81% of Mobile Developers Focused on Creating New Games

According to a report released by Sandsoft, a mobile gaming company, a significant majority of 81% of mobile developers are actively working on new game titles. Furthermore, 83% of these developers have successfully secured funding for the development, launch, or marketing of their games. The report, titled The Publisher Perception Report and conducted in collaboration with Atomik Research, surveyed a total of 454 developers from the USA, Spain, and France between June 4 and June 10, 2024. The findings indicate that nearly half of the developers, at 47%, are currently in the process of testing game prototypes. In contrast, only 9% have progressed to the soft launch stage. In terms of game genres, hybrid-casual is the most popular, accounting for 43% of games in development, followed closely by casual games at 34%. Additionally, the survey reveals that developers are concerned about potential layoffs, with 49% anticipating further job losses. The majority of those surveyed express concern for their job security and view unionization as a positive development. A significant 90% of respondents emphasized the importance of having high-quality, AAA games available on mobile devices. This is despite reports that even prominent games like Resident Evil 7 on iOS have struggled to attract a sizable paying customer base, with estimates suggesting only around 2,000 users. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in game development was another key topic addressed in the report. A substantial 84% of developers reported utilizing AI in their development process, with 38% considering it a core component. In terms of funding sources for mobile game development, the report found that strategic investment and direct funding from publishers were the most common, at 31% and 27%, respectively. While 34% of surveyed developers believe that publishers provide a valuable service, just over a quarter expressed concerns that publishers often take more than they give, citing unfavorable deal terms, revenue sharing, and loss of creative control as major issues. Finally, the survey revealed that developers are 50% more likely to pursue publishing deals in specific regions, with Latin America emerging as the most popular destination for new market opportunities.