GVR Report cover Game Engines Market Size, Share & Trends Report

Game Engines Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Solution, Services), By Type (2D Game Engine, 3D Game Engine, Others), By Platform, By Genre, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

  • Report ID: GVR-4-68039-991-8
  • Number of Pages: 179
  • Format: Electronic (PDF)
  • Historical Range: 2017 - 2021
  • Industry: Technology

Game Engines Market Size & Trends

The global game engines market size was valued at USD 2,390.9 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% from 2023 to 2030. The market growth is due to the rising popularity of esports and online gaming globally. Esports is a rapidly growing industry with millions of players and fans worldwide. Game engines power many popular esports titles, including League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The market is driven primarily by the increasing demand for high-quality video games across mobile, PCs, and consoles. High-end game-developing software provides frameworks that empower game developers with tools and resources to create video games.

Asia Pacific Game Engines market size and growth rate, 2023 - 2030

The software is also responsible for rendering graphics, handling physics and collisions, managing game assets, and other critical game development tasks. The technology has advanced significantly, making it possible to create games with stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and realistic physics. This has led to increased demand for companies that provide development platforms from which game developers are constantly seeking to create games that can compete in the highly competitive gaming industry. The growing popularity of esports and online gaming drives market growth.

In addition to gaming, game engine platforms are increasingly being used for non-gaming applications, such as architectural visualization, training simulations, and virtual reality experiences. This trend is driven by the increasing availability of powerful platforms that can be adapted for various applications. They offer several advantages over traditional 3D modeling and animation software, including real-time rendering, interactive simulations, and support for multiple platforms.

The market is also benefiting from the growing number of game development schools and courses providing training in these technologies. As more developers become proficient in this technology, they can create more advanced and sophisticated games, driving demand for a more powerful platform for games. For instance, Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world action-adventure game that uses the RAGE engine to create a detailed and immersive 3D environment. RAGE offers advanced features for creating large, open-world environments as well as realistic physics and animations.

Augmented and virtual reality technologies have revolutionized how people interact with digital content, including video games. The market has embraced these technologies and integrated AR and VR capabilities into game engines, allowing developers to create immersive user experiences. AR technology overlays digital information in the real world, while VR technology creates a fully immersive virtual environment. Both technologies require sophisticated platforms to create and render digital content, making them essential market components.

AR and VR technologies are transforming the gaming industry, providing users with an immersive experience that was once only possible in science fiction media. With AR, players can use their smartphones or wearable devices to interact with the game world more naturally. For example, players can use their phone’s camera to capture real-world images, and can then use those images to create an AR experience. Pokemon Go is a mobile game that uses AR technology to allow players to capture virtual Pokemon creatures in the real world.

The game engine makes use of the camera and GPS of the player’s smartphone to overlay virtual Pokemon onto the real world, creating a unique and engaging gaming experience. Beat Saber is a VR game that takes advantage of the Unity game engine to create a rhythmic, lightsaber-based gameplay experience. The engine is used to create 3D environments and physics-based interactions that players experience in the game.

Platform developers are trying to create user-friendly and accessible engines that game developers of all skill levels can use. This includes providing comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and user-friendly interfaces. Companies constantly integrate new technologies, such as machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, cloud-based services, and blockchain technology, to stay ahead of the curve. Developers are increasingly looking for game engines that allow cross-platform development.

Companies are responding to this demand by providing tools and features to allow developers to create games deployed across multiple platforms. They are increasingly relying on community feedback to improve their engines, which includes providing forums, user groups, and other resources for developers to share their feedback. Companies provide tools and features that allow game developers to collaborate in real time, such as cloud-based development environments and real-time collaboration tools that make it easier for teams to work together and streamline the development process.

Developers are looking for engines targeting multiple platforms, such as PC, console, and mobile, to maximize their audience reach. Increasingly, developers are adopting cloud-based engines to enable real-time collaboration and streamlined workflows. These engines provide a centralized platform for team members to work together, thus improving productivity and reducing development time. Some developers are exploring engines that offer blockchain integration, thus allowing for the creation of decentralized games with blockchain-based economies.

Component Insights

The solution segment accounted for the largest market share of 70.8% in 2022. This is due to the soaring popularity of multi-user game applications in competitive gaming tournaments such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championships, eSports World Convention, Evolution Championship Series, and more. The market has advanced in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality gaming experiences across multiple platforms, including mobile, PC, and consoles.

The segment growth is attributed to the growing complexity of game development. Game developers are constantly seeking new ways to improve game quality and create more engaging and immersive experiences for players. This has led to the development of tools and platforms that provide features such as 3D graphics, physics, simulations, artificial intelligence, and networking capabilities. The growth is also increasing due to the availability of open-source engines, as they are often free or available at a low cost, and provide developers with a range of features and tools to create high-quality games.

The services segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR of 19.4% over the forecast period, owing to their role in enabling developers to emphasize product engagement and foster AR experience traction. Game engines are complex software systems that require specialized knowledge and technical expertise to implement, customize and maintain. As a result, companies often offer a range of services to support their customers, such as training, technical support, consulting, and custom development.

These services can help game developers and publishers to save time and money by outsourcing specific tasks, such as engine integration or content creation, to experienced professionals. Additionally, the services provided by the companies help developers learn how to use the engine effectively and efficiently, leading to higher-quality games and faster development cycles.

Type Insights

The 3D game engine segment accounted for the highest market share of over 77% in 2022, owing to the high visual quality, asset store management, intriguing gameplay, and intuitive design. The segment share has grown due to the increasing demand for high quality, immersive gaming experiences. With the rise of virtual reality and augmented reality, game developers are looking for powerful tools to create iummersive and realistic environments that can fully engage players.

These technologies require sophisticated 3D engines that can render complex environments and interactions in real-time, which has led to the development of specialized 3D engines for VR and AR. Additionally, the meteoric growth of the esports industry has also contributed to the advancement of 3D game engines, as competitive gaming requires high-performance engines that can handle complex game mechanics and provide a smooth and consistent gaming experience.

The other game engines segment includes 4D and 5D game engines, among others. This segment is anticipated to expand with the highest CAGR during the projection period, due to the trend of gamers demanding modern video games with significantly more immersion than regular 3D video games. There are various platforms other than 2D and 3D, such as mobile engines, cross-platform engines, HTML5 engines, Serious Engine, etc.

The game engines market is diverse and continues to evolve rapidly, driven by the changing needs and preferences of game developers, publishers, and players. Such engines require powerful hardware to support the addition of extra dimensions. Moreover, the segment is expected to expand at the fastest rate, as 4D and 5D game engines are predicted to massively help in delivering the next generation of video games.

Genre Insights

The action and adventure games segment recorded the highest market share of around 21% in 2022. The action and adventure game genre is rapidly expanding due to the popularity of open-world games. These games allow players to explore vast virtual environments and interact with various characters and objects. The popularity of open-world games has been driven by the increasing power of gaming consoles and computers which can handle complex graphics and physics required for these games.

The growth of mobile gaming has also contributed to the popularity of the action and adventure genre. Many mobile games in this genre are designed to be played in short bursts, making them perfect for on-the-go gaming. On the other hand, the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre segment is predicted to expand at a substantial CAGR of 18.9% from 2023 to 2030.

The increasing popularity of esports globally is the main reason for the robust growth of this segment. MOBA games such as League of Legends and Dota 2 have been major contributors to the development and popularity of the esports industry. Large tournaments and professional leagues draw huge crowds and offer substantial prize pools. This has created a competitive gaming scene that is consistently attracting casual and professional gamers from around the world.

Platform Insights

The mobile segment recorded the highest market revenue share of over 42% in 2022 and is also expected to expand at the highest CAGR from 2023 to 2030. For gaming on systems like iOS and Android, it is important to have a platform that is optimized for performance and can run smoothly on a wide range of devices, as they come in many different shapes, sizes and hardware configurations. Thus, a lightweight, efficient platform is essential to ensure a good user experience for everyone.

Global Game Engines market share and size, 2022

Several platforms have emerged in recent years to address the needs of mobile game developers, including Unity, Unreal Engine, Cocos2D, Corona, and Marmalade. These engines offer a range of features and tools to help developers create high-quality mobile games, including 2D and 3D graphics, physics engines, animation tools, and sound & music creation tools. In addition to the game engine, the mobile game platform market has also seen the rising popularity of application stores and other distribution platforms, such as the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore.

The gaming console platform segment is predicted to expand at a growth rate of 17.6% from 2023 to 2030, mainly due to reliable software quality and easy-to-use features. Console game platforms such as PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo require engines that deliver high quality graphics and performance and support for advanced features like multiplayer gaming, virtual reality, and streaming.

Several game engines have emerged in recent years to address the needs of console game developers, including Unity, Unreal Engine, CryEngine, and Frostbite. These engines offer various features and tools to help developers create high-quality console games, including advanced 3D graphics, physics engines, animation tools, and multiplayer networking capabilities, among others.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific accounted for the highest market share of over 36% in 2022 in the market, aided by the substantial trend of playing & creating video games and the high penetration of mobile platforms in the region, which has provided promising growth opportunities to market players. The increasing smartphone penetration and business expansion strategies of game development companies such as Nintendo, Tencent Holdings, Sony Interactive Entertainment, SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD., and NetEase, Inc. contribute to the market growth in the Asia Pacific region.

Game Engines Market Trends, by Region, 2023 - 2030

For instance, in August 2022, NetEase, Inc. acquired Quantic Dream S.A., a leading independent video game developer from France. The aim of the acquisition is to provide a high-quality AAA video game experience to players globally. Asia is home to over 1.5 billion gamers. This number is expected to rise rapidly, creating growth opportunities for developers, marketers, and players. Macroeconomic trends, including growing disposable income, infrastructure improvements, and investments by multinational gaming companies in the region, are further responsible for the growth of the Asia Pacific market.

The Middle East and Africa region is anticipated to record a significant CAGR of around 18.3% from 2023 to 2030. This is attributed to the region's rapid demand for modern video games for PCs, consoles, and mobile phones. In addition, American, European, and Chinese game publishers are continuously making efforts to introduce new games and expand their presence in the region.

Moreover, a number of governments in the region, including Jordan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, are supporting the creation of mobile games tailored to local culture and language. This factor will further contribute to the regional market growth. Around 60% of the population in Africa and half of the population in the Middle East are under the age of 25 years, with games becoming an essential part of their entertainment. This creates lucrative growth opportunities for the market in the region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players in the market for game engines are rapidly evolving by heavily investing in research and development activities to improve their engines and add new features. These companies are constantly releasing updates and new versions of their engines to keep up with the changing needs of the gaming industry. Many players are collaborating with other companies to expand their reach and offer more comprehensive solutions. For example, Unity Software Inc. has partnerships with major tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft.

On the other hand, Epic Games has partnered with automotive companies like Audi and Porsche to bring real-time graphics to the automotive industry. In March, 2023, Scirra Ltd. (Construct 3) launched Construct Animate (out of beta), which is a browser-based animation tool that helps developers set up sequences of movement over time in the Timeline Bar and export the animation as video or GIF.Some of the key players in the global game engines market include:

  • Buildbox

  • Clickteam

  • Cocos

  • Crytek GmbH

  • GameSalad

  • Marmalade Technologies Ltd.

  • Phaser (Photon Storm Ltd.)

  • RPG Maker

  • Scirra Ltd. (Construct 3)

  • Stencyl LLC

  • Stride

  • The Game Creators Ltd. (AppGameKit)

  • Unity Software Inc.

  • Unreal Engine (Epic Games)

  • YoYo Games Ltd. (GameMaker Studio 2)

Game Engines Market Report Scope

Report Attribute

Details

The market size value in 2023

USD 2,688.8 million

The revenue forecast in 2030

USD 8,261.6 million

Growth rate

CAGR of 17.4% from 2023 to 2030

The base year for estimation

2022

Historical data

2017 - 2021

Forecast period

2023 - 2030

Report updated

June 2023

Quantitative units

Revenue in USD million, and CAGR from 2023 to 2030

Report Coverage

Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends

Segments Covered

Component, type, platform, genre, region

Regional scope

North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa

Country scope

U.S.; Canada; Germany; UK; France; Italy; Spain; China; Japan; India; South Korea; Brazil; Mexico; UAE; South Africa; Saudi Arabia

Key companies profiled

Buildbox; Clickteam; Cocos; Crytek GmbH; GameSalad; Marmalade Technologies Ltd.; Phaser (Photon Storm Ltd.); RPG Maker; Scirra Ltd. (Construct 3); Stencyl LLC; Stride; The Game Creators Ltd. (AppGameKit); Unity Software Inc.; Unreal Engine (Epic Games); YoYo Games Ltd. (GameMaker Studio 2)

Customization scope

Free report customization (equivalent to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope.

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Global Game Engines Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and analyzes the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global game engines market report based on component, type, platform, genre, and region:

  • Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

    • Solution

    • Services

  • Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

    • 2D Game Engines

    • 3D Game Engines

    • Others

  • Platform Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

    • Mobile

    • Console

    • Computer

    • Others

  • Genre Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

    • Action & Adventure

    • Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)

    • Real-time Strategy (RTS)

    • Role-playing Games (RPG, ARPG, CRPG, MMORPG, TRPG, etc.)

    • Sandbox

    • Shooter (FPS & TPS)

    • Simulation and Sports

    • Others (Puzzle Games, Survival & Horror Games, etc.)

  • Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

    • North America

      • U.S.

      • Canada

    • Europe

      • Germany

      • UK

      • France

      • Italy

      • Spain

    • Asia Pacific

      • China

      • Japan

      • India

      • South Korea

    • Latin America

      • Brazil

      • Mexico

    • Middle East and Africa

      • UAE

      • Saudi Arabia

      • South Africa

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