게임 개발 소프트웨어 시장 규모는 2024년에 12억 7,000만 달러, 2031년에는 27억 5,000만 달러에 달하며, 2024-2031년 CAGR은 10.15%로 성장할 것으로 예측됩니다.
게임 개발 소프트웨어는 비디오 게임 개발에 사용되는 툴나 앱을 의미하며, 프로그래밍, 디자인, 그래픽 제작, 오디오, 사용자 인터페이스 개발 등 다양한 기능을 포함합니다.
이 소프트웨어는 콘셉트 생성, 디자인, 제작, 테스트, 출시로 이어지는 게임 제작 프로세스 전반을 효율화합니다. Unity, Unreal Engine 등 인기 있는 게임 개발 엔진에는 게임 제작을 간소화하는 기능이 미리 내장되어 있으며, 프로그래밍에 대한 지식이 부족한 사람도 개발할 수 있습니다.
또한 교육, 의료, 비즈니스용 진지한 게임에도 사용되어 다방면으로 활용도가 높으며, 그 중요성이 입증되고 있습니다.
게임 개발 소프트웨어 시장을 형성하는 주요 시장 역학은 다음과 같습니다.
인디 게임 개발자의 부상: 게임 개발 툴의 민주화로 인해 독립 게임 개발자 시장 진입이 급증. 국제게임개발자협회(IGDA)는 2021년 개발자 만족도 조사에서 응답자의 39%가 독립 개발자로 분류되며, 2019년 33%에서 증가했다고 밝혔습니다. 이러한 급증은 인기 디지털 유통 플랫폼인 스팀(Steam)에 출시된 게임 수가 2011년 283개에 불과했던 신작 게임이 2021년에는 10,000개를 넘어선 것에서도 확인할 수 있습니다.
성장하는 모바일 게임 산업: 모바일 게임 산업의 급격한 성장은 게임 개발 소프트웨어 시장의 주요 촉진요인입니다. Verified Market Research에 따르면 모바일 게임 매출은 2023년까지 1,050억 달러에 달할 것으로 예상되며, 세계 게임 시장의 상당 부분을 차지할 것으로 보입니다. 이러한 증가는 크리에이터들이 보다 진보된 게임 개발 툴와 소프트웨어를 사용하여 고품질의 모바일 게임을 제작하도록 장려하고 있습니다.
주요 과제
높은 개발 비용: 고품질 게임을 개발하기 위해서는 기술, 소프트웨어 라이선스, 개발 툴, 인력에 많은 투자를 해야 합니다. 이러한 높은 진입장벽은 소규모 개발자나 독립기업의 사업 진출과 의욕적인 프로젝트의 의욕을 떨어뜨리고 있습니다. 또한 소프트웨어 요구사항과 하드웨어 사양의 변화, 클라우드 게임, VR, AR 등 신기술에 대응하기 위해 지속적인 수정과 투자가 필요한 것도 경제적 부담을 가중시키고 있습니다.
무료 및 오픈소스 툴과의 경쟁: 무료 및 오픈소스 기술의 보급은 상업용 게임 개발 소프트웨어 공급업체와의 경쟁을 불러일으킵니다. 이러한 무료 대체 툴은 고급 버전의 일부 기능이 부족하지만, 그럼에도 불구하고 많은 개발자, 특히 저예산 개발자나 취미 개발자에게 가치가 있습니다. 이러한 경쟁으로 인해 상용 벤더들은 경쟁력을 유지하기 위해 더 많은 가치와 기능을 제공해야 할 필요성이 대두되고 있습니다.
주요 동향 :
모바일 게임 수요 증가: 모바일 게임의 성장은 게임 개발 소프트웨어 시장을 촉진하는 큰 흐름입니다. 스마트폰 및 태블릿의 보급과 함께 더 많은 개발자들이 모바일 친화적인 게임 제작에 집중하고 있습니다. 이러한 변화의 배경에는 모바일 기기의 보급과 이동 중에도 게임을 즐기고자 하는 고객의 욕구가 높아졌기 때문입니다. 그 결과, 게임 개발 소프트웨어는 모바일 플랫폼에 빠르게 적응하고 있으며, 간소화된 인터페이스와 기능을 통해 사용자 경험과 참여를 향상시키고 있습니다.
클라우드 게임 솔루션 도입: 클라우드 게임은 개발자들이 하드웨어의 제약 없이 게임을 제작하고 배포할 수 있게 함으로써 게임 개발 소프트웨어 시장을 변화시키고 있습니다. 이러한 추세에 따라 사용자는 고가의 게임기나 PC가 필요 없이 모바일 기기로 직접 게임을 스트리밍할 수 있게 되었습니다. 그 결과, 게임 개발 툴은 클라우드 기반 기능을 탑재하게 되었고, 개발자 간의 실시간 협업을 촉진하고, 크로스 플랫폼 호환성을 실현하여 새로운 게임의 잠재적 이용자를 넓히고 있습니다.
Game Development Software Market size was valued at USD 1.27 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.75 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.15% from 2024 to 2031.
Game development software refers to the tools and apps used to build video games, which include a variety of features such as programming, design, graphic production, audio, and user interface development.
This software streamlines the entire game creation process, which typically comprises stages such as concept generation, design, production, testing, and launch. Popular game development engines, such as Unity and Unreal Engine, provide developers with pre-built functionality that simplifies game creation, making it accessible to individuals with limited programming knowledge.
Furthermore, it is also used in serious games for education, healthcare, and business, demonstrating its versatility and significance across multiple fields.
The key market dynamics that are shaping the game development software market include:
Rise of Indie Game Developers: The democratization of game development tools has resulted in a surge of independent game developers entering the market. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) revealed in their 2021 Developer Satisfaction Survey that 39% of respondents classified as independent developers, up from 33% in 2019. This surge is further proven by the number of games published on Steam, a popular digital distribution platform, which had over 10,000 new games produced in 2021, up from only 283 in 2011.
Growing Mobile Gaming Industry: The rapid growth of the mobile gaming industry is a major driver of the game development software market. According to Verified Market Research, mobile gaming revenue is expected to reach $105 billion by 2023, accounting for a significant percentage of the global gaming market. This rise is encouraging creators to use more advanced game development tools and software to build high-quality mobile games.
Key Challenges:
High Development Costs: Developing high-quality games necessitates significant investments in technology, software licenses, development tools, and personnel. This high barrier to entry discourages smaller developers and independent companies from entering the business or undertaking ambitious projects. The necessity for ongoing modifications and investments to keep up with changing software requirements, hardware specifications, and new technologies such as cloud gaming, VR, and AR adds to the financial burden.
Competition from Free and Open-Source Tools: The spread of free and open-source technologies creates competition for commercial game development software suppliers. While these free alternatives lack some of the capabilities of more advanced versions, they are nonetheless valuable to many developers, particularly those on a small budget or with hobbyist interests. This competition forces commercial vendors to provide more value and features to stay competitive.
Key Trends:
Increasing Demand for Mobile Gaming: The growth of mobile gaming is a major trend driving the game development software market. With the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets, more developers are focusing on making mobile-friendly games. This shift is being driven by the widespread availability of mobile devices and the growing customer appetite for gaming on the go. As a result, game development software is rapidly being adapted to mobile platforms, which improves user experience and engagement through streamlined interfaces and functionalities.
Adoption of Cloud Gaming Solutions: Cloud gaming is transforming the game development software market by allowing developers to build and distribute games without regard for hardware limits. This trend enables users to stream games straight to mobile devices, removing the need for expensive gaming consoles or PCs. As a result, game development tools are growing to include cloud-based capabilities, facilitating real-time collaboration among developers and enabling cross-platform compatibility, which broadens the potential audience for new games.
Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the game development software market:
North America:
According to Verified Market Research, North America is estimated to dominate in game development software market over the forecast period. North America, particularly the United States, is home to many of the world's largest game development companies, which fuels demand for advanced game development software. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) estimates that the video game industry in the United States created USD 90.7 Billion in yearly economic output by 2022. The concentration of industry leaders and economic activity increases the demand for cutting-edge development tools and software.
Furthermore, the rapidly growing esports industry in North America is generating demand for game development tools that can create competitive, multiplayer games. According to Newzoo's 2021 Global Esports and Live Streaming Market Report, North America's esports revenues were expected to reach USD 341 Million in 2021, making it the world's largest regional esports market. This expansion is driving developers to use more advanced techniques to produce games fit for professional competitive play.
Asia Pacific:
The Asia Pacific region is estimated to exhibit the highest growth within the market during the forecast period. Rising internet and smartphone usage rates in Asia Pacific are creating a wider market for games, driving up demand for development software. According to the GSMA's Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2022 report, the region is expected to have 1.2 billion mobile internet users by 2025, up from 1.1 billion in 2021. This growing user base encourages additional creators to enter the market, boosting the demand for simple and powerful development software.
Furthermore, several Asian countries are actively supporting their domestic gaming industries through various efforts, resulting in increased growth in the game development software market. For example, the South Korean government has declared plans to invest 223.7 billion won (roughly USD 193 Million) in the country's gaming industry by 2023, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency. Similarly, China's General Office of the State Council established instructions in 2022 to encourage the growth of the digital creative economy, which includes gaming. These government-backed programs are driving investment in game development technology and software throughout the region.
Europe:
Europe region is estimated to exhibit substantial growth within the market during the forecast period. Europe has a lively and expanding independent game development community, which drives the need for user-friendly and versatile game development software. According to the European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), there were over 5,000 game development studios in Europe as of 2020, with a large proportion of them being small and medium-sized firms. This diversified developer ecosystem is driving the demand for a wide range of game development tools and technologies to handle a variety of project sizes and complexities.
Furthermore, many European countries are actively supporting their creative industries, including game development, with a variety of initiatives and financing programs. For example, the European Commission's Creative Europe MEDIA initiative set aside €2.4 billion for 2021-2027 to promote the audiovisual, cultural, and creative sectors, including video games. This enormous financial backing encourages more developers to enter the industry and invest in cutting-edge game development software.
The Game Development Software Market is segmented based on Operation, Platform, End-User, And Geography.
In-game Analytics
IT Asset Management
Multiplayer Gaming Network
Physics Simulation
Player Management
Prototyping
Virtual Reality
Based on Operation, the market is segmented into In-game Analytics, IT Asset Management, Multiplayer Gaming Networks, Physics Simulation, Player Management, Prototyping, and Virtual Reality. The multiplayer gaming network segment is estimated to dominate the game development software market. The growing popularity of online and multiplayer games, backed by developments in networking technologies and the widespread adoption of cloud gaming platforms, has increased demand for development software that enables seamless multiplayer experiences. This segment is projected to continue to dominate the market as social gaming becomes more popular and gamers place a greater emphasis on creating immersive, shared gaming experiences.
Audio Engine
Game Engine
Gaming Tools
Physics Engine
Others
Based on Platform, the market is segmented into Audio Engine, Game Engine, Gaming Tools, Physics Engine, and Others. The game engine segment is estimated to dominate the game development software market. Game engines serve as the foundation for game development, providing crucial features such as visual rendering, physics simulation, and scripting capabilities. Their versatility and ability to support multiple platforms, such as mobile, console, and PC, make them essential for developers. As the demand for high-quality, immersive gaming experiences grows, game engines continue to lead the way, driving innovation and market development.
Enterprise
Individual
Based on End-User, the market is divided into Enterprise and Individual. The individual segment is estimated to dominate the market over the forecast period due to the rising accessibility and cost of development tools, which have enabled a growing number of indie developers and hobbyists to produce and publish their games. The advent of online platforms and markets for indie games exacerbates this trend, making user-friendly and cost-effective software solutions increasingly desirable among independent producers, propelling market growth in this segment.
North America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Rest of the world
Based on Geography, the Game Development Software Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America is expected to dominate within the game development software market during the forecast period due to the region's superior technological infrastructure, major investment in gaming advances, and a thriving ecosystem of professional developers and companies. The existence of significant industry giants like Unity Technologies and Epic Games strengthens North America's leadership. Furthermore, the region benefits from strong consumer demand for a variety of gaming experiences, including mobile, PC, and console games, which drives continued growth in this market.
Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.