Cross-Platform Development to Fuel Industry Growth, Says Kristian Segerstrale

According to Kristian Segerstrale, the key to driving growth in the gaming industry lies in adopting a cross-platform approach, rather than relying on the emergence of new platforms. In his keynote speech at Develop Brighton, Segerstrale noted that while there may not be a single new platform on the horizon to disrupt the market, there are still numerous opportunities to capitalize on existing platforms. He emphasized that the shift towards cross-platform development is almost inevitable, given the gravitational pull it exerts on core and midcore gaming IPs. By expanding to multiple platforms, developers can increase their reach and tap into a broader player base. However, Segerstrale also cautioned that this requires careful consideration of input mechanisms, business models, and other factors. Despite the current turmoil in the industry, Segerstrale expressed optimism about the long-term prospects for growth, citing the industry's doubling in size over the past decade and the growing number of people with access to gaming devices. He attributed the industry's tendency to overreact to short-term trends and underreact to long-term evolution, pointing to the early days of mobile gaming as an example. Segerstrale recalled that developers initially hoped mobile games might become a $1 billion industry, but the sector has since grown to $90 billion. While acknowledging the challenges faced by developers today, Segerstrale believes that the best companies are those that can learn from their setbacks and become more resilient, ultimately leading to better games and long-term success.