

gaming
THIS gaming genre is gaining the most popularity in 2021!
As the video game industry shows no signs of slowing down, there are limitless opportunities for the blending, or creation, of new genres each year. Among the multiple gaming genres available, some manage to remain popular, whereas others start to fade away.
Interested in this, TopRatedCasinos.ie wanted to discover which gaming genre has become the most popular in 2021. They did this by scraping Steam to find the 15 most popular games under each gaming genre. They then utilised the Twitch Tracker tool to analyse the peak Twitch concurrent viewers in April 2020 and April 2021 which allowed them to measure the percentage increase for each genre.
Key Points
- The Action RPG games genre shows the biggest increase in popularity in 2021.
- Real-Time Strategy games come second on the list, with 63,215 more Twitch viewers than April last year.
- Fighting & Martial Arts games are third with 383% more viewership.
- Remarkably, Grand Theft Auto V is the game with the biggest increase in popularity from 2020 with 883,000 more viewers this April.
Gaming genres with the biggest increase in popularity in 2021
Rank |
Gaming genre |
2020 peak April Twitch viewers |
2021 peak April Twitch viewers |
Difference in viewership |
Percentage increase (%) |
1 |
Action RPG |
36,896 |
336,983 |
+300,087 |
+813% |
2 |
Real-Time Strategy |
13,136 |
76,351 |
+63,215 |
+481% |
3 |
Fighting & Martial Arts |
53,006 |
255,760 |
+202,754 |
+383% |
4 |
Puzzle |
88,104 |
386,571 |
+298,467 |
+339% |
5 |
Platform & Runner |
136,551 |
596,298 |
+459,747 |
+337% |
6 |
Casual |
71,814 |
307,391 |
+235,577 |
+328% |
7 |
Life & Immersive |
52,368 |
193,171 |
+140,803 |
+269% |
8 |
Third-Person Shooter |
379,059 |
1,276,548 |
+897,489 |
+237% |
9 |
Team Sports |
21,198 |
62,697 |
+41,499 |
+196% |
10 |
Card & Board |
126,406 |
357,771 |
+231,365 |
+183% |
Topratedcasinos.ie can reveal that the gaming genre with the biggest increase in popularity in 2021 is Action RPG. Thanks to games such as Path of Exile and Grim Dawn, Action RPG games have seen peak viewers rise by 300,087 in April 2021 compared to last year.
Coming second on the list is Real-Time Strategy. Games such as Age of Empires II and Total War: WARHAMMER II belong to this genre, so there is no surprise it has received 63,215 more peak views since last April (+481%).
Coming in third is Fighting & Martial Arts games. The genre has seen a 383% increase in peak Twitch views compared to last year. It will likely remain popular for years to come due to classic games such as Mortal Kombat 11 and Brawlhalla.
Puzzle games come fourth, with a 339% increase in peak Twitch views compared to 2020. Thanks to games such as Portal 2 and Baba Is You, puzzle games have seen 298,467 more Twitch views in 2021 compared to last year.
Completing the top five, with a 337% increase in average Twitch peak viewers, is Platform & Runner games.
As well as finding the genres that have increased in popularity the most, TopRatedCasinos.ie can also reveal the games with the largest increase in popularity since April 2020.
Top 5 games with the increase in popularity:
- Grand Theft Auto V: + 883,000 average viewers
- Path of Exile: +292,100 average viewers
- The Jackbox Party Pack 7: +128,000 average viewers
- Mortal Kombat 11: +111,700 average viewers
- Apex Legends: +101,800 average viewers
Please see the full blog post for more information: https://www.topratedcasinos.ie/which-gaming-genre-is-gaining-the-most-popularity-in-2021
gaming
Investment Opportunities in the Multi-billion-dollar Gaming Sector

The Gaming industry is growing day by day. It has already become a global entertainment giant. From sweeping open-world quests to quick, addictive mobile games, the industry has expanded into a multi-billion-dollar giant.
The global gaming industry was valued at over £135 billion ($184 billion) in 2023 and is projected to reach £184 billion ($250 billion) in 2030. It is driven by cloud gaming, which eliminates the need for costly consoles, high-speed internet, and immersive technologies like VR and AR. Revenues from VR gaming alone in 2023 exceeded £1.9 billion ($2.6 billion), and the AR gaming business is set to grow at a pace of over 30% annually.
The transition from physical to digital is virtually complete: in large markets, over 90% of games sold today are digital, with downloads, live services, and subscriptions replacing cartridges and discs.
Alternative Ways to Invest in Gaming
The gaming industry is not merely a business of copying the most recent blockbusting release; it’s a rich, diverse ecosystem with several streams of revenue, from historic game publishing to aggressive esports and the burgeoning betting and online gambling sector. Today’s investors are able to access entertainment-oriented and wagering-led segments, each with their distinct risk and reward profiles.
Video Game Development & Publishing
Envision house brands behind the mega-franchises of Call of Duty, FIFA or The Legend of Zelda. These brands have enormous fan bases and generate revenue that stretches far past the initial buy, with in-game purchases, downloadable packs and subscription content keeping gamers engaged and expenditures year-round.
Esports
Esports have now evolved from casual living-room games to multi-million-dollar tournaments streamed live in front of a global audience. Internet gambling on esports competitions is also becoming a niche but growing market, offering a new source of revenue for both organisers and financiers.
Online Betting & Casinos
This segment is focused on convenience, accessibility and growing demand for real-money play. Online gaming sites and casinos are taking advantage of more lenient rules in key markets, so that they now represent a more mainstream and profitable part of the gaming economy.
Spotlight on Online Gambling
Online casinos are no longer merely whirring slot machines; they’re pushing boundaries. Some of the top 20 online casinos have gone beyond traditional slots and table games, incorporating esports betting, skill-based game challenges and interactive live dealer games.
Why does that matter to investors? Easy. It signals flexibility. These platforms are captivating players where they are: at their phones, on streaming websites, and in hybrid entertainment spaces that blur the line between socialising and gaming. This flexibility is what can keep revenue streams consistent even when trends shift.
Why Investors are Paying Attention
The gaming market has something that a lot of others envy: loyal consumers who are spenders on a regular basis. It’s £3 ($5) on a character skin or £36 ($50) on a new game, but the spend is cumulative, and it doesn’t evaporate during poor economies.
And gaming pervades everywhere. A hit title in Japan can find fans in Brazil in days. And for companies, that global reach means multiple streams of revenue and endless room to grow.
Risks in Investment
There is no investment without risk. Regulations change overnight, especially in online gaming. Game developers also come and go with their biggest hit; one flop can jerk their stock price. And in this competitive environment, being new is a never-ending struggle.
Gaming Investment Strategies
Diversify among multiple corners of the sector. That way, you’re not betting everything on one game or one trend. Gaming-focused ETFs deserve a look as well if you enjoy a pre-packaged solution that spreads the risk.
The post Investment Opportunities in the Multi-billion-dollar Gaming Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
gaming
German Games Market Grows in the First Half of 2025

The German games market has returned to growth: following a year in which revenue from games, games hardware and online gaming services declined for the first time after many years of growth, the first six months of 2025 have once again seen an increase in sales revenue. 4.6 billion euros in revenue was generated, which equates to an increase of 4% compared to the same period in the previous year.
This was announced by game – The German Games Industry Association at a press conference in advance of the opening of gamescom next week. The sources of this data are the market research firm YouGov and data.ai (a Sensor Tower company). Games hardware enjoyed the biggest increase during the first half of 2025. Propelled among other things by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, revenues in this area grew by 17%. The online gaming services market segment also increased, by 4%. Games, on the other hand, experienced a small decline of 2%, to 2.7 billion euros.
“The German games market’s growth in the first six months of 2025 sends a powerful signal for the start of gamescom. This year’s event has also set a new record for the number of exhibitors. Combined with the increase in exhibition space and the many top companies expected to attend this year’s event, gamescom is set to drive even more growth in the German and international games market. This year’s theme – ‘Games – perfect entertainment’ – is fully in keeping with this boost, as 44 million Germans view games as the entertainment of our age. And not just for themselves: the vast majority of video game players believe that games are particularly good for bringing people of all ages together. It is yet another way that gamescom will be the perfect place to be,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association, which is a co-organiser of gamescom.
The theme of gamescom 2025 – “Games – perfect entertainment” – reflects the reality in Germany, as was underscored by the findings of a representative survey conducted by the market research company YouGov: some two thirds of Germans consider video games to be the entertainment of our age. This equates to around 44 million people. It is a finding that is also supported by the experiences of the people playing video games. Nearly all of them say that they enjoy playing games (94%), find them entertaining (93%), and see them as a good way to relax (91%). In fact, 86% of video game players say that games put them in a good mood, and 8 in 10 players spend less time thinking about crises or worries thanks to games.
The average age of video game players in Germany is now nearly 40 – and it is continuing to rise. This is because the largest increases in the number of players are in the older age groups. Games have long since established themselves as a medium for all generations. The video game players think so, too: 85% of them say that games offer something for every age group, while 88% enjoy playing with other family members. 79% of players in Germany believe that games can help to bring younger and older people together, and three quarters of players think that playing games together as a family can help people to gain a better understanding of digital media.
The post German Games Market Grows in the First Half of 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Anton Umnov
Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open

The Avalanche Foundation and Helika, a leading provider of technical and creative solutions for the video games industry, have officially launched their joint video game accelerator program and opened applications for the first cohort.
The newly announced strategic partnership is designed to engage both Web3-native studios and traditional game developers exploring blockchain integration. The accelerator aims to identify and support the next generation of studios building at the frontier of blockchain-based gaming.
The program is focused on product interaction and is designed to discover, support, and fast-track promising studios and projects building on the Avalanche blockchain. It will provide selected projects with unparalleled access to resources, mentorship from industry leaders, technical support, activations, and funding opportunities for qualifying or top-performing teams.
The accelerator is open to seasoned teams building high-quality, engaging experiences across platforms, from mobile to desktop and everything in between. Projects with prior traction or cross-platform aspirations are especially encouraged to apply.
The program will run for 3 months, with virtual onboarding and IRL showcases planned across major gaming and blockchain events.
What selected teams get:
Funding & Resources: $25,000 in initial support and up to $125,000 in additional funding for qualifying or top-performing teams.
Expert Guidance: Mentorship from game veterans, blockchain experts, and industry leaders through group sessions and 1:1 consultations.
Analytics Support: Comprehensive analytics solutions to track performance, improve retention, and optimize monetization strategies.
Blockchain Integration: Dedicated assistance for integrating with the Avalanche blockchain and optimizing technical performance.
Community & Growth: Activations with partner communities and platforms and support in player acquisition, community building, go-to-market strategies.
Helika Advisory Access: Access to specialized experts from Helika’s network for tailored support.
Ecosystem Access: Direct connection to a vibrant network of developers, investors, publishers, and Web3 enthusiasts.
Showcase Opportunities: A final Demo Day event to present games to investors, publishers, and ecosystem partners.
“We are excited to partner with the Avalanche Foundation to create a world-class accelerator for Web3 gaming. Avalanche’s robust and scalable infrastructure makes it an ideal environment for innovative game development. Studios need tools that work, data that matter, and real support from people who understand what it means to build in this space — this accelerator provides all of that, plus a direct line into a powerful Web3 ecosystem,” said Anton Umnov, Founder and CEO of Helika.
“Avalanche is focused on the long game. There’s no shortage of flashy ideas. What’s missing is the support that helps studios turn those ideas into real, playable, scalable games. Avalanche has long been the go-to chain for speed and innovation, and now we’re channeling that energy into the future of gaming, supporting teams who understand the nuance of player experience, community building, and long-term value creation,” said Parker Heath, Ava Labs Gaming Partnerships Lead.
Avalanche plays host to a vibrant lineup of video games, including Off The Grid and Maple Story Universe, all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in blockchain-powered play. Thanks to its customizable Avalanche L1s, lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees, developers can tailor unique environments for their games without compromising on user experience.
Helika has become a cornerstone for modern game studios, equipping developers with real-time insights into player behavior, on-chain economies, and engagement metrics. From Proof of Play and Parallel to Nexon, Ubisoft, and Com2Us, Helika’s platform is shaping how developers build, balance, and scale their games in real-time. This accelerator takes that impact further by embedding support into the earliest stages of development when it matters most.
The post Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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