Skip directly to Accessibility Notice

Will the Corona Crisis Revolutionize Social Gaming?

29 April 2020

 

A brave new world where technology blends with human social interaction has been a common theme throughout 20th and 21st century literature and cinema. Think of Isaac Asimov’s Robot series of novels, or the cult films Blade Runner and Matrix.

Many people say that the world will not be the same after the coronavirus crisis. For sure, there will be a renewed focus on healthcare systems, companies’ supply chains and maybe even taxes. But it’s also likely that the virtual world will gain ground on the physical.

Use of online platforms has been gaining ground for some time, but the crisis has shocked people into a sudden change of habits. Confined to their homes, people are living online as never before – whether using social networks, taking conference calls or playing video games. The genie is out of the bottle and there’s no putting it back.

As discussed in VanEck’s recent publication, Video Games & Esports: The MVPs of Quarantine, demand for video games and esports is booming. Stepping up to satisfy demand, physical sports or leagues clubs that have had to suspend all events are launching their own esports leagues as an alternative. For example, Formula 1 announced at the end of March that it would launch the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix Series, featuring a number of current F1 drivers.

But is this a blip or the beginning of a turbo-charged trend? Is the upsurge in video game usage part of a big long-term upswing in usage of digital social media, accelerated by the crisis? Is this a hinge of history, a moment that accentuates the new tech revolution that commentators were already predicting?

Fundamental drivers underpinning long-term growth

For context, the video game industry has been growing at a break-neck speed, with global revenues predicted to double approximately from 2015 to 2021, (see figure 1). Note that this estimate dates from before the corona crisis and might therefore be an underestimation.

Figure 1 – Global revenues from video games (USD billion)

Global revenues from video games (USD billion)

Source: Newzoo Global Games Market Report 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Numbers for 2020 -2022 are estimates.

Many stocks in video game related companies were following in the slipstream. Currently, many are trading at high valuations. While this should not be interpreted as guarantee for sustainable future performance it could be an indication of fast earnings growth to come.

But there’s a good reason for this – that fits with the continuing need for social interaction at a time of lockdown – which shows how video games suit human nature.

Responding to human needs

Whereas the traditional view on video games has been that they are as a way for diversion for socially less skilled persons, research into psychology stresses the versatility of video games in responding to human needs1.

In fact, one could say that they cover at least three of the main elements of Maslow’s famous pyramid of needs: self-actualization, esteem and love / belonging. With regards to self-confinement due to COVID-19 one could maybe add safety to a satisfied need (see figure 2).

Figure 2 – Relating Maslow’s human needs hierarchy to video games

Relating Maslows human needs hierarchy to video games

The right infrastructure

Just as the demand for video gaming is soaring, so too the technological infrastructure has fallen into place. High-speed internet communications are becoming more broadly available across the world, even outside big cities. Beyond this, two types of technology are opening up a new frontier in gaming:

1) Cloud computing and gaming

‘Cloud gaming’ such as offered by Google Stadia has immense potential. Referring to video games where content is processed in the cloud rather than on a PC or console, it will make high-quality games available for anyone with high-speed internet. Consumers will no longer need to pay high up-front costs for consoles or games, but will pay through monthly subscription fees. It is likely that game use will soar (figure 3), following the path set by music streaming platforms like iTunes.

Figure 3 – Global cloud camping market size forecasts (USD billion)

Global cloud camping market size forecasts (USD billion)

Source: NewZoo Global Cloud Gaming Report 2020.

2) Virtual reality

Whether direct or through augmented reality, virtual reality (VR) will further reduce the need for players to sit next to each other. Anyone who has ever played a VR game knows how seemingly near the other person or object can be. This might explain why social network Facebook acquired VR pioneer Oculus in 2014 for more than USD 2bn.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the VR gaming market was USD 4bn in 2018, but is expected to reach USD 71bn by 2026. (figure 4).

Figure 4 – Global virtual reality in gaming and entertainment market size (USD billion)

Global virtual reality in gaming and entertainment market size (USD billion)

Source: Fortune Business Insights, as of 16 April 2020.

More leisure time

Turning to new technology more generally, as Artificial Intelligence and other technologies lead to more automation and increased use of robots, so it’s likely that people will have more leisure time. Even though in absolute terms the video game industry is already big (estimated revenues of USD 152 billion in 2019), it represents roughly 0.2% of GDP. But the overall share of leisure in global GDP (we will use travel and tourism as a proxy) is 10%. Assuming broadly that video gaming expands to take 2% of global GDP, the current industry’s size revenues would increase ten-fold. Do note that VanEck is not in the possession of any study or other data indicating that this number will materialize.

Figure 5 – Potential scenario for global revenues from video games (USD bn)

Potential scenario for global revenues from video games (USD bn)

Source: Statista, VanEck Analysis.

Capturing the value

So, given the expected rise of the video game industry, which companies will capture the value? In order to analyze this, let us look at the value chain. Out of the five main areas of the industry’s value chain, most value is expected to be captured by game developers / publishers and hardware manufacturers. They will do so either directly or through their role in esports.

Figure 6 – Value chain of video game industry

Value chain of video game industry

Source: VanEck.

As we can see in the chart below (figure 7), the main reasons to buy a game relate to: the hardware, the game’s price, the story, the continuation of a series and online gameplay. The last four factors are all controlled by game developers and publishers. Interestingly, intellectual property (IP) ranks last in the list, and it should be noted that much IP has been created by publishers, such as Nintendo’s Mario character.

Figure 7 – Main reason to purchase video games

Main reason to purchase video games

Source: The entertainment software association: Essential facts about the computer and video game industry 2018.

Distribution increasingly takes place digitally, again putting game developers / publishers in the best spot, alongside cloud platforms (figure 8).

Figure 8 – Distribution channels of games

Distribution channels of games

Source: The entertainment software association: Essential facts about the computer and video game industry.

Regarding esports, we see that the owners of the main leagues actually are also game developers / publishers, positioning them well to benefit from the growth (figure 9).

Figure 9 – Main esports leagues 2019 and their owners

Main esports leagues 2019 and their owners

Source: Android Authority, company websites.

Conclusion

So, if as seems likely, today’s virus crisis has triggered a change in human behaviors, then video gaming companies seem likely to play a role in providing the means for this to happen. All over the world, people are socializing digitally through video games rather than mixing face to face. At some point coronavirus will fade into the past, but its legacies will last, and one of them is likely to be a far greater acceptance of digital socializing.

1See e.g., Isabela Granic, Adam Lobel, and Rutger C. M. E. Engels, The Benefits of Playing Video Games, The American Psychologist January 2014.

Important Disclosure

This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS and to the KID before making any final investment decisions.

This information originates from VanEck (Europe) GmbH, which has been appointed as distributor of VanEck products in Europe by the Management Company VanEck Asset Management B.V., incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). VanEck (Europe) GmbH with registered address at Kreuznacher Str. 30, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany, is a financial services provider regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany (BaFin).

The information is intended only to provide general and preliminary information to investors and shall not be construed as investment, legal or tax advice VanEck (Europe) GmbH, VanEck Switzerland AG, VanEck Securities UK Limited and their associated and affiliated companies (together “VanEck”) assume no liability with regards to any investment, divestment or retention decision taken by the investor on the basis of this information. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) but not necessarily those of VanEck. Opinions are current as of the publication date and are subject to change with market conditions. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results. Information provided by third party sources is believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Brokerage or transaction fees may apply.

All performance information is based on historical data and does not predict future returns. Investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal.

No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of VanEck.

© VanEck (Europe) GmbH / VanEck Asset Management B.V.