Second Annual GDC State of the Industry Research Reveals Game Developers' Target Platforms for Future Projects

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Game Developers Conference® (GDC) has polled more than 2,600 North American game developers who attended GDC 2013 to compose the second annual State of the Industry Survey, which provides a snapshot of the games industry and illustrates industry trends before the start of GDC 2014 in March. Notable trends shown in the poll results include a preference for the PlayStation 4 platform for console developers, the prevalence of self-funded projects, the changing reliance and relationship with publishers, and myriad other trends that offer a glimpse into the future landscape of the games industry.

The full report polled attendees on topics relating to platform preference, crowdsourcing, team size, live streaming, localization and topics in-between. The 2014 State of the Industry Survey is the second in an ongoing series of yearly reports that offer insight into the shape of the industry as a prelude to GDC 2014 in San Francisco. Organized by the UBM Tech Game Network, GDC 2014 will take place March 17-21 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California.

PlayStation 4 Leads Among New Consoles, as Developers Flock to PC and Mobile

With the new generation of game consoles still in their infancy, 20% of developers surveyed said they intend to release their next game on Sony's PlayStation 4. That edges out Xbox One's 17% and greatly outpaces Wii U's 4%. Fourteen percent of developers said they are currently developing games for PlayStation 4, versus 12 percent for Xbox One and 4 percent for Wii U.

While PS4 has a narrow lead in the console space when it comes to developer intent, it's still lower-barrier PC and smartphone/tablet development that attracts most developers surveyed. Fifty-one percent plan to make their next game for smartphone/tablet, while 52% anticipate releasing their next game on PC/Mac.

Meanwhile, 53% of respondents are currently working on PC or Mac titles and 52% of developers are creating titles for tablet/smartphones.

Developers Are Choosing to Self-Publish Their Games

Developers polled expressed an overwhelming preference toward self-publishing their projects, with 64% of respondents not working with a publisher on their current project, versus 19% who are (17% said they work at a publisher). That self-publishing vs. publishing split is virtually the same as last year, and reflects digital distribution trends on PC and mobile platforms.

More Game Developers Are Self-Funding Than Last Year

Big crowdfunding projects make the headlines, but self-funding is still the most popular among developers polled.  Fifty-two percent said that at least part of their funding comes from their company's existing funds, and 46% of respondents said they contribute their own personal funds toward the creation of their projects. That's up from 2013's survey, when 37% of respondents reported that they dipped into their company's warchest to fund development, while 35% of respondents offered their own money to fund their projects.

Only 11% of respondents to this year's survey had used crowdfunding as a monetary resource for their current projects, though that number grew from last year's 4%.

For more information about the 2014 Game Developers Conference or to register online, visit www.gdconf.com.

About the UBM Tech Game Network 

A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the UBM Tech Game Network offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services. These include the Game Developers Conference®, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com and network of sites, the Game Advertising Online ad network, the App Developers Conference™, the Game Developers Conference® Next, the Game Developers Conference™ Europe, the Game Developers Conference™ China, the Game Career Seminars and GameCareerGuide.com, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards. Visit: www.jointhegamenetwork.com

About UBM Tech

UBM Tech is a global media business that brings together the world's technology communities through live events, online properties and custom services. UBM Tech's community-focused approach provides its users and clients with expertly curated research, education, training, community advocacy, user-generated content and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities that serve the Electronics, Security, Enterprise IT and Communications, Network Infrastructure and Applications, Game and App Developers, and Tech Marketing communities. UBM Tech's brands include Black Hat, DesignCon, EE Times, Enterprise Connect, Game Developers Conference (GDC), HDI, InformationWeek, and Interop. Create, a UBM Tech full range marketing services division, includes custom events, content marketing solutions, community development and demand generation programs based on its content and technology market expertise. UBM Tech is a part of UBM (UBM.L), a global provider of media and information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. For more information, go to http://tech.ubm.com.

SOURCE UBM Tech Game Network

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