MMOs approach 25% of digital games market
April 19, 2017
A study from Juniper Research has found that MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) games such as World of Warcraft, and MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games including DoTA 2, are to account for almost 25 per cent of the digital games industry this year.
The research forecasts that revenues from this genre will accelerate to $43 billion by 2021, accounting for over a third of global games industry revenues. The research cites the F2P (Free to Play) model as being the key catalyst.
MOBA Games Aid Surge in eSports
The research found that whilst MMO games continue to dominate the PC games industry, MOBA games will become a crucial driver for the eSports (competitive playing of video games) market, which will itself reach $3.5 billion by 2021.
Research author Lauren Foye explained: “MOBA games have evolved from user-made campaigns to a staple of the eSports industry, with considerable investment by games developers and publishers. Investment is driven by the fact that, in some cases, eSports viewership surpasses many popular sports.”