Do not index
Do not index
The year 2023 will mark a major milestone for the global games market. According to Newzoo, the total number of players in 2023 is projected to surpass the three-billion mark. However, as competition becomes fiercer and players become pickier about where they spend their time and money, it is crucial for game developers to have a proactive approach to community engagement and moderation to be successful in 2023. Ultimately, keeping players safe and fostering the right gaming environment is a must to deliver an exceptional gaming experience.
So, what should gaming firms expect when handling the crowd? Let’s take a look at the top three trends:
Cross-platform gaming
One of the key trends for 2023 is the increasing importance of cross-platform gaming — the ability of players using different hardware to play with each other simultaneously. With technology improving and more platforms becoming available, cross-platform play is becoming the standard. This means that players no longer have to stick to the communities on the platform they choose and can instead play together despite being on different platforms. This makes it even more important for game developers to have a solid approach to managing their communities as the complexity of cross-platform play increases.
Safe environments for underage players
Another important trend in community management is the need to provide a safe environment for underage players. One example of this is the recent launch of “cabined accounts” by Epic Games. With this feature, all players globally will be asked to provide their date of birth at log in. If someone indicates they are under 13 or their country’s age of digital consent, whichever is higher, their account will be a Cabined Account and they will be asked to provide a parent or guardian’s email address to begin the parental consent process. While waiting for consent, players will still be able to play the game with full access to previously purchased or earned content, but in a tailored environment where certain features, such as chat and purchasing, are disabled.
Being inclusive with minorities and marginalized communities
In addition to providing a safe environment for underage players, it is also important for game developers to create an inclusive gaming environment, particularly for marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community. For instance, 10% of gamers identify as LGBTQ+ Therefore, game developers should take a more inclusive approach in their game design and community management in order to appeal to a more diverse audience and not just the stereotype gamer.
Conclusion
All in all, game community and moderation trends for 2023 in the video games industry emphasize providing a safe and inclusive environment for players, proactively engaging and managing communities, and adapting to the increasing complexity of cross-platform play. Game developers who can successfully navigate these trends will be well positioned for success in the highly competitive and rapidly growing videogame market.
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