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Ultra's PC Gamer Study unveils a noteworthy trend in PC gaming, highlighting that only 36% of gamers choose to purchase titles at full price. This shift, based on survey responses from over 2,000 participants, emphasizes the growing preference for discounted and free-to-play games. With three out of four respondents expressing concerns about the high cost of triple-A titles, the study indicates a surge in interest towards indie games. Impressively, 75% of gamers are open to purchasing digital indie titles, with motivations ranging from lower price points to a desire for creativity and exploration.
As the gaming landscape adapts, the study sheds light on changing purchasing patterns, with 68% of respondents investing in in-game content like battle passes. Nicolas Gilot, Co-CEO at Ultra, emphasizes the practical implications, stating, “This offers invaluable insight for developers, publishers, and platforms." Despite the positive outlook for indie games, the study highlights a challenge regarding the awareness of alternative storefronts. Steam and Epic Games Store dominate, while less than 20% of respondents are familiar with alternatives like GamesPlanet, GOG, and Humble Store. Steam is the "most familiar" PC game store, followed by Epic Games Store. However, discoverability remains a challenge, with 36% of respondents struggling to find new PC games. YouTube (38%), word of mouth (34%), and Steam promotions (18%) are influential channels for game discovery, while other platforms like Twitch surpass traditional avenues.
Ultra describes itself as the first-of-its-kind entertainment platform providing all key game industry services and countless centralized and decentralized apps under one roof, accessible through a single login. David Hanson, Founder and CEO of Ultra, along with Co-CEO Nicolas Gilot, previously worked closely with Fortune 100 tech titan AMD in delivering a hardware games console and games distribution software platform in China while leading a large team and a 120 million dollar budget.
Hanson’s vision is to deliver a full-stack blockchain solution that includes a fast, feeless layer 1 blockchain that is certified carbon neutral, an app ecosystem, a groundbreaking NFT standard, and an NFT marketplace. In addition to Ultra Games, Ultra’s flagship “killer app” which is built from the ground up as a self-service publishing platform to disrupt Valve’s Goliath PC games distribution platform, Steam. Since its inception in 2018, Ultra has built up an impressive roster of partnerships including AMD, Ubisoft, Theta, and The Sandbox. Over 170 publishers and developers have already committed to having their games distributed on the Ultra Games Platform.
Addressing the concerns raised by gamers in the survey, Ultra plans to introduce a "new era of game ownership". This feature aligns with the desire for discounts, the appeal of indie games, and the need for fresh experiences. The Ultra PC Gamer Study provides a nuanced understanding of a market shaped by price sensitivity. As the gaming industry matures, these insights offer a pragmatic guide for developers and publishers navigating the evolving preferences of PC gamers. The full report, scheduled for release in January 2024, promises a more in-depth exploration of the trends shaping the future of PC gaming.
