Research Summary
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the first-person shooter (FPS) market, focusing on the performance of new and existing titles on platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store. It also discusses the challenges faced by new releases and the potential future of the genre, particularly in relation to extraction shooters.
Key Takeaways
FPS Dominance in the Gaming Market
- Popularity of FPS Games: FPS games are the top two genres by lifetime revenue on Steam, with FPSes and Shooters generating $15.05B and $14.99B respectively. They also make up 17% of the top 99 games based on gross revenue on Steam’s Best of 2023 page.
- Performance of New Releases: Despite the popularity of the genre, new FPS releases struggle to stand out, with only six new FPS releases making it to the top lists. These new releases represent only 0.3% of the 931 FPSes released on Steam in 2023.
Challenges in Retaining Players
- Player Retention: Even successful new releases struggle to retain players long term. For instance, The Finals, despite having the highest launch CCUs of the three new releases, saw an around 80% drop in players in less than two months.
Extraction Shooters: The Future of Battle Royale?
- Performance of Extraction Shooters: Despite being heralded as the next big thing, extraction shooters have not performed well. The report cites several examples of extraction shooters that have either been shut down or failed to achieve significant success.
- Upcoming Extraction Shooters: Despite the lackluster performance of existing titles, many new extraction shooters are set to be released in the coming years. However, the report suggests that these games may be too challenging for the mass market.
Need for Genre-Mashing for FPS Success
- Genre-Mashing: The report suggests that for new FPS releases to be successful, they need to incorporate elements from other genres. It argues that slick gunplay alone is no longer enough to carry a game.
Actionable Insights
- Explore Genre-Mashing: Developers looking to break into the FPS market should consider incorporating elements from other genres into their games. This could provide a unique selling point and help their game stand out in a crowded market.
- Focus on Player Retention: Given the challenges in retaining players, developers should prioritize features and mechanics that encourage long-term engagement.
- Consider the Mass Market: While extraction shooters have been touted as the future of the genre, their complexity may be off-putting for less hardcore gamers. Developers should consider how to make these games more accessible to the mass market.
