Channels with Peter Kafka cover image

Channels with Peter Kafka

Matthew Ball: Why the games business is broken

Feb 19, 2025
Matthew Ball, an investor and analyst specializing in the video game industry, dives into the surprising downturn currently plaguing gaming, dispelling myths of relentless growth. He discusses how changing consumer habits, especially the popularity of short-form content, have led to decreased engagement in traditional gaming. The conversation also highlights obstacles in mobile gaming post-Apple’s privacy shifts and the complexities of augmented reality's role in the future of entertainment—raising questions about compelling use cases needed for AR adoption.
38:03

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The gaming industry, once thought invulnerable to market shifts, is now facing stagnation and losing ground to competing entertainment forms like social media.
  • Despite a decline in financing for gaming startups, emerging technologies such as augmented and virtual reality present potential avenues for future innovation and growth.

Deep dives

Stagnation in the Gaming Industry

The gaming industry, after years of consistent growth, has recently experienced a troubling stagnation that defies previous trends. Analysts note that the industry, which previously grew by about 10% annually for over a decade, has faced several years of decline or stagnation. This unexpected turn raises questions about the factors contributing to the industry's slump, especially since gaming was initially thought to be a dominant competitor against other entertainment forms like movies. The decline suggests that, rather than continuing to capture market share from traditional media, gaming may now be losing ground and facing significant challenges in retaining its player base.

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