Thursday, October 3rd 2024

Single-Player Games Lose to PVP in Younger Audiences Despite Recent Hits

It looks like Epic Games's Tim Sweeney was onto something earlier this week when he claimed that the gaming landscape is changing. According to new research by MIDiA Research, online PVP and couch co-op games are more popular than single-player games in audiences aged 16-24, with older audiences overwhelmingly preferring single-player games.

The researchers surveyed 9,000 gamers in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, South Korea, and Brazil, giving the study a pretty diverse sample, in terms of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Regardless of age group, single-player and PVP games were always the most popular genres, although a solid 53% of the participants in the study said that single-player games were their preference.
Single-player gaming seems to be experiencing something of a renaissance in recent years, after the mid 2010 PVP and MMO boom, with games like Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring—three AAA, narrative-driven, primarily single-player titles—garnering second, seventh, and eighth place in SteamDB's all-time peak player count charts. It's also worth observing that players seem to be growing increasingly frustrated with live-service and online games, most of which rely on PVP or PVE elements for success.

The low popularity of couch co-op games in audiences 35-years old and older is also peculiar, since those are exactly the types of gamers who likely grew up playing couch co-op games with friends and family on consoles.
Sources: MIDiA Research, SteamDB
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73 Comments on Single-Player Games Lose to PVP in Younger Audiences Despite Recent Hits

#26
cvaldes
Look, no one can please everyone all the time. If you don’t like CoD, WoW, CS, Fortnite that’s fine. You don’t have to like every single television show or musician or actor either.

You also can just keep your mouth shut or just say “that’s not for me but I’m glad some people have fun with it.” Not that difficult.

That said, most of these gamers have fun playing with their pals. When someone asks “which online multiplayer game should I play?” the best answer is usually “just play whatever your friends are playing.”
Posted on Reply
#27
Why_Me
AusWolfCan someone explain the appeal of CoD to me? I don't mean the first one or second one, I mean the 7435784th one. It seems to me like the same game over and over again. :confused:
If it isn't broke, don't fix it. That game will go down as an all time classic.
Posted on Reply
#28
kapone32
beedooI'm over 50 and struggling to find any interest in things to play.

For a while, I returned to Diablo III (with the wife), and for years (something like 550 days played) there was WoW - heavily into PvP, and FFXIV - but I've watched what's been happening with the likes of Concord, Suicide Squad, Star Wars Outlaws, Assassins Creed Shadows, along with the language used and alleged abuse being flung around by gaming studios and media at a certain demographic of players- and whether any of it is true or not, it's soured my hobby of gaming and rebuilding my computer every couple of years.

It's a shame, as being older - I have a lot of money to spend on this "hobby".

I've got a PS5 + VR2 with no games, and waiting to fully rebuild my PC - but there seems little point right now.
Space Marine 2 is that good. So is Rogue Trader, Everspace 2, The Ascent, Iron Harvest, Orcs Must Die 3, Destroy All Humans 1 & 2, Grendizer, Grid Autosport, Greedfall and Redout 2 are all Games that you will remember why you started Gaming in the first place. For Simulation Le Mans Ultimate is a dream come true (not quite yet) if you are into Endurance Racing.
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#29
AusWolf
oxrufiioxoFor me at least it's playing in a group of 5-6 friends and just shooting the shite while you're shooting shite :laugh:

It's also pretty easy to pick up has a large player base making it easy to find games and isn't hard to be half decent at.

Also Treyarch cod games tend to be quite different than IW developed ones. Sledgehammer developed cods are usually the down years lol but are more similar to IW.
I still don't get it. Oh well... :ohwell:
Why_MeIf it isn't broke, don't fix it. That game will go down as an all time classic.
Yeah, but why release it again and again, and why do people buy it again and again for exorbitant prices?
cvaldesLook, no one can please everyone all the time. If you don’t like CoD, WoW, CS, Fortnite that’s fine. You don’t have to like every single television show or musician or actor either.

You also can just keep your mouth shut or just say “that’s not for me but I’m glad some people have fun with it.” Not that difficult.

That said, most of these gamers have fun playing with their pals. When someone asks “which online multiplayer game you should I play?” the best answer is usually “just play whatever your friends are playing.”
Hey, there's no need to be aggressive. At least I'm asking questions, trying to understand. It's not my fault if you can't logically explain why you like a game/series.
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#30
oxrufiioxo
AusWolfYeah, but why release it again and again, and why do people buy it again and again for exorbitant prices?
You see the same thing with sports games year after year which I would argue are less different other than roster changes and the engine upgrade every 4-5 years.....

It's mostly becuase people want to play games with their friends that have large player base is my guess.

Also I know a lot of problems who are only interested in playing with/against real people.
Posted on Reply
#31
AusWolf
oxrufiioxoYou see the same thing with sports games year go year which I would argue are less different other than roster changes and the engine upgrade every 4-5 years.....
Yep - I'm not singling out CoD here. There's many other games in the same boat.
oxrufiioxoIt's mostly becuase people want to play game with their friends that have large player base is my guess.
Sure, but those friends could just stick to the game that they already bought last year. There's no need to pay ~50 quid for the same stuff again and again.
Posted on Reply
#32
oxrufiioxo
AusWolfSure, but those friends could just stick to the game that they already bought last year. There's no need to pay ~50 quid for the same stuff again and again.
While true and there is always overlap i mean people still play the originals, a large portion of the player base moves on to the next one likely giving people fomo.

For me it's my buddies buy it so I might as well also if they didn't play it I'd have 0 interest and I never load up solo ever.
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#33
dirtyferret
If I can't pause the game (or somehow take a time out) than I have no desire to play the game
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#34
kapone32
AusWolfI still don't get it. Oh well... :ohwell:
Helldivers2
Posted on Reply
#35
AusWolf
oxrufiioxoWhile true and there is always overlap i mean people still play the originals, a large portion of the player base moves on to the next one likely giving people fomo.

For me it's my buddies buy it so I might as well also if they didn't play it I'd have 0 interest and I never load up solo ever.
Ah, so it's not the game itself, but FOMO combined with some kind of herd/group mentality. Psychology 101. Gotcha. :)
Posted on Reply
#36
cvaldes
AusWolfI still don't get it. Oh well... :ohwell:


Yeah, but why release it again and again, and why do people buy it again and again for exorbitant prices?
Relatively speaking videogames are an inexpensive form of entertainment offering lots of playtime for a relatively small amount. And adjusted for inflation gaming is WAY cheaper today than it was twenty years ago.

The relative value is one reason why videogames are popular in the 16-24 age group.

How much is a round of golf? A movie ticket? A concert ticket?

Remember that many of these online multiplayer players have pivoted in recent years to a free-to-play model making the bar to entry very, very low.

It’s not so much as laying waste to a mob of bratty, foul-mouthed teens but more about goofing off with your buddies while doing so.
Posted on Reply
#37
oxrufiioxo
dirtyferretIf I can't pause the game (or someone take a time out) than I have no desire to play the game
I hear you man, the last 21 months since my son was born have been tough playing MP games I've mostly stuck with PVE type games to scratch that itch but try to do some mp with buddies once every 2 weeks or so.
Posted on Reply
#38
AusWolf
kapone32Helldivers2
I haven't played it (not interested in MP only games), but based on what I've seen, it's very different from CoD, CS, etc.
cvaldesRelatively speaking videogames are an inexpensive form of entertainment offering lots of playtime for a relatively small amount. An adjusted for inflation gaming is WAY cheaper today than it was twenty years ago.

The relative value is one reason why videogames are popular in the 16-24 age group.

How much is a round of golf?

Remember that many of these online multiplayer players have pivoted in recent years to a free-to-play model making the bar to entry very, very low.
I agree, but that doesn't explain the appeal of CoD 65346764 or CS 653467 compared to the version before. I mean, when I see videos of people playing CS 2 on dust2, it's the exact same map as it was in CS:GO, which was the same as it was in CS:Source, which was the same as it was in CS 1.6. Why spend money on the same stuff again and again?
Posted on Reply
#39
oxrufiioxo
AusWolfAh, so it's not the game itself, but FOMO combined with some kind of herd/group mentality. Psychology 101. Gotcha. :)
I mean most people do repetitive stuff with friends... BBQ, watch sports, have drinks, and later in life hopefully watch their kids play sports etc it's really no different. Unless one does not have friends then I guess they wouldn't get it.

We also try almost every MP game not just cod there is a ton of Apex, Destiny, Fortnight, and CS along with the random indie stuff that pops up when you really think about it all MP shooters are basically the same you load in with a group and try to take out the other team or in the case of BRs everyone. We actually spend the majority of time Bsing about our days or what's going on in the world not actually caring much about what happens in the game only taking it mildly serious occasionally.
Posted on Reply
#40
AusWolf
oxrufiioxoI mean most people do repetitive stuff with friends... BBQ, watch sports, have drinks, and later in life hopefully watch their kids play sports etc it's really no different. Unless one does not have friends then I guess they wouldn't get it.
Totally, but playing the same old game is fine for that. I used to enjoy the heck out of W40k: DoW with my friends back in the days, and I still would today if they wanted a rematch. I don't need to buy a new game every year to do that.
oxrufiioxoall MP shooters are basically the same you load in with a group and try to take out the other team or in the case of BRs everyone.
Exactly my point.
oxrufiioxoWe actually spend the majority of time Bsing about our days or what's going on in the world not actually caring much about what happens in the game only taking it mildly serious occasionally.
Fair point. I'd rather do it in the garden, or in the pub with a pint of beer, though. I don't think it's worth spending money on a game if all you do in it is talk about your day with your friends.
Posted on Reply
#41
cvaldes
AusWolfTotally, but playing the same old game is fine for that. I used to enjoy the heck out of W40k: DoW with my friends back in the days, and I still would today if they wanted a rematch. I don't need to buy a new game every year to do that.


Exactly my point.


Fair point. I'd rather do it in the garden, or in the pub with a pint of beer, though. I don't think it's worth spending money on a game if all you do in it is talk about your day with your friends.
I’m pretty sure videogames are cheaper than regularly slamming down pints at your local. :)

I get the appeal of both and some might do both. Others lean one way or another.
Posted on Reply
#42
oxrufiioxo
AusWolfFair point. I'd rather do it in the garden, or in the pub with a pint of beer, though. I don't think it's worth spending money on a game if all you do in it is talk about your day with your friends.
It probably comes down to how much one values 60-70 bucks.... A couple hours of work to play a game for 6-8 months with my buddies isn't a large investment 1-2 times a year assuming we get multiple new MP games that year ofc. I can't even go out to eat with my wife for that and going to the movies cost about half that or more these days so it's pretty insignificant. I would imagine a lot of people only buy cod and that is it or whatever their MP or sports game of choice is every year.
Posted on Reply
#43
chrcoluk
dirtyferretIf I can't pause the game (or somehow take a time out) than I have no desire to play the game
This.

For me gaming is to switch off from the world, its me time, I am not interacting with other humans, I am not playing to someone else's schedule or pace.
Posted on Reply
#44
oxrufiioxo
chrcolukThis.

For me gaming is to switch off from the world, its me time, I am not interacting with other humans, I am not playing to someone else's schedule or pace.
I love that style of gaming just as much so people can do both.
Posted on Reply
#45
InVasMani
When all your presented with is shallow co-op, or single player or playing against a hacker infestation it's pretty obvious what most will pick.
Posted on Reply
#46
AusWolf
cvaldesI’m pretty sure videogames are cheaper than regularly slamming down pints at your local. :)

I get the appeal of both and some might do both. Others lean one way or another.
We rarely go to the local, to be fair. It's much better to have a pint at my house or theirs. Cheaper and quieter. But I get what you mean.
oxrufiioxoIt probably comes down to how much one values 60-70 bucks.... A couple hours of work to play a game for 6-8 months with my buddies isn't a large investment 1-2 times a year assuming we get multiple new MP games that year ofc. I can't even go out to eat with my wife for that and going to the movies cost about half that or more these days so it's pretty insignificant. I would imagine a lot of people only buy cod and that is it or whatever their MP or sports game of choice is every year.
I value 60-70 bucks enough not to spend it on the same game over and over again. Going out for a dinner is at least something special. You can try different meals, not to mention being there with your loved ones physically. But yeah, each to their own.

My impression is still that one only buys CoD or CS because of FOMO and peer pressure, although I don't know what one's missing out on. Dust2 is the same now as it was in CS: Source or 1.6.
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#47
Lew Zealand
Co-op requires friends who play so that's out. That's a me thing to be clear.
PVP is fun even when I suck at it but Fortnite is fun every time I play, I just don't choose to very often.
I may have logged in more total time in Single Player games than any other genre and as some have said: Pause is a golden feature.
But I keep coming back to PVE, where I have the most time in individual games. Minecraft, Arks, others. The mix of challenge and chill in early to mid game for these is unmatched.
Posted on Reply
#48
phanbuey
PVP is great if you have the time to commit without interruptions to actually play.

That goes away in a big way as you start a family so alot of younger dads doing single player games here and there.
Posted on Reply
#49
oxrufiioxo
phanbueyPVP is great if you have the time to commit without interruptions to actually play.

That goes away in a big way as you start a family so alot of younger dads doing single player games here and there.
Yeah my gaming hours have went from a 10-15 per week to 3-5 per week takes me ages to finish anything these days. Although I feel the opposite that somthing like FF16 is a much bigger commitment than a couple rounds of CoD, Fortnight, Apex etc.
AusWolfMy impression is still that one only buys CoD or CS because of FOMO and peer pressure, although I don't know what one's missing out on. Dust2 is the same now as it was in CS: Source or 1.6.
You'd actually have to play them to know but Vanguard, Black ops CW, and MW 2/3 are all different enough with completely different settings to justify a purchase if you have a group of friends to play them.

Now if they are good or bad games is completely subjective.

Fortnight an Apex technically cost nothing I haven't spent money on either in years.

I still understand your point of view I feel most indie games are a waste of money and time and most SP stuff these days regardless of how much alike or different they are pretty crappy.
Posted on Reply
#50
cvaldes
Remember that enjoyment of any activity is pretty subjective and I'm not just talking about videogames or games. If someone can't explain why they prefer Valorant over Apex Legends, that's fine by me. Hell, I don't get all flustered if someone can't explain why they like cricket over baseball or snowboarding over rock climbing.

But if someone can’t articulate why they like a particular activity, that doesn’t make the activity dismissible. It just means that person isn’t particularly eloquent.

But it's important to note that videogames are games. Most people play them to have fun. Just like youth football, pickup games at the neighborhood basketball court, mixed doubles tennis, a round of golf, skateboarding, whatever.

I still maintain that videogames are relatively inexpensive entertainment when you look at the cost over time. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was $60 at launch (1998). That's like $130 in today's dollars adjusted for inflation. Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is $70 full retail (goes on sale from time to time). How long is a Legend of Zelda playthrough?

What's the price of a movie ticket? Even if the movie is very long, very few go beyond 160 minutes.

What are the costs to send a kid to a youth football league? Swim team?

In the end, I'm not sure if most young people care that CoD costs money up front where another game is free-to-play. If they want to play with their friends, they'll pony up the money. Criticize the sports videogame franchises all you want but I'm pretty sure buying one of those sports videogames is cheaper than buying a couple of tickets to a Premier League match.
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