Live-Service Games Have Reached Their Peak, but Roblox Continues to Thrive

According to Boston Consulting Group, the popularity of live-service titles has either stabilized or is declining. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, the company noted that many games in this genre have reached their peak, with the exception of Roblox, which continues to experience growth. Despite this trend, free-to-play service-based titles such as Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Valorant still maintain large player bases. The company also observed that while Roblox is growing, other titles like Fortnite are placing greater emphasis on their own user-generated content platforms. BCG partner Giorgo Paizanis stated, 'For several years, the narrative in the industry has been that live-service games are all-consuming, with 50% of millennials preferring this type of game.' However, this has resulted in significant investment in live-service games that have ultimately failed. The company has noticed that some of the largest live-service games, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty, have reached a plateau and are now declining. In response, Fortnite has shifted its focus towards its creator economy, with user-created games gaining more popularity than Epic-created ones. Boston Consulting Group predicts that subscription-based models will become increasingly popular, making it easier for players to access games across various genres. The firm believes that this business model will persist due to its convenience and accessibility. As games become more compatible across devices and screens, subscription models will become more attractive, allowing players to access content without storage concerns. The company forecasts that the games industry will generate $350 billion in revenue globally by 2030.