The Gaming Services industry was valued at US$33 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach US$60 billion by 2025. This industry consists of the following sectors: gaming software, game publishers, hardware manufacturers, mobile operators, social media and advertising agencies, and cloud computing providers. Most gamers access their favorite titles on consoles, PCs, smartphones, tablets, and other devices; however, some prefer PC-exclusive games.
While the global market is driven by technological innovation and consumer preferences, government regulation is also contributing to increasing the demand for this gaming services sector. Global players continue to acquire local firms to expand their reach into emerging markets while local players seek to strengthen their position locally via acquisition and consolidation. The market is segmented according to platform type, distribution channel, and geography.
Based on the platform, it is further sub-segmented into the handheld, console, PC/laptop/tablets, handheld/console, handheld/PC/laptop/tablet, and mobile. By platform, the handheld segments led the market in 2016, followed by console and mobile platforms. However, the PC/laptop/mobile segments are expected to witness significant growth owing to the increased adoption of smartphones and tablet computers.
Based on distribution channels, the market is segmented into retail, direct 2nd party, indirect 2nd party, subscription-based, prepaid, and others. The desktop, laptop, and notebook PCs segment held the largest share of the market in 2016 owing to increasing penetration across various verticals including education, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and others gaming services. Mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, are gaining popularity due to their affordability, portability, and connectivity.
According to Gartner Inc., smartphone shipments reached 1.89 billion units in 2016, representing a compound annual growth rate of 29.6 percent from 2013 to 2016. In addition, the total mobile phone subscriber base surpassed 5.9 billion worldwide in 2015, representing a growth rate of 2.2% compared to 2014. Furthermore, according to International Data Corporation (IDC), worldwide revenue from subscription-based OTT services grew from US$23.1 billion in 2016.
There are some different kinds of Gaming services:
- Virtual Reality Gaming Services
Virtual reality gaming services allow users to step into different virtual worlds. They can play against friends or strangers using multiplayer games, chat, and engage in different activities. There are various VR headsets including the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Both devices work by showing a 360-degree view of what you see around you onto a screen inside a headset.
- Augmented Reality Gaming Services
Augmented reality gaming is like virtual reality except that additional elements are added to the real world. A camera tracks where players are in the real world and overlays game characters or objects on top of them. This allows players to interact with their environment while they play.
- Mobile Games
Mobile games can be played on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. They are fun and exciting but offer little long-term value. Since they are designed to be time-consuming and addictive, many people spend hours every day playing them.
Online Gaming Services provides many features to its users. These features include:
- Payment Gateway: This feature allows players to pay their account through credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, prepaid gift cards, or PayPal.
- Game Center: This feature allows players to play games together, share game tips, invite friends and check on player stats.
- Social Networking: Players can connect with friends and rivals to play multiplayer games. They can also upload gameplay videos and post news updates.
- Chatting: Players can chat with friends and opponents in real-time while they play.
- Global Leader Board: This feature lets players track their achievements and compare themselves with others around the world.
- Tutorials: In this feature, players can learn from step-by-step instructions on game controls and techniques.
- Achievements: This feature lets players earn various badges and trophies for their performance.
Best Online Gaming Service Providers
Online gaming services are becoming popular day by day and due to the growing popularity of online gaming services, many players are now looking for the best online gaming service providers. They want to play their favorite games anywhere anytime without any restrictions. There are different factors to consider while choosing the best online gaming service provider. Below mentioned are some of the factors to consider when choosing the best online gaming services, and provider:
- Games-The first step in selecting the best online gaming services is to check whether you wish to play games or not. The type of games you choose to play should be based on preference and interest. If you are a fan of action games, then you can select the best FPS game providers. Similarly, if you love puzzle games then you can select the best puzzle game providers. Generally, there are two types of online games: single-player games and multiplayer games. Single-player games are usually used to challenge yourself. Multiplayer games are used to play with friends and family members. Due to the increasing demand for online games, there are many best online gaming service providers that offer both single and multiplayer games. This allows you to play games at your leisure.
- The payment-Another important factor to consider before opting for the best online gaming services providers is the mode of payment. It is recommended to pay through credit cards or debit cards rather than using PayPal or anonymous payments. Using PayPal or anonymous payment may result in security issues. Moreover, the best online gaming service providers often charge a fee for withdrawing funds from the bank account. Thus, always look for the fees that will be charged by the best online gaming service. Fees vary according to the mode of payment chosen by the user.
3. User Interface-You must opt for the best online gaming services which provide an intuitive interface that makes it easier for users to navigate and makes it easier to use. Make sure that the best online gaming service you choose does not require technical knowledge or advanced skills. You can opt for the best online multiplayer games if you are a beginner. Otherwise, you can select the best single-player games because they are easy to play.
