There are 3.32 billion active gamers globally. There were 8.1 billion people globally as of 2023, so it’s not far off being half of the global population that actively plays games. But which genre is everyone going crazy for? Is there one that’s leading the race? Read on to find out.
First-Person Shooter Games
First-person shooters will always be the most popular. And they’re not popular necessarily because of their storyline; they’re popular because of the multiplayer online features. Based on industry analysts’ data, shooters account for roughly 14.1% of PC gaming revenues, with an expected increase rate of 4.9% p.a. And Call of Duty (arguably the most popular) has 250 million active players, the highest of all console games.
The success stories from this genre include Valorant, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and the already mentioned Call of Duty series, but it’s so massive we had to say it twice. These titles offer players a mix of strategic team-oriented gameplay, fast-paced action, and competitive multiplayer modes. And like we say, it’s the competitive multiplayer mode that everyone’s interested in.
There will always be a new shooter game on release or waiting to be released.
Survival Games
Survival games are another category that’ll always be incredible. Some of the best survival games were developed years ago and are still played by millions, like Minecraft. Minecraft still has over 166 million active players.
This gaming genre involves surviving, thinking, and being adaptable, with titles like Minecraft and Rust in the lead, by far.
Minecraft is a sprawling, ever-changing world where players can construct, roam, and stay alive. If you haven’t tried playing Minecraft before, you should – you definitely do get lost in the world! Likewise, Rust is similar, where players do their best with base construction to create an intense survival experience.
Both are pretty easy to play, and you can download them online.
Adventure Games
Adventure games have become favorites, especially with console gamers. It’s known for its deep storylines, exploration, and puzzle-solving, which provide great immersion and engagement for players. In 2023, adventure games accounted for 17.1% of console revenues, with a projected growth rate pegged at around 6.9%.
Experience from games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and God of War Ragnarök are some of the most popular. All of them are incredible games with even better gameplay. Adventure games are an easy game to play; you don’t need to do too much thinking.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
Role-playing games (RPGs) remain a cornerstone of the gaming industry with narrative engagement and complex character development. Some 23% of mobile gaming revenues came from RPGs, and they are still big players on PCs and consoles. It’s their ability to transport players into imaginatively constructed worlds where they can carve out their destinies that makes the genre so appealing. You really can lose yourself in an RPG.
Examples of incredible titles include The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Final Fantasy XV, and Skyrim – Skyrim is a throwback! These games have endless realms with storylines entangled; you can spend hours wandering around the same one. We also love it when an RPG includes a bit of action. There’s a Japanese RPG, also known as JRPG, characterized by turn-based combat and long-winding tales. And if you didn’t know it already, the Japanese are crazy about gaming: they know how to create incredible games.
What’s your favorite genre? We know the title says which is performing the best, and it’s definitely shooters, but it wouldn’t be right to forget to talk about the other genres. All genres are performing well in their own right.