Gaming and eSports

The Gaming and eSports service advises video game development studios and publishers, distributors, retailers, hardware system and peripheral manufacturers, and related platform providers, brands, and advertisers on critical video game industry events and trends from a global and regional perspective. Identifying and analyzing the most popular and lucrative platforms, services, game genres, franchises, and gamer types, as well as key industry weaknesses and challenges, are the touchstones of this IDC service.


Markets and Subjects Analyzed

  • Home video game console bundle shipments, installed bases, disc/card game shipments, and monthly gamer bases
  • Casual, enthusiast/midcore, and hardcore gamer-type numbers and differences by region and platform
  • Digital game, DLC/add-on, subscription, and F2P and revenue trends
  • Console and PC gaming accessory sales trends
  • Smartphone and tablet monthly gamers and spending by OS/platform
  • Leading digital PC game publisher and distributor business model trends
  • Key gaming metrics in North America, Western Europe, Asia/Pacific, and the rest of the world, by platform
  • Video game development tool and engine analysis
  • Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gaming hardware and game/app software trends
  • eSports-related viewership bases, revenue dynamics, game publisher trends, and market segmentation
  • Cloud-streamed gaming service provider and underlying hardware assessments
  • Analysis of key industry events and conferences

Core Research

  • Home Video Game Console Hardware and Software Forecast and Market Shares by OEM
  • Digital PC Gaming Forecast
  • Consumer Technology Predictions and IDC FutureScapes
  • U.S. Gamer Demographics and Genre Preference Surveys
  • Smartphone, Tablet, and Handheld Game Console Spending Forecast
  • Mobile In-Game Advertising Revenue Forecast
  • eSports and Gameplay Content Creator Market Perspective
  • Actionable Takeaways from E3, GTC, and GDC
  • Blockchain and Web3 Market Perspective
  • U.S. PC and Console Gaming Accessory Buyer Surveys
  • Top Game Publisher Assessment by Platform
  • Cloud-Streamed Gaming Forecast

In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct research on specific topics or emerging market segments via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.


Key Questions Answered

  1. Which companies and business models will drive the most revenue through 2026?
  2. How are F2P and subscription-based business models impacting the market?
  3. Which platforms are growing the fastest from an installed base, gamer, and revenue perspective?
  4. Are esports-oriented and online multiplayer games changing how games are made, marketed, and monetized?
  5. Which PC and console OEMs are leading the market from the vantage point of regular gaming use, and why?
  6. How is next-generation console hardware affecting the market and opening up additional revenue streams?
  7. What's the opportunity for VR and AR platforms and games and related entertainment software through 2026?
  8. Is Apple, Google, Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Tencent, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Valve, Facebook, Ubisoft, or some other company best positioned for revenue growth in the next year?
  9. Which publishers are positioned to outperform in 2022, and which franchises/games are most likely to top the sales/revenue charts?
  10. What will be the long-term impact of cloud-streamed gaming?

Related Links


Meet the Experts
Lewis Ward

Research Director, Gaming and VR/AR