Closing of online gamesThe last two years were marked by the mass closure of browser and client multiplayer online games. According to the data collected can be traced disturbing dynamics and numbers makes you wonder. Portal Statistics says that about 25% of the games, which two years ago worked fine at the moment is closed. As a result - the mass of players were forced to say goodbye to their virtual characters and game empires. All that is acquired by "overwork" at one point disappeared as if she had never existed at all. Many of these games have become inaccessible or simply redirect the players in other projects. According to our statistics, a few years ago closed only a few game projects . Over the years, closing games is becoming more widespread.
Here are some examples of recently closed online games owned by large market players online:
The decline of the online games industryWhat is the reason for this sudden change? Glut in the market peaked or is still to come?
With these questions, we turned to Eugene S. - specialist and director of the company, which is engaged in the promotion and website promotion in the Russian segment of the Internet.
PW: Hello, Eugene! You are engaged in the promotion of online games on the market?
E.S.: Yes, among the projects which we have been promoting, there are online games. In total, we have been promoting for over 20 games.
PW: Recently, many online games have become increasingly close. Only in the past two years has closed about 25% of games. What do you think the current trend is related?
E.S.: Definitely - with competition and lack of funds. Strictly speaking, the negative trend beginning tracked since 2007 . And now this trend is gaining momentum . Let us try to grasp the essence of the problem. Russia's population - about 140 million people. Of these, about 50% - up Internet users , which is about - 75 million people. Of these, less than half of play , or ever played online games (numbers vary, but not essential ) . Ie potential players no more than 35 million people all together games ( including the client , browser , multiple casual , social games and gambling ) . Online games are most preferred customers of Moscow and St. Petersburg , as they are more consistent. They constitute about 10-20 % of the audience (about 5 million people). That is only 5 million players a few thousand existing games . Given that serious gamers edinomomentno play only one game - it is certainly very little. It turns out that somewhere - a lot, but somewhere - empty. And more - " empty " .
Of course, the protracted economic crisis also seriously aggravated the situation . People ( in this case - the players ) now has less money , and entertainment they spent less readily than , say, 2008.
Competition occurs throughout. Mainly reflected in the cost of advertising, the complexity of search engine promotion, SMO.
PW: Do you think whether the negative tendency will remain?
E.S.: I think that in the coming years - yes. Alas, the cost of maintaining and promoting online games only grow and incomes - are reduced.
PW: That is now not the best time to open new online games?
E.S.: Yeah, not the best . Despite the closure of many old projects , the market is flooded with new (some began to be developed before the crisis ) . I think that many of them, alas, waiting decline. Total number of games is growing. Because of the abundance of games gamers have become increasingly move from playing the game , turning from the hardcore players spectators travelers games. And if they do not stay for a long time and do not play seriously, and pay less Donato per game. The costs from gaming companies for the maintenance , development has not diminished , and promotion (advertising , promotion , etc.) , as I said , only increased.
Expert words confirmed our statistics on closed games. Unfortunately for the online gaming industry fell on hard times now.
