In 2023, despite the release of highly anticipated blockbusters like Spider-Man 2, Starfield, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, gamers continued to devote the majority of their time to older titles such as Take-Two Interactive Software Inc's (NASDAQ: TTWO) Grand Theft Auto 5 and Epic Games' Fortnite.
According to a report by video game market analyst Newzoo (via Kotaku), 66 games constituted 80% of overall playtime, with a significant 60% attributed to games released six years ago or more.
Newzoo's analysis, based on monthly active users across various markets, revealed that new releases struggled to break into the top ranks.
Only a few new titles managed to gain traction, with Fortnite emerging as the most played game across all platforms, alongside other enduring favorites like Roblox (NASDAQ: RBLX), Minecraft, and Call of Duty.
Moreover, in 2023, over half of the 23% of playtime dedicated to new games was consumed by annual sequels like Madden or NBA titles.
Merely 8% of total playtime was allocated to fresh, non-annual releases. "It will be increasingly challenging to grow a game's playerbase," said Newzoo in the report, "particularly in our current landscape, where evergreen titles and robust content pipelines reign supreme."
Breaking Through The Classics
Despite the dominance of older games, a handful of new releases achieved notable success. Diablo 4 led the pack among new titles, followed by Warner Bros. Discovery Inc's (NASDAQ: WBD) Hogwarts Legacy, Baldur's Gate 3, Elden Ring, and Starfield.
These games, although garnering comparatively lower playtime percentages, still achieved significant milestones. For instance, Diablo 4 witnessed a record-breaking launch month; Hogwarts Legacy became the best-selling game of 2023, marking a departure from the typical dominance of franchises like Call of Duty.