‘Everything’s on Fire’: The Ongoing Struggles of Game Developers in 2024

The video game industry is facing another challenging year in 2024, with developers dealing with ongoing financial pressures, a saturated marketplace, and the challenge of finding new audiences amidst well-established franchises. As indie developers like Adam Riches describe it, “everything is on fire,” underscoring the industry’s tough landscape and its continued struggle to navigate post-pandemic shifts in gaming habits.

The Strain of Competition and Fewer Opportunities

For developers, the constant struggle to get their games noticed is intensified by the sheer volume of new releases. This year alone, Steam, the main platform for PC games, has published more than 14,000 new titles, surpassing the 2023 tally. With such a crowded marketplace, even high-quality games face an uphill battle to gain traction. Adam Riches, who recently released his murder-mystery adventure Loco Motive, highlighted that while marketing and great reviews are important, the success of a game can still feel like a gamble. “You’re still flipping a coin as to whether it’s going to blow up,” he says.

Discoverability has become one of the biggest challenges for indie developers. Steam’s algorithm, which promotes games based on user behavior and curates featured games, provides some opportunities, but it also means developers are competing for limited spots alongside larger triple-A titles. Even with these hurdles, Riches remains hopeful, noting that strategic marketing and the right timing can still help indie games stand out.

Gaming Habits Shift as Established Titles Dominate

Beyond the crowded release schedules, the way players spend their gaming time is shifting. Analytics firm Newzoo reported that popular annual titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite account for 92% of gaming time, leaving a mere 8% for new releases. This trend makes it increasingly difficult for fresh titles to break into the mainstream, as players remain loyal to long-running franchises.

This pattern was evident in the failure of Sony’s online shooter Concord, which was cancelled just two weeks after its release. Its struggle was attributed to its similarity to already successful games. In contrast, successful 2024 titles like Balatro and Helldivers II managed to carve out a niche by offering something new and innovative, proving that originality is still a key factor in achieving success. However, Rhys Elliott from Midia Research points out that even innovation alone doesn’t guarantee success. “Right place, right time is a big part of gaming’s surprise successes,” he says.

Investment Woes and the Struggle for Funding

Another significant obstacle for developers is securing funding. The gaming boom during the Covid pandemic fueled a rush of investment, but as the industry’s growth slows, finding financial backing has become increasingly difficult. In response, some indie developers are turning to established studios for support. Innersloth, the publisher behind Among Us, launched Outersloth, a fund to help smaller developers bring their projects to fruition.

However, even with the backing of established companies, the speed at which the industry evolves means that success is never guaranteed. Husban Siddiqi, whose game Rogue Eclipse received support from Outersloth, expresses the pressure developers face: “It’s unforgiving… we’re trying to study as quickly as possible before some paradigm shift happens that kind of upends whatever that conventional thinking was.”

Success Stories: Manor Lords and the Pursuit of Sustainability

Despite these struggles, there are bright spots. One standout success is Manor Lords, a strategy game that has sold 4.5 million copies since its early access release in April. Co-publisher Hooded Horse credits the game’s success to its unique twist on the genre, allowing players to walk around the medieval settlements they build. This fresh approach helped generate pre-release buzz, but even with strong sales, Snow Rui, co-founder of Hooded Horse, remains cautious about repeating such success. “You cannot count on it to repeat itself year after year,” she says, emphasizing the importance of long-term sustainability in the industry.

For Snow, managing expectations and staying grounded are key to thriving in the volatile game development landscape. She advises against rapid expansion and instead advocates for a more sustainable, realistic approach to growth. This philosophy contrasts with the rush to scale quickly that many companies experienced during the pandemic-driven boom.

The Hope for Indie Innovation

For developers like Adam Riches, success doesn’t always mean blockbuster-level sales. His game Loco Motive, while not a runaway hit, benefited from a well-timed marketing push and a relatively low production cost. Even modest sales can be considered a success for smaller studios, especially in a landscape where only a fraction of new games make a significant impact.

Despite the challenges, Snow remains optimistic about the future of indie games. Development tools are becoming more accessible, allowing smaller teams with creative ideas to produce innovative games. “There’s still plenty of room for fresh and innovative ideas,” she says, looking forward to seeing what comes next in the industry.

Conclusion: Navigating a Tough Road Ahead

The gaming industry in 2024 continues to be a difficult environment for developers, with increased competition, shifting player habits, and the challenges of securing funding. However, innovation, creativity, and a focus on sustainable growth remain crucial elements for those hoping to succeed. As the industry navigates these challenges, the hope is that the door remains open for fresh ideas and that smaller studios can still carve out a place in the ever-changing gaming landscape.