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Games Consumer Insights

Player Peripheral
Brands invest in esports player partnerships to attract aspiring professionals
Trend - Computer peripheral brands are increasingly investing in partnerships with professional esports players. From branded mousepads to mice, these products claim to provide players with the same enhanced capabilities as their favorite players without years of training and practice.

Insight - Aspiring esports professionals often aim to elevate their competitive skills but face challenges finding dependable gear for practice. To meet this need, peripheral brands are teaming up with professional esports athletes, drawing on their insights to create high-performance peripherals and products tailored for aspiring players. These brands understand their audience's desire for tools that allow them to emulate their favorite pros and are aligning with this to incentivize repeat visits.
Workshop Question - How can your brand uniquely position itself to support its target customers' goals and aspirations?
6.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Cozy Technology
Gaming setups evolve into immersive personal sanctuaries
Trend - Tech companies and consumers are crafting immersive "digital cocoons" that blend physical comfort with technological engagement. This movement goes beyond basic workspace optimization, incorporating ambient lighting, textured accessories, and synchronized audio-visual elements to create complete sensory environments.

Insight - As traditional markers of stability and comfort become increasingly out of reach for younger generations, consumers are creating idealized microsanctuaries within their digital spaces. This reflects a deeper tension between the desire for domestic comfort and the challenges of achieving it in the physical world. Through games that simulate everyday achievements - from homeownership to farming to community building - and environments that mirror this digital coziness, individuals are crafting attainable versions of the comfort they seek.
Workshop Question - How could your brand enhance the sensory comfort of consumers' digital experiences?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Branded Controller
Brands are collaborating with hardware manufacturers on co-branded controllers
Trend - Brands from various industries, including non-gaming related ones, are collaborating with gaming hardware manufacturers on co-branded controllers. These controllers offer mutually-beneficial advertising for brands, while the unique designs function as statement pieces for the consumers.

Insight - Individuality and self-expression is a core priority for humans in general. Consumers do not want to have exactly what everyone else has, and instead are more likely to purchase products that reflect their own values or interests. This can materialize in the form of clothing and home decor, but also in terms of accessory and technology choices, with even earphones being a form of self-expression. To offer more expression options for gamers, brands are releasing co-branded game controllers.
Workshop Question - How can we partner with other industries to create unique, co-branded products that allow our customers to express their individuality?
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Antihero Gaming Controllers
Antihero Gaming Controllers
The Xbox Cheeky Controller is Said to Be Designed by Deadpool Himself
The Xbox Cheeky Controller has been shown off as a truly cheeky peripheral for use with the Microsoft Xbox Series X console for avid Deadpool fans alike to try and get their hands on. The peripheral... MORE
Musician-Approved Mobile Gamer Controllers
Musician-Approved Mobile Gamer Controllers
The Backbone x Post Malone Controller is Arriving Soon
The Backbone x Post Malone controller has been created as a new collaboration between the brand and the musician as an aftermarket accessory perfect for supporting entertainment from anywhere. The... MORE
Comic Anniversary Controllers
Comic Anniversary Controllers
CRKD is Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Hellboy with New Line
The Nitro Deck Hellboy Special Edition is a unique collaboration between CRKD and Dark Horse Comics, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Hellboy franchise. This special edition Nitro Deck... MORE
Tea Brand-Inspired Controllers
Tea Brand-Inspired Controllers
The POPeART and Yorkshire Tea Launch a Set of Themed Controllers
POPeART is introducing a unique and festive offering for tea-drinking gamers—the Yorkshire Tea PS5 and Xbox Series S/X controllers. The limited edition controllers feature the iconic Yorkshire Tea... MORE
play_circle_filledCo-Branded Game Controllers
Co-Branded Game Controllers
Sony and Team Asobi Launched an 'Astro Bot' Edition Dualsense
The Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense Wireless Controller, developed by Sony and Team Asobi, is designed to complement the upcoming Astro Bot game for the PlayStation 5. This controller features... MORE
Digital Console
Mainstream gaming consoles are doing away with disc drives in favor of downloads
Trend - Industry-leading gaming brands are releasing game consoles devoid of disc drives in favor of all-digital downloads. By foregoing the disc drive, brands can offer consoles at reduced prices, while game prices themselves can be lowered by not needing to mass-produce and distribute physical copies.

Insight - One of the largest reasons why a modern gamer may gravitate toward a console rather than a computer is due to convenience and simplicity. Game consoles are plug-and-play experiences that require no tinkering. Additionally, these consumers are drawn to the cost-effectiveness of consoles. Gaming brands are taking into account the priorities of convenience and cost-effectiveness and offering devices with lower prices and free of disc drives to provide savings and simplicity.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage the priorities of convenience and cost-effectiveness to enhance our offerings for customers?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Strikingly Minimalist Gaming Consoles
Strikingly Minimalist Gaming Consoles
The Microsoft Xbox Series S 1TB Carbon Black Arrives in Fall
The Microsoft Xbox Series S 1TB Carbon Black is a high-storage version of the gaming console ready to provide gamers with access to their favorite digital titles in a design-conscious way. The... MORE
play_circle_filledAnniversary-Celebrating Console Bundles
Anniversary-Celebrating Console Bundles
Sony Launched a PS5 Bundle with PS1-Inspired Designs
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the PlayStation brand, Sony has introduced a special collection of PlayStation 5 products. This collection includes limited edition versions of the PS5 Pro and... MORE
Ergonomic Pro-Grade Game Systems
Ergonomic Pro-Grade Game Systems
The Asus ROG Ally X Has the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor
The Asus ROG Ally X handheld gaming computer is a powerful piece of gear engineered with the needs of professional and passive players alike in mind to help them play from virtually anywhere. The... MORE
Slim Modular Consoles
Slim Modular Consoles
Sony's New PlayStation 5 is Thinner with a Detachable Disk Drive
Sony has announced a new version of its PlayStation 5 console that features a slimmer design and a removable disc drive. The new PS5 has the same internal hardware as the original model, but it has... MORE
play_circle_filledAll-Digital Consoles
All-Digital Consoles
Microsoft Announced the Digital Xbox Series X & S at the Xbox Games Showcase
During the annual Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft revealed all-digital Xbox Series X and S consoles as discless models that support the needs of digital-first players. Xbox president Sarah Bond... MORE
Inclusive Hairstyle
Video game developers increasingly invest in textured hair-centric initiatives
Trend - Game companies are launching efforts to enhance diversity and expand the variety of hairstyles in character customization. Focusing on Black hair textures and other historically underrepresented styles, these organizations aim to create a space where all players feel valued and represented equally.

Insight - Black gamers frequently struggle to find hair options that represent their natural textures and styles, a challenge that often stems from limited diversity in character customization menus. In response, gaming companies are investing in DEI initiatives to better reflect the full spectrum of player identities. Recognizing that representation is key to player satisfaction, these companies prioritize inclusivity, knowing that it strengthens player retention and garners positive community feedback.
Workshop Question - How can your brand ensure that its initiatives reflect and include a diverse range of identities?
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Developer Marketplace
Large software companies are offering asset marketplaces for game developers
Trend - Software companies in the gaming space are launching marketplaces designed for game developers. These marketplaces offer assets, such as 3D character models, audio tracks, or maps, to be purchased and licensed for use by other developers, aiming to streamline and decentralize game development.

Insight - Novice game developers could encounter any number of issues when entering the space based on their prior expertise. For example, those with an artistic background may have no trouble drawing their character models and maps, but may struggle with music or 3D animations, while the inverse may be true for another developer. In order to appeal to these developers and alleviate stress where it may arise, gaming software brands are launching marketplaces with licensable assets.
Workshop Question - How could your brand offer a solution to support professionals with varying skillsets via its products or services?
6.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Esports Betting
Esports companies increasingly invest in enhanced technologies for betting sites
Trend - Esports technology companies are increasingly investing in software to help consumers more accurately predict the outcomes of competitive gaming matches. These technologies, from data analytics to machine learning, allow users to make informed decisions when wagering on esports events.

Insight - As betting platforms gain traction within the growing esports industry, brands are seizing the opportunity to establish themselves as significant players in this untapped market. Many companies prioritize adopting cutting-edge technologies that attract and retain users, encouraging them to choose their platform over others. These brands understand that esports fanatics seek novelty in their experiences, making technological advancement key to differentiating themselves in this evolving space.
Workshop Question - How can your brand differentiate itself from competitors in new and emerging markets?
3.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Automotive Peripheral
Automotive and computer brands are partnering on co-branded products
Trend - Automotive brands are becoming increasingly involved in the consumer technology industry by releasing co-branded smartphones, computers, components, and accessories. These products come with the established credibility of both respective brands, leading to rapid growth within the space.

Insight - Brand identity plays a key factor for most consumers when searching for new products. Brands commonly regarded as household names often get preferential treatment when two products are perceived to be equal. For many consumers, this is true even for products outside of the respective companies' typical industries. In order to capitalize off the preference for established brands, automotive companies are partnering with consumer electronics companies on co-branded offerings in both spaces.
Workshop Question - How could your brand leverage co-branding partnerships across industries to enhance its brand credibility and reach new consumer segments?
7.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Inclusive Esports
Esports campaigns are adapted to appeal to neurodivergent and disabled gamers
Trend - As esports becomes a viable career option for experienced gamers, more competitive opportunities are emerging for disabled and neurodivergent gamers. These tournaments champion diversity, fostering an inclusive environment where all gamers can showcase their skills.

Insight - As the esports landscape becomes increasingly competitive, gamers with disabilities often desire opportunities that allow them to get involved while receiving necessary accommodations. In response, esports organizations are introducing new tournament formats and player pools catered to these groups, aiming to diversify the competitive space and champion inclusion. Businesses focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in esports can attract marginalized communities eager to join these spaces.
Workshop Question - How can your brand cater its product/service to a marginalized group?
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Clamshell Resurgence
Handheld devices with foldable designs are gaining popularity for nostalgia
Trend - Independent handheld gaming device manufacturers are creating devices with clamshell designs, screens that fold closed when not in use, for nostalgic appeal. These devices protect their own screens, not requiring a case or screen protector, while enhancing ergonomic comfort with viewing angles.

Insight - Many consumers of today recall when gaming devices were focused on compact sizes, portability, and unique designs. Gaming handhelds from the 90s and 2000s were often made of plastic, featured clamshell designs, and were limited to simple games. Today, handheld gaming has evolved to shrunken-down full-blown computers. However, many older gamers do not resonate with this type of gaming, and yearn for the simplicity of retro games. Companies are addressing these desires with clamshell devices.
Workshop Question - How can we incorporate nostalgic elements into our product design to cater to consumers' longing for simpler, retro experiences?
7.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends