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FANDOM DECODES THE TUG-OF-WAR FOR FAN ATTENTION BETWEEN GAMING & ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES IN 2024 INSIDE ENTERTAINMENT STUDY

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Study Identifies a New Target Audience – The “Switchers” – and Why Dramas Could Be the Next Big Gaming Franchise

 

Forget the gaming vs. entertainment narrative. Fandom, the world’s largest fan platform, today released its annual Inside Entertainment study which reveals a nuanced reality: fans crave both immersive gaming worlds AND timeless storytelling across tv and film, NOT one or the other. Leveraging first-party data from Fandom’s extensive platform – 350 million monthly unique visitors, 45 million pages of content and 250k fan-powered wikis – coupled with a global study, Inside Entertainment: The Entertainment & Gaming Tug of War goes beyond industry headlines to:

  • Understand the dynamic coexistence between the gaming and TV/film industries
  • Identify a brand new audience – the “Switchers”
  • Detail why dramas and book adaptations present a huge opportunity to be the next hit video game franchise

“Every industry analysis refers to the battle for fans’ attention across entertainment and gaming but we’ve found that it’s not an either or. In fact, combined, entertainment and gaming experiences strengthen fan connection and deliver incremental engagement,” said Stephanie Fried, CMO of Fandom. “Understanding the interplay between these mediums is key to building authentic and enduring fan experiences; and understanding the value and role of each medium is essential for developing powerful marketing messaging to attract and retain fans.”

Key Findings

  • 67% of fans are spending the same or more time consuming content or playing video games, but their behavior is shifting:
  • 33% are spending less time on cable or in theaters – and the number one activity they’re switching to is gaming (59%

Switchers’ refers to the audience moving away from watching movies & binging TV shows in their free time to do other activities. Outside of gaming, switchers are also spending time:

On social media (47%), reading (56%) and doing hobbies (37%)
With 56% of the switcher audience spending time reading, it presents an opportunity to re-engage this audience and pull them back into the ecosystem with new content strategies, like book-to-game or book-to-film cross over adaptations

But don’t worry entertainment companies. Just as gaming is the #1 activity for entertainment fans, watching TV and movies is the #1 activity gamers turn to when taking a break from gaming – which means these industries are inevitably intertwined and could benefit from joint endeavors or conquest/win-back strategies

Drama could be #1 untapped genre for gaming companies to explore when looking for their next big hit. Our data uncovers that drama fans who also game gravitate towards genres like:

  • Role-Playing (RPG): 73%
  • Adventure: 72%,
  • Simulation: 62%,
  • Sandbox/Open World: 62%,
  • Puzzle: 60%

Gaming wins on super serving the emotional needs of fans, identifying a niche area streamers & studios should not only be aware of – but double down on:

  • 82% of gamers think video games are more interactive & engaging than movies and TV
  • 59% feel more accomplished when playing a video game
  • 53% like that they have more control in the story when playing video games
  • 45% feel more invested in the storylines in video games

Top 3 Takeaways For Advertisers and Marketers

1. Gaming is a Friend vs. a Foe

  • Despite common misconceptions, there is a true symbiotic relationship between the gaming and entertainment industries – they both serve different emotional needs for fans and can actually complement each other – with the right fan strategy.
  • Therefore, if studios, networks and streaming companies cater to the distinct emotional desires of their specific audiences, they can successfully influence a fan’s choice between mediums and content types and build out a more robust conquest strategy for both retention and acquisition.

2. Sway the Switchers

  • Switchers are the audience entertainment companies should be first and foremost targeting in this “tug of war” to capture fan attention, because switching to watching TV & movies is the first activity gamers engage in after they stop playing.
  • This underscores the importance for entertainment companies to develop strategies that resonate with these “switchers.”

3. Find your Niche

  • With the growing intersection between gaming and entertainment, it’s crucial for studios, networks, and streamers to align on a gaming strategy that drives viewer engagement and retention.
  • While many entertainment companies know they need a focus on gaming to drive their business forward – how and where are often barriers. Developing a gaming-specific fan strategy by finding niche pockets in the vast ecosystem – like targeting drama fans or creating book adaptations – is key for reaching a high affinity target at scale.

For an interview with a Fandom executive to discuss the study in more detail, please contact Rachelle Savoia at [email protected]

Methodology

The 2024 Inside Entertainment study regionally analyzes the dynamics between diverse forms of entertainment based on a survey of 5,500 entertainment and gaming fans aged 13-54 These insights were validated and deepened through Fandom’s proprietary, first-party data from 2024 – more than 350 million monthly unique visitors, 45 million pages of content across 250,000 wikis. This methodology provides a 360-degree view of franchises and fan interest across the entertainment and gaming landscape through the eyes of Fandom.

 

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Cubeia goes live with its Poker 2.0 platform

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Cubeia, a Sweden-based iGaming software solutions provider, has launched its highly anticipated Poker 2.0 platform. The latest version features a state-of-the-art multi-threaded game engine written entirely in Java 21 and a new and improved graphical UI.

As a celebration, Cubeia’s Hybrid Poker Network is running a 4-week Beta Test Series, where players are encouraged to report any bugs they experience for a chance to earn rewards of up to $55 in tournament tickets. The new server engine is designed to easily handle player loads in the six-digit range and has future-proof capabilities, such as exposing a poker lobby API to other providers – given the right deal.

One of the many advantages that the server upgrade brings is its ease of feature implementation – thread safety is built-in, removing the need for developers to worry about implementing new platform features. The technical debt has dissipated facilitating updates to be performed quickly and efficiently.

This release comes at the perfect time as there are a number of operators lined up to launch during the remainder of the year. Cubeia is looking forward to not only expanding its poker network but also accommodating operator feature requests with greater agility.

Cubeia’s Head of Poker Simon Isbäck commented: “After about a year and a half worth of development, we can finally clap each other’s backs and be proud of what we’ve accomplished! On Thursday, I will be looking forward to hosting a huge launch party for the entire team! New features will drop faster than ever, and we’re looking forward to launching many industry-relevant features as well as some brand new ones. This is only the beginning!”

The post Cubeia goes live with its Poker 2.0 platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Spinomenal releases Wolf & Piggies Chase

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Leading iGaming content provider Spinomenal has released its latest game in its Adventures Series, Wolf & Piggies Chase. The two arch enemies meet again on a picturesque farmyard surrounded by rolling hills, smiling animals, and huge haystacks. A playful soundtrack ensures a jovial mood for all as players look for Golden Piggy Bank symbols to activate Free Spins.

Players who land on three Golden Piggy Bank symbols will be awarded 10 Free Spins. Four will award 15 Free Spins and five will award 20 Free Spins. In Free Spins only, the Wolf Wild can substitute for all other symbols except for the scattered Free Spins symbol.

Spinomenal’s Instant Cash feature comes into play every time the reel spins and the Instant Cash symbol will randomly show four possible values that are collected in Free Spins. Instant Cash symbols accumulate during the round before they increase the Free Spins metre at the top of the reels.

Once four Wild symbols are found, players will win 10 additional free spins and on all future spins until the free spins finish. It also means that the Small Instant Cash symbol (pays x2 or x5 of the total bet) transforms into a Medium Instant Cash symbol which pays out x10 or x15 of the total bet.

Eight Wild symbols found means players will collect six further free spins on all future spins until the free spins end. The Medium Instant Cash symbols turn into Large Instant Cash symbols, which pays out x20 or x25 of the total bet.

After securing 12 Wild symbols, players collect another four additional free spins and on all future spins until the free spins end. This then pushes players into the final level where the Huge Instant Cash symbol is engaged and pays either x50 or x2000 the total bet.

Spinomenal CO-CEO, Omer Henya commented: “Players will love this fun and feature-packed farm adventure. Wolf & Piggies Chase is a vibrant, colourful addition to our much-loved Adventures Series.”

The post Spinomenal releases Wolf & Piggies Chase appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Belatra releases explosive instant game Mummy’s Mines

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Belatra, a leading developer of innovative online slots, has released Mummy’s Mines, an instant game inspired by one of the studio’s most successful titles – Mummyland Treasures.

This version is an all-new instant game adventure that blends suspense, strategy, and ancient treasure-hunting excitement. Before diving into the action, players must select the battlefield: a 3×3, 4×4, or 5×5 grid. Then, it’s a choice on how many mines to face – more mines mean higher potential multipliers – the ultimate risk-reward quandary.

Mummy Mines is set within an eerie underground tomb surrounded by Egyptian artefacts. This fast-paced title challenges players to uncover hidden Scarabs, avoid deadly traps, and chase a glistening Jackpot.

Every successful tile revealed carries players further into the forgotten depths, where fortunes lie buried and danger lurks just beneath the surface. There is also a chance to unearth the special Jackpot Spin. When players uncover a Jackpot tile, a reel spins to determine their fate – landing on a Coin grants a bonus win, a Mine ends the game, and the coveted Jackpot symbol awards the full accumulated prize. As the jackpot value edges closer to its limit, the display starts flashing red, signalling that the treasure is almost ripe for the taking. If the pressure becomes too much, players can take the chance to cash out any accumulated winnings. Belatra’s newest title combines the unique atmosphere of Mummyland Treasures with fresh mechanics that deliver thrilling gameplay in every round.

Sergey Chernyavski, Belatra Games’ CCO, said: “Mummy’s Mines is an explosive hit that is a bold new entry in Belatra’s instant game lineup – offering quick games, big risks, and even bigger rewards. The game honours the charm of the original and players will love seeing the much-loved Mummy character in a new style of game.”

The post Belatra releases explosive instant game Mummy’s Mines appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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