PC single-game subscriptions remain the second-largest category, projected to generate $1.1bn in 2026. Subscriptions are increasingly integrated with loot box mechanics and battle passes to boost player retention and spending. Hybrid subscription packages tailored to individual player behavior are increasingly popular with both players and publishers. The rate of adoption of subscription models varies across Asian countries due to diverging gamer preference and differentiation among popular game genres. Cloud gaming subscriptions have largely failed to gain traction in Asia beyond partnerships. Limited gamer demand and a lack of innovation in monetization hinder growth in this segment. "Asia's gaming market is defined by free-to-play, but subscriptions are finding a vital role," said Chenyu Cui, Senior Analyst in Omdia's Games practice. "Mobile in-app subscriptions are the undisputed growth engine, cleverly adapted to enhance retention and spending within the dominant F2P framework. The future lies in hybrid models, deeper UGC integration, and leveraging AI for personalization." The report, published in July 2025 provides a comprehensive analysis of subscription model adoption, revenue forecasts, regional trends, and publisher strategies across the Asia-Pacific gaming market. It also includes analysis of subscription implementation in leading individual titles. ABOUT OMDIA Omdia, part of Informa TechTarget, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets grounded in real conversations with industry leaders and hundreds of thousands of data points, make our market intelligence our clients' strategic advantage. From R&D to ROI, we identify the greatest opportunities and move the industry forward. View source version on Contacts Fasiha Khan: Sign in to access your portfolio
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Top 5 Video Game Genres In 2025: What's Driving Players Today
Article – Hugh Grant Open-world adventure games are for players who want to sink into a story and forget the clock. You boot it up to do 'just one quest.' Three hours later, you're still wandering because something caught your eye on the way. That's the genre's real strength … The video game industry is developing at a fast pace. Technology, player preferences, and the market are all changing so quickly that gaming developers need to adjust their products to stay relevant. Most of the core game genres are still popular, but their form revoluonizes. For example, competitive gaming is becoming increasingly intertwined with convenience and monetization strategies. And that's just one thing to mention. Let's dig deeper into the major 2025 gaming genre, what is new, what is timeless, and why monetization is a part of modern gaming. Role-Playing Games (RPGs) and MMORPGs RPGs have always been about control over your build, your decisions, and your pace. In 2025, they will continue to be one of the most central genres that players seek, more extensive than exciting gameplay. Turn-based, real-time, or somewhere in-between, modern RPGs a rich, mechanically-intensive gameplay that rewards strategy and discipline through branching storyline and long-term development. MMORPGs push that even further as they combine economy, fighting, and social interactions into day-long online environments. Final Fantasy XIV, Black Desert Online, and The Elder Scrolls Online are still developing. The offer new classes, cross-platform characteristics, and user development. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft remains the leader in the competition of legacy content and endgames. The January 2025 average viewer count on Twitch on WoW was 77.3 thousand viewers, and people spent 57.4 million hours viewing the content on Twitch. In April, the numbers went down to approximately 31,300 average viewers and 22.5 million watched hours. Nevertheless, WoW is one of the best MMORPGs. Its audience regularly increases to more than 100,000 when new updates are released. There are hundreds of streamers still broadcasting top-end stuff daily, whether it is in pushing arena rating, mythic raiding progressions, or any other top-end content. Some of them boldly advertise and sell WoW carry services regularly as a feature of their streaming program. It is a good example of how inseparable the late-game market in WoW has become from the rest of the creator economy. Battle Royale Battle Royale is still one of the most dominant genres in 2025, though it is no longer growing explosively but adapting. Fortnite and Apex Legends continue to top the charts, but the player base is shifting. New titles are trading in massive open zones for smaller, more tactical maps with faster match times. It is all about keeping the adrenaline up and the downtime low. Monetization remains a core part of the genre. Battle passes and cosmetic skins are the bread and butter. However, due to increased scrutiny around loot boxes, publishers have turned. Some games now offer 'premium' subscriptions with access to exclusive events, faster progression, and early content drops. It's less about gambling and more about upselling consistency. One of the prominent shifts is how boosting and carry services are becoming increasingly difficult for developers to ignore. With black-market boosting growing across genres, some studios are experimenting with more transparent alternatives. Among them a in-game coaching tools, mentorship systems, or premium matchmaking features that edge close to 'paid help.' It shows how competitive gaming is now tightly entangled with convenience and monetization, especially in high-pressure ranked modes. Open-World Action-Adventure In 2025, open-world doesn't just mean 'huge map with side quests.' That era's over. Now it's about worlds that feel alive, unpredictable, and worth getting lost in. Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and similar games prove players want more than objective markers. They want freedom, mystery, and stories that don't hold your hand. Modern open-worlds focus on flexibility. You run into an enemy, fight, sneak, or just go around. Dialogue choices actually change outcomes. Weather shifts NPC behavior. Combat isn't just about reflexes. It's about how well you read the situation. These games don't guide you from point A to B. They drop you in and let the world pull you in whatever direction feels natural. Open-world adventure games are for players who want to sink into a story and forget the clock. You boot it up to do 'just one quest.' Three hours later, you're still wandering because something caught your eye on the way. That's the genre's real strength in 2025. Shooter Shooters are still a major force in 2025. Modern shooters demand positioning, timing, and keeping your cool when the whole team's down and it's just you against three. Valorant, Modern Warfare III, and Overwatch 2 keep pushing the genre. However, the real headline-grabber is Counter-Strike 2. From January to March 2025, CS2 smashed records with 99.16 million hours watched on Twitch. These numbers have topped all esports titles. That's next-level hype. It is high tech in every way. With ray tracing and adaptive triggers alongside 120 FPS action, shooters in VR make you literally hide behind your couch. However, competitive majors, sweat-inducing games, contracts, millions of dollars in prize pools, and live streamers ripping up tier-3 leagues are what the scene is all about. And with all this comes a growing market for carry services. Players buy help climbing ranks, unlocking gear, or just speeding up progress. Sometimes it is outright cheating. Sometimes it is a gray market, and sometimes it 'coaches' operating openly. Skill and money have become strange teammates in 2025 shooters. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) MOBA is a genre that remains firmly popular in 2025 due to its bite-sized format. It's like football. You can jump in for 30 minutes, play a couple of matches, and bounce without a month-long grind or endless leveling. That pace fits busy people who don't want to waste hours on end. In Dota 2, players grind visible MMR — a concrete number that shows skill and directly ties to rank. League of Legends works differently. Visible ranks and LP are what players see, while the real MMR is hidden, influencing matchmaking behind the scenes but staying out of sight. On Twitch, LoL clearly leads. Early 2025 numbers show about 78 million hours watched for LoL, versus roughly 59 million for Dota 2. LoL wins with faster, more dynamic matches and shorter games. This makes it easier and more appealing to viewers. Both games have a thriving boosting market: direct rank climbing, coaching services, and carries. Getting help with climbing and learning is a huge part of the MOBA ecosystem, where skill and cash walk hand in hand. Final Say Each genre is holding strong while evolving in its own way. With smaller, more intense battles in Battle Royales, MMORPGs blending gameplay with creator-driven economies, and WoW carry streams becoming part of the daily content cycle. Open-world titles respect your time and curiosity. Shooters keep pushing tech and leaning into esports spectacle. MOBAs stay sharp and strategic. So, whatever your style, there is no better time to dive in and level up.
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Top 5 Video Game Genres In 2025: What's Driving Players Today
The video game industry is developing at a fast pace. Technology, player preferences, and the market are all changing so quickly that gaming developers need to adjust their products to stay relevant. Most of the core game genres are still popular, but their form revoluonizes. For example, competitive gaming is becoming increasingly intertwined with convenience and monetization strategies. And that's just one thing to mention. Let's dig deeper into the major 2025 gaming genre, what is new, what is timeless, and why monetization is a part of modern gaming. Role-Playing Games (RPGs) and MMORPGs RPGs have always been about control over your build, your decisions, and your pace. In 2025, they will continue to be one of the most central genres that players seek, more extensive than exciting gameplay. Turn-based, real-time, or somewhere in-between, modern RPGs a rich, mechanically-intensive gameplay that rewards strategy and discipline through branching storyline and long-term development. MMORPGs push that even further as they combine economy, fighting, and social interactions into day-long online environments. Final Fantasy XIV, Black Desert Online, and The Elder Scrolls Online are still developing. The offer new classes, cross-platform characteristics, and user development. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft remains the leader in the competition of legacy content and endgames. The January 2025 average viewer count on Twitch on WoW was 77.3 thousand viewers, and people spent 57.4 million hours viewing the content on Twitch. In April, the numbers went down to approximately 31,300 average viewers and 22.5 million watched hours. Nevertheless, WoW is one of the best MMORPGs. Its audience regularly increases to more than 100,000 when new updates are released. There are hundreds of streamers still broadcasting top-end stuff daily, whether it is in pushing arena rating, mythic raiding progressions, or any other top-end content. Some of them boldly advertise and sell WoW carry services regularly as a feature of their streaming program. It is a good example of how inseparable the late-game market in WoW has become from the rest of the creator economy. Battle Royale Battle Royale is still one of the most dominant genres in 2025, though it is no longer growing explosively but adapting. Fortnite and Apex Legends continue to top the charts, but the player base is shifting. New titles are trading in massive open zones for smaller, more tactical maps with faster match times. It is all about keeping the adrenaline up and the downtime low. Monetization remains a core part of the genre. Battle passes and cosmetic skins are the bread and butter. However, due to increased scrutiny around loot boxes, publishers have turned. Some games now offer "premium" subscriptions with access to exclusive events, faster progression, and early content drops. It's less about gambling and more about upselling consistency. One of the prominent shifts is how boosting and carry services are becoming increasingly difficult for developers to ignore. With black-market boosting growing across genres, some studios are experimenting with more transparent alternatives. Among them a in-game coaching tools, mentorship systems, or premium matchmaking features that edge close to "paid help." It shows how competitive gaming is now tightly entangled with convenience and monetization, especially in high-pressure ranked modes. Open-World Action-Adventure In 2025, open-world doesn't just mean "huge map with side quests." That era's over. Now it's about worlds that feel alive, unpredictable, and worth getting lost in. Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and similar games prove players want more than objective markers. They want freedom, mystery, and stories that don't hold your hand. Modern open-worlds focus on flexibility. You run into an enemy, fight, sneak, or just go around. Dialogue choices actually change outcomes. Weather shifts NPC behavior. Combat isn't just about reflexes. It's about how well you read the situation. These games don't guide you from point A to B. They drop you in and let the world pull you in whatever direction feels natural. Open-world adventure games are for players who want to sink into a story and forget the clock. You boot it up to do "just one quest." Three hours later, you're still wandering because something caught your eye on the way. That's the genre's real strength in 2025. Shooter Shooters are still a major force in 2025. Modern shooters demand positioning, timing, and keeping your cool when the whole team's down and it's just you against three. Valorant, Modern Warfare III, and Overwatch 2 keep pushing the genre. However, the real headline-grabber is Counter-Strike 2. From January to March 2025, CS2 smashed records with 99.16 million hours watched on Twitch. These numbers have topped all esports titles. That's next-level hype. It is high tech in every way. With ray tracing and adaptive triggers alongside 120 FPS action, shooters in VR make you literally hide behind your couch. However, competitive majors, sweat-inducing games, contracts, millions of dollars in prize pools, and live streamers ripping up tier-3 leagues are what the scene is all about. And with all this comes a growing market for carry services. Players buy help climbing ranks, unlocking gear, or just speeding up progress. Sometimes it is outright cheating. Sometimes it is a gray market, and sometimes it "coaches" operating openly. Skill and money have become strange teammates in 2025 shooters. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) MOBA is a genre that remains firmly popular in 2025 due to its bite-sized format. It's like football. You can jump in for 30 minutes, play a couple of matches, and bounce without a month-long grind or endless leveling. That pace fits busy people who don't want to waste hours on end. In Dota 2, players grind visible MMR — a concrete number that shows skill and directly ties to rank. League of Legends works differently. Visible ranks and LP are what players see, while the real MMR is hidden, influencing matchmaking behind the scenes but staying out of sight. On Twitch, LoL clearly leads. Early 2025 numbers show about 78 million hours watched for LoL, versus roughly 59 million for Dota 2. LoL wins with faster, more dynamic matches and shorter games. This makes it easier and more appealing to viewers. Both games have a thriving boosting market: direct rank climbing, coaching services, and carries. Getting help with climbing and learning is a huge part of the MOBA ecosystem, where skill and cash walk hand in hand. Final Say Each genre is holding strong while evolving in its own way. With smaller, more intense battles in Battle Royales, MMORPGs blending gameplay with creator-driven economies, and WoW carry streams becoming part of the daily content cycle. Open-world titles respect your time and curiosity. Shooters keep pushing tech and leaning into esports spectacle. MOBAs stay sharp and strategic. So, whatever your style, there is no better time to dive in and level up.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Stop Killing Games' hits 721K signatures as deadline nears for EU petition
The fight to save games from being lost forever is gaining serious support. Popular YouTuber and owner of the Accursed Farms channel, Ross Scott's "Stop Killing Games" initiative has now reached over 721,000 signatures with just a month left before the July 31 deadline. The campaign aims for gaming companies to ensure their games remain playable, even after online servers or support are discontinued. The movement had slowed down earlier this year, but thanks to YouTubers and social media influencers, it's now back in the spotlight. The number is climbing again, and the target of one million signatures doesn't look far off anymore. Why are gamers signing the petition? It all started when Ubisoft shut down online services for The Crew, making it completely unplayable. That was the final straw for many fans. The campaign is calling for a rule in the European Union: publishers must keep games in working condition, even after they stop official support. Today's the #StopKillingGames promotion day planned by the volunteers! I encourage people to make a post with that hashtag. I'm just following orders though, it's safe to label me as a boomer in regards to social media. It doesn't mean companies have to run expensive servers forever. The idea is to remove the need for constant online checks or connections once support ends, so people can still play what they paid for. It's especially important for MMORPGs and online games, which often become useless once servers go offline. Not just an 'EU Issue' The petition is part of an EU Citizens' Initiative, so only EU citizens can officially sign. But gamers from all over the world are spreading the word. A UK Parliament version is also live, aiming for 100,000 signatures to bring it to lawmakers. The time is now, let big corporations decide when to delist or make a game There's also a call for fans in other regions to take action or contact officials. Full details are available on the Stop Killing Games website, including how to help even if you can't sign directly. What's next for the campaign? The deadline is July 31, 2025. That leaves just a few weeks for more gamers to back the cause. The hope is that this push will force decision-makers in the EU to act. And if successful, it could set a powerful example for the rest of the world. The campaign is not anti-business. It simply asks for basic preservation of digital games, the same way we protect books, films, and music. Because once a game disappears, it takes part of gaming history with it.
Edinburgh Reporter
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
The Evolving Role of Gaming in Modern Life
Gaming has transformed from a niche hobby to a mainstream cultural phenomenon that shapes how millions of people relax, socialize, and even develop critical skills. Today's games aren't just entertainment-they're powerful tools that influence our cognitive abilities, social connections, and emotional wellbeing. Whether you're grinding daily quests or exploring vast open worlds, gaming has become integral to contemporary existence in ways both obvious and surprising. Photo by Mateo on Unsplash Gaming: The Ultimate Stress-Buster Let's face it-life can be an absolute nightmare sometimes. Between work deadlines, social obligations and the general chaos of existence, we all need effective ways to decompress. This is where gaming truly shines. Many hardcore gamers turn to challenging titles like Escape from Tarkov for their stress relief. The intense focus required actually helps push away real-world anxieties. If you're looking to optimize your Tarkov experience (because let's be honest, that game can be brutal), there are various resources including private cheats on infocheats for Escape from Tarkov that players discuss in forums. Gaming reduces stress through: Creating a state of flow where other concerns fade away Providing achievable goals and instant feedback Offering control in virtual environments when real life feels chaotic Delivering dopamine rewards through in-game achievements Leveling Up Your Brain: Cognitive Superpowers Oh man! The cognitive benefits of gaming are freaking awesome and backed by science. Regular gameplay has been linked to improved: Visuospatial abilities and attention to detail Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking Multi-tasking capabilities (try managing your inventory while being flanked in an FPS) Decision-making speed and accuracy Studies have found gamers have 'heightened connectivity between certain subregions in the insular cortex' and more gray matter in areas associated with cognitive processing. In other words gaming actually changes your brain-for the better! Virtual Worlds, Real Connections 'Video games have the power to connect people from all walks of life, transcending language and cultural barriers,' noted the visionary game designer Hideo Kojima. This social dimension has become even more crucial in recent years. I've personally made friends across five continents through gaming. From raiding in MMORPGs to sweating through battle royales the shared experiences create bonds that often extend beyond the game itself. Finding Your Tribe Online Gaming communities aren't just about playing together-they're about belonging. Whether it's Discord servers filled with memes, subreddits debating the latest meta, or Twitch streams where viewers become family these spaces provide real social value. Benefits of gaming communities include: Support networks that extend beyond gaming topics Opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills Exposure to diverse perspectives and cultures Collaborative problem-solving experiences Digital-Physical Balance: The Meta Challenge Finding balance is perhaps the biggest challenge for any gamer. Like anything enjoyable moderation is key to maintaining a healthy relationship with gaming. The most successful gamers I know follow these basic principles: Set clear time boundaries for gaming sessions Prioritize physical activity and face-to-face social interactions Use gaming as a reward after completing important tasks Recognize when gaming shifts from entertainment to avoidance Gaming as a Legitimate Career Path Remember when your parents said you'd never make money playing video games? Well those days are gone. The gaming industry now offers countless career opportunities beyond just being a pro player. Career paths in gaming include: Content creation (streaming, YouTube, writing) Esports (players, coaches, analysts, managers) Game development (programming, design, art, sound) Community management and marketing Gaming journalism and criticism Skills That Transfer From Games to Life What's particularly interesting is how gaming skills translate to real-world applications. The problem-solving, team coordination, and strategic thinking developed through regular play are highly valuable in many professional contexts. Research shows gaming can improve real-life skills including learning, reading, creativity and even workplace problem solving. The Future: Gaming's Next Level As VR technology improves, AI becomes more sophisticated, and cloud gaming eliminates hardware barriers, we're entering an era where gaming will become even more immersive and accessible. The line between games and other forms of entertainment, education, and social interaction will continue to blur. Gaming mechanics are already being applied to everything from fitness (exergaming) to therapy and rehabilitation programs. Conclusion: Game On Gaming isn't just entertainment-it's a powerful force shaping how we learn, socialize, and navigate modern life. Whether you're a hardcore raid leader, a casual mobile gamer or someone who plays occasionally with friends, the benefits extend far beyond the screen. As we move forward, gaming will continue evolving in ways we can barely imagine. The only constant? It's gonna remain a central part of how we connect, grow, and yes-have a damn good time. Like this: Like Related
