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The GameDiscoverCo newsletter offers in-depth analysis and data on the dynamics of discovering and buying video games in the modern market. It covers topics such as sales data, marketing strategies, platform updates, and industry trends, with a focus on how developers can navigate the evolving landscape of PC and console gaming.

Video Game Marketing Game Development Insights Industry Trends Sales Data & Analytics Gaming Platforms & Services Game Genre Analysis Consumer Behavior Digital Distribution Game Discovery Strategies Financial Analysis of Gaming

The hottest Substack posts of The GameDiscoverCo newsletter

And their main takeaways

Is the latest game subscription 'moral panic' justified?

373 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Subscriptions Market Trends Game Development Digital Platforms
  1. There is debate about whether the 'moral panic' around the latest game subscription services is justified.
  2. Subscription services like Game Pass are seen as gatekeeping and may impact the creation of creative first-party games.
  3. The market for games is evolving, with a mix of direct-to-market games, subscription services, and the importance of gamers owning their catalogs.

What Palworld's success tells us about 2024's game biz

314 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Market Analysis Game Development eBooks Industry Trends
  1. Palworld's success shows that players enjoy familiar game mechanics with a touch of novelty on top.
  2. Palworld's unique gameplay loop and intricate mechanics contribute to its success in the gaming market.
  3. Understanding the creator's vision and the development process of a game like Palworld can provide insights into its success.

Just how big have PC & console game catalogs got?

353 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming News Discovery
  1. The choice of visual media has exploded, including on-demand watching and streaming platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
  2. The cumulative choice of PC and console games has significantly increased, leading to different market dynamics.
  3. Console platforms like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox have seen a rise in the number of games added each year, impacting game competition and sales.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Which countries played PC and console games... recently?

176 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Streaming platforms
  1. Research showed which countries had the most players of PC and console games in the last two weeks, with China, the U.S., and some European countries standing out.
  2. The most streamed games in January included Palworld, Escape From Tarkov, and new releases like Enshrouded and Tekken 8.
  3. Recent game platform and discovery news included updates on Nintendo Switch sales, Steam iconography changes, and Roblox's revenue growth in 2023.

PC game discovery in China: how does it work?

196 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Social media Market Trends Game Development Influencer Marketing
  1. In China, PC games are discovered through popular themes and genres like prison break planning and Wuxia-style RPGs.
  2. Key Chinese services for game discovery include platforms like Bilibili and Douyin, similar to YouTube and TikTok.
  3. Game developers can boost player engagement by giving away in-game cosmetics through personalized codes.

Steam Deck: everything you were afraid to ask!

294 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Gaming
  1. Number of Steam Deck units shipped is estimated to be between 3 and 4 million
  2. Most Steam Deck owners predominantly play their device at home, with some using cloud gaming services
  3. Steam Deck user base is diverse, including owners of PC, Switch, and other gaming platforms

Who's top of Steam Next Fest for October 2023?

255 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Games Indie games Game Development Acquisitions
  1. The top games at Steam Next Fest for October 2023 were a diverse mix of genres and styles, with a focus on deep building and crafting mechanics.
  2. There is a discussion about the existence of an 'indie games bubble,' highlighting challenges in funding new games and market saturation.
  3. Game discovery news includes updates on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Sony testing PC trophies for PSN, and Epic Games Store's new features.

Why do some great PC/console games fail to 'go big'?

294 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Data Analysis Tech news Game Development Digital Platforms
  1. Some great PC/console games may struggle to become popular despite positive ratings and marketing efforts.
  2. The genre of a game, such as 'Metroidvania', can impact its success due to market saturation and competition from existing popular titles.
  3. Publishers should focus on understanding player behavior, adapting marketing strategies, and fostering organic excitement to improve game reach and success.

Who's top of Steam Next Fest for June 2023?

314 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Platforms Virtual reality Mobile Gaming
  1. Steam's June Next Fest featured around 1,000 PC game demos with various top performers in different categories.
  2. Important points were highlighted in the ongoing FTC vs. Microsoft case, including PlayStation's role in Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda and Activision's revenue split tactics.
  3. Recent game platform and discovery news include Meta's VR subscription service, Nike's collaboration with Fortnite, and insights on Chinese game approvals.

Which PC genres convert pre-launch interest the best?

294 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Cloud Hardware Market Streaming
  1. Consider that the best-converting PC genre tag is 'Escape Room', but creating these games may pose challenges like online co-op mechanics.
  2. While 'Sports' is another well-converting genre, success in niche games might not guarantee significant financial results.
  3. Cloud gaming competition concerns arise as Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is cleared by the EU, with conditions, amid regulatory scrutiny.

One step beyond: how game contracts could evolve

294 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Contracts Marketing Industry News
  1. Game development contracts have evolved over the years, shifting towards a structure that allows developers to recoup a percentage of revenue from the first dollar grossed.
  2. Successful game marketing strategies include emphasizing unique gameplay features, clarifying the game's genre, and leveraging multiple channels like social media and newsletters.
  3. Engaging directly with the audience through newsletters and social media can significantly boost interest and wishlist numbers for upcoming games.

Why games get big post-release discovery boosts

235 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Influencers Mobile games Digital Platforms
  1. Games can experience surges in popularity post-release due to factors like multiplayer additions and influencer attention.
  2. Steam wishlist conversion rates may vary slightly based on the age of the wishlist, but older wishlists still have good potential for conversion.
  3. Different strategies, such as launching at 1.0, adding multiplayer features, or aiming for viral multiplayer success, can lead to post-release boosts in game discovery.