The \u201cgames as a service\u201d term can relate not only to the hardware needed to play the game but also the game\u2019s monetization model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GaaS is a way to monetize PC games after the start of their sale, by subscription, or by supporting a free distribution model. The GaaS model includes long-term support from developers, the introduction of new content, and the retention of a paying audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike traditional video games that are bought only once, games as a service are constantly \u201calive\u201d, with an endless development cycle and new exciting seasons. Most of the GaaS revenue comes from microtransactions \u2013 payments for additional items within the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until recently, the idea of GaaS sounded too innovative, but it has already become a reality: millions of gamers use the cloud gaming services GeForce Now and Google Stadia. Analysts predict that this industry will earn at least $1.5 billion in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on a recent study<\/a> by Juniper Research, cloud gaming, despite its impressive growth, is not yet ready to seriously change the \u201crules of the game\u201d in the gaming industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three key reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In numbers, Juniper\u2019s forecast looks like this: in the period until 2023, cloud services will bring about 25% of the revenue of the subscription games market. At the same time, the subscription market itself will bring about $8 billion, while the entire gaming industry \u2013 more than $200 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Figures from a similar study by Newzoo<\/a>, a leading video game analyst company, diverge from Juniper\u2019s data by several times. According to their forecast, the cloud gaming industry will earn at least $5.14 billion by 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the main conclusion of the Newzoo researchers confirms: neither 1% nor 2.5% can in any way be called a revolution in the market. If the future belongs to cloud gaming, then in the next two years it most likely will not come \u2013 for this, cloud services will have to attract many more customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, Yves Guillemot, the head of Ubisoft, one of the largest video game companies in the world, predicted<\/a> that playing in the cloud would one day become \u201cmore reliable and convenient\u201d, and there would be no need to buy consoles and gaming computers. Such an outcome could become profitable for services like GeForce Now, Google Stadia, and Shadow. They actually rent out powerful hardware to the players, but the players still have to buy games separately, on Steam, or in another digital store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key characteristics of the GaaS distribution model are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The GaaS development cycle includes the following stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Games as a service typically have the following payment models:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now we are going to list some popular games that can serve as examples of games as a service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First released in 2017 by Epic Games, Fortnite is now one of the most successful games as a service. As of 2020, the game had reached 350 million players who had spent over 3 billion hours in the game. The game is distributed according to the F2P model. Every three months Epic Games releases new seasons of Fortnite, earning money on microtransactions. As of 2020, their revenue comprised $1.2 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n A pioneer in the GaaS area, World of Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment was first to introduce the monthly subscription model, which owes its success to the game\u2019s large and active online community. Having been on the market since 2004, the game brought its creators $8 billion as of December 2020. The number of players was last shared in 2015 and comprised 5.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n This game demonstrated the most successful use of the freemium model. Candy Crush Saga can be played for free but players can buy special actions to clear more difficult boards. King, the developer of the game, earns from these microtransactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The game was first released in 2012 as a browser game. Two years later, it counted over 93 million players, and company revenue comprised around $493 million. Five years after its release on mobile, Candy Crush Saga received over 2.7 billion downloads and became one of the most played mobile games<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GaaS Model: How It Works?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Games as a Service Payment Options<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Examples of GaaS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fortnite<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.helpshift.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/fortnite1.jpg\")
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCandy Crush Saga<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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