Research reveals: most gamers prefer single-player games

The gaming world is constantly evolving, but one classic preference remains firm: most gamers still prefer single-player experiencesaccording to new research carried out by MIDiA Research.

This surprising data comes at a time when the industry appears to be increasingly focused on multiplayer games and live service models.

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More than half of gamers prefer single player games

The research revealed that impressive 53% of gamers prefer single-player gameschallenging the common perception that the future of video games lies exclusively in online multiplayer titles.

This result is particularly interesting considering the current dominance of live service games in the market, which generate the majority of revenue through in-game purchases.

Rhys Elliott, analyst at MIDiA Research, highlights that there is a positive correlation between age and preference for single-player games. As gamers enter their 20s, their lives become busier, making it more difficult to coordinate gaming sessions with friends or commit to live service games that require regular engagement.

“For many gamers over 25, single-player games offer a more flexible and convenient experience“, explica Elliott. “They can be played at the player’s own pace, allowing for pauses and replays without the pressure of keeping up with an online community.“

The research also revealed that the live service games market is becoming increasingly saturated. With so many titles competing for gamers’ attention, it becomes extremely challenging for new games in this format to gain a substantial and loyal player base.

Are live service games “flopping”?

Interestingly, the study points out that many studios known for their successful single-player experiences were pressured to enter the live service games market, often with disastrous results. Examples include Crystal Dynamics with “Marvel’s Avengers“, BioWare da EA com “Anthem“, Platinum Games com “Babylon’s Fall” and Microsoft’s Arkane with “Redfall“.

“These failures highlight a significant opportunity cost“, observa Elliott. “While these studios invested time and resources into unsuccessful live service games, they failed to create single-player experiences that could have generated hundreds of millions in revenue and positive consumer sentiment.“

In contrast to these failures, recent single-player games have achieved notable success. Titles like “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” e “Spider-Man 2” broke sales records, while new intellectual properties like “Fire Ring” (with 25 million copies sold) and “Black Myth: Wukong” (with 20 million) proved that there is still a robust market for solo player-focused experiences.

MIDiA’s research suggests it may be time for major publishers to reconsider their strategy and reallocate more resources to single-player games. While development costs for AAA games have increased significantly — with budgets reaching hundreds of millions of dollars — live service games can be even more expensive in the long run due to ongoing operation and maintenance costs.

“For many AAA publishers developing new games, it may be time to correct course from the red ocean of live service games to the more promising blue ocean of single-player games – or at least shift more resources to solo experiences.“, advises Elliott.

Handheld consoles helped increase interest in single player titles

The research also highlights an interesting opportunity for single-player game developers: targeting the quieter periods of large live service games. Releasing a single-player game during the last few weeks of a popular live service game’s season can attract players looking for a new experience during this break.

Additionally, the study suggests that devices like the Steam Deck and PlayStation Portal may be contributing to the resurgence of interest in single-player games by offering new ways for gamers to enjoy these experiences on the go.

Ultimately, the MIDiA Research survey serves as an important reminder for the gaming industry: while multiplayer and live service games remain a dominant force in the market, there is a significant audience hungry for well-crafted single-player experiences. Companies that can balance their portfolios to serve both audiences may be better positioned for future success.