MMORPG Games Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Report Covers Global MMO Gamers Market Revenue Share & Industry Growth and it is Segmented by Gaming Platform (Mobile, Tablet, Gaming Console, PC), and Geography.

MMORPG Market Size

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MMORPG Gaming Market Summary
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Study Period 2019 - 2029
Market Size (2024) USD 25.34 Billion
Market Size (2029) USD 42.22 Billion
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 10.75 %
Fastest Growing Market Latin America
Largest Market Asia Pacific

Major Players

MMORPG Gaming Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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MMORPG Market Analysis

The MMORPG Gaming Market size is estimated at USD 25.34 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 42.22 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 10.75% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The MMORPG market will likely benefit from technological advancements, including improved graphics, more powerful hardware, and faster internet speeds. These advancements can enhance the gaming experience, increasing player engagement and retention.

  • MMORPGs offer a unique social experience, allowing players to interact and collaborate with others in a virtual world. In an increasingly connected world, MMORPGs provide a platform for individuals to connect with like-minded players, form friendships, and build communities. The sense of belonging and social interaction offered by MMORPGs appeals to many players, especially those seeking social connections and a sense of community.
  • MMORPGs often feature extensive progression systems, where players can level up their characters, acquire powerful gear, and unlock new abilities. This long-term progression and associated sense of achievement can be advantageous for players. The journey of character development, the pursuit of rare items, and overcoming challenging obstacles provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
  • As internet connectivity becomes more widespread and accessible worldwide, more people have the means to connect and engage in online gaming experiences. The growth of internet penetration, particularly in emerging markets, expands the potential player base for MMORPGs. For instance, according to the DataReportal, Ireland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates currently hold the top four spots in the list of nations with the highest internet penetration rates, each recording 99 percent as of January 2023. As of July 2022, 64.4 percent of people worldwide were using the Internet.
  • The rise of eSports and competitive gaming has increased the popularity of MMORPGs. MMORPGs incorporating competitive elements, such as player-versus-player battles and guild wars, attract players who enjoy competitive gaming and spectating eSports events. The growth of eSports has further fueled the demand for MMORPGs.
  • MMORPGs rely heavily on player retention and engagement to sustain their player base and generate revenue. However, keeping players engaged in MMORPGs over the long term can be challenging due to factors like burnout, competing game releases, and changing player preferences. If players become disengaged or move on to other games, it can impact the growth of MMORPGs.
  • With the outbreak of COVID-19, the market witnessed positive growth with the increasing popularity of online multiplayer games, as people stayed at home for the maximum time due to lockdowns being imposed by various governments and keeping safe from being affected. The mobile platform is witnessing a significant increase in consumer engagement with mobile-based gaming, especially in mobile-first markets, such as Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. According to Verizon, the usage of gaming apps rose 75% week-over-week during April 2020 and is expected to increase further.

MMORPG Market Trends

Rising Smartphone Penetration and Increasing Penetration of Internet among Developing Economies may Drive the Market Growth

  • With the increasing penetration of smartphones, more people have access to mobile devices capable of running MMORPG games. Smartphones have become ubiquitous, reaching a broader demographic of players, including those who may not have access to gaming consoles or PCs. Smartphones' ease of access and portability enable players to engage with MMORPGs anytime and anywhere, contributing to market growth.
  • MMORPG gaming has exploded in the past couple of years, especially on mobile platforms like smartphones and tablets. This growing demand for mobile-based gaming is a direct result of the multiple technological advancements in the market, such as AR, VR, cloud gaming, and 5G. This trend considers that the mobile gaming platform industry primarily relies on new technology. Another trend in the market includes the rise of the hyper-casual game genre.
  • The release of 5G and unlimited data plans is also expected to be key factors toward the success of cloud gaming globally, as most gamers currently prefer games on mobile devices. The increasing services and investment in 5G infrastructure are also vital to this success. According to Ericsson, globally, 5 billion 5G subscriptions are anticipated by the end of 2028, representing 55% of all mobile subscriptions, and 5G subscription uptake is likely to be more rapid than that of 4G following its launch, with 5G estimated to achieve 1 billion subscriptions two years sooner than 4G.
  • MMORPG games are being provided on the Android platform, which is expected to gain significant traction in the mobile-based gaming platform in the forecasted period. People prefer more paid application MMORPG games on the Andriod platform. For instance, old-school RuneScape for mobile devices has gained a lot of traction and is one of the significant MMORPGs on Mobile, where charges range from USD 10.99 per month to USD 99.99 per year.
  • All the MMORPG game-developing companies are releasing their products for mobile phones due to their market potential. For example, Ashfall, a shooter MMORPG from NetEase, has been released. Ashfall, formerly known as Project 56, would be launched on PCs and mobile devices in 2023.
  • While multiple gaming options are available for smartphones, the screen size might be too limiting to get an immersive gaming experience. A gaming tablet has been an excellent product for consumers who want to enjoy games on the go but want the option of a larger screen. Multiple gaming phones are available and more portable than a tablet. However, the bigger screen, much more battery life, and excellent processing power of the tablets have been the most important factors for their growth in the market.
MMORPG Gaming Market: 5G Mobile Subscriptions, Size in Billion, Global, 2019-2028

Asia Pacific is Expected to Witness Significant Growth Rates

  • The Asia-Pacific region has a robust gaming culture with a long history of enthusiasm for video games. Gaming is deeply embedded in the culture, and players are strongly associated with online multiplayer experiences. This cultural foundation has created a receptive audience for MMORPGs, driving their popularity and growth in the region.
  • The Asia-Pacific region has a significant population, including countries like China and India, with billions of people. This large population provides a substantial MMORPG player base, creating massive market potential. The sheer number of potential players fuels the growth of the MMORPG gaming market in the region.
  • Also, the Asia-Pacific region has been at the forefront of technological advancements, particularly in internet infrastructure and mobile technology. High-speed internet connectivity and the proliferation of smartphones have made it easier for players to access and engage with MMORPGs. The availability of advanced technology supports the growth of the MMORPG market in the region.
  • Mobile gaming has seen explosive growth in the Asia-Pacific region. The convenience and portability of smartphones, coupled with the availability of affordable data plans, have made mobile gaming accessible to a wide range of players. As MMORPG developers adapt their games for mobile platforms, the popularity of mobile MMORPGs contributes to the overall growth of the market in the region.
  • According to the Publishers Association of China's Game Committee and the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association, the number of mobile gamers in China increased between 2014 and 2019 before reaching a peak of about 656 million in 2021, slightly declining in 2022. However, mobile gamers in 2022 were recorded at around 654.86 million. Such a significant size would considerably benefit various MMORPG vendors across the region.
MMORPG Gaming Market - Growth Rate by Region

MMORPG Industry Overview

The MMORPG gaming market is fragmented in nature and comprises many global and regional players. These gaming developers are investing more in research and development activities to offer new solutions for gamers. The companies are also entering into strategic partnerships and other organic & inorganic growth strategies to earn a competitive edge.

In February 2023, the upcoming MMO Throne and Liberty from NCSoft was announced to be available to Western and Japanese players owing to a partnership between NCSoft and Amazon Games. The game will be released via Amazon in North America, South America, Europe, and Japan. It debuts on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC at an indeterminate time.

In November 2022, Sony, a Japan-based electronics provider, and NCSoft, a South Korea-based videogame developer, announced a partnership to create the Horizon MMORPG. As part of Sony's drive into live service games, the South Korean studio will complete the project behind the Lineage and Guild Wars MMO series and be marketed to a global audience.

In March 2022, The release of Dungeon & Fighter Mobile in Korea was announced by NEXON Co. Ltd, a global player in virtual worlds. The new game expands Dungeon & Fighter's arcade action and enjoyment to mobile, the gaming industry's fastest-growing platform. On one of eight servers that can accommodate a total of one million players concurrently, the players first choose a character.

MMORPG Market Leaders

  1. Activision Blizzard, Inc.

  2. Electronic Arts Inc.

  3. Ubisoft Entertainment SA

  4. Nexon Co., Ltd.

  5. Tencent Holdings Limited

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

MMORPG Gaming Market Concentration
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MMORPG Market News

  • January 2023: The development team behind Search for Animera, a web3-native massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), announced the game's launch on ImmutableX, the go-to Ethereum platform for creating and scaling web3 games. By partnering with ImmutableX and utilizing its platform for the project's infrastructure, the developers of Animera can make sure that users may benefit from the simplicity of quick transactions, free mining, and trade, as well as the strength of Ethereum's built-in security.
  • September 2022: The mobile MMORPG Dekaron G, developed by ThumbAge's subsidiary Unsigned Games, has been made public. The mobile game Dekaron M, which was based on the first-generation Korean PC MMORPG Dekaron, has a global release called Dekaron G. Dekaron G will be released by ThumbAge across Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.
  • June 2022: BitCraft, a community sandbox massively multiplayer online role-playing game, is being developed by Clockwork Labs, a prominent game studio, with USD 22 million in funding. In addition to growing the staff in other areas, Clockwork Labs anticipates attracting engineering and game programming talent.
  • May 2022: Gravity Co Ltd, a global game company, officially launched its new 3D MMORPG, 'Ragnarok V: Returns,' in the Oceanic region. The game, with cross-play functionality, was released on iOS, Android, and PC. A multi-platform MMORPG, Ragnarok V: Returns is the sequel to 'Ragnarok: Valkyrie Uprising,' which has been played by more than five million global users.

MMORPG Market Report - Table of Contents

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    1. 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition

    2. 1.2 Scope of the Study

  2. 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

  3. 3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  4. 4. MARKET INSIGHTS

    1. 4.1 Market Overview

    2. 4.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis

    3. 4.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 4.3.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      2. 4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers

      3. 4.3.3 Threat of New Entrants

      4. 4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products

      5. 4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

    4. 4.4 Assessment of Impact of the Covid-19 on the Market

  5. 5. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 5.1 Market Drivers

      1. 5.1.1 Rising Smartphone Penetration and Increasing Penetration of Internet among Developing Economies

      2. 5.1.2 Technological Advancement such as IoT, AR, and VR

      3. 5.1.3 Emergence of Gamification

    2. 5.2 Market Challenges

      1. 5.2.1 Hardware and Connectivity Issue

      2. 5.2.2 Fraudulent Gaming Activities

  6. 6. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 6.1 Gaming Platform

      1. 6.1.1 Mobile

      2. 6.1.2 Tablet

      3. 6.1.3 Gaming Console

      4. 6.1.4 PC

    2. 6.2 Geography

      1. 6.2.1 North America

        1. 6.2.1.1 United States

        2. 6.2.1.2 Canada

      2. 6.2.2 Europe

        1. 6.2.2.1 United Kingdom

        2. 6.2.2.2 Germany

        3. 6.2.2.3 France

        4. 6.2.2.4 Italy

        5. 6.2.2.5 Russia

        6. 6.2.2.6 Rest of Europe

      3. 6.2.3 Asia Pacific

        1. 6.2.3.1 China

        2. 6.2.3.2 India

        3. 6.2.3.3 Japan

        4. 6.2.3.4 South Korea

        5. 6.2.3.5 Rest of Asia Pacific

      4. 6.2.4 Latin America

        1. 6.2.4.1 Brazil

        2. 6.2.4.2 Mexico

        3. 6.2.4.3 Argentina

        4. 6.2.4.4 Rest of Latin America

      5. 6.2.5 Middle East and Africa

        1. 6.2.5.1 United Arab Emirates

        2. 6.2.5.2 Saudi Arabia

        3. 6.2.5.3 South Africa

        4. 6.2.5.4 Rest of Middle East and Africa

  7. 7. COMPANY PROFILES

    1. 7.1 Company Profiles*

      1. 7.1.1 Activision Blizzard Inc.

      2. 7.1.2 Electronic Arts Inc.

      3. 7.1.3 Ubisoft Entertainment SA

      4. 7.1.4 NCSOFT Corporation

      5. 7.1.5 Giant Interactive Group Inc.

      6. 7.1.6 Tencent Holdings Limited

      7. 7.1.7 Amazon Game Studios

      8. 7.1.8 Nexon Co. Ltd.

      9. 7.1.9 Jagex Limited

      10. 7.1.10 Bright Star Studios

      11. 7.1.11 Daybreak Game Company

      12. 7.1.12 CCP games UK Ltd

      13. 7.1.13 Neteasegames Inc.

      14. 7.1.14 Aeria Games

      15. 7.1.15 Gravity Corporation

  8. *List Not Exhaustive
  9. 8. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS

  10. 9. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

**Subject to Availability
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MMORPG Industry Segmentation

Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) gaming can be defined as a genre of video games that combines elements of role-playing games (RPGs) and online multiplayer functionality. In MMORPGs, players assume the roles of characters within a virtual world, where they interact with many other players, often simultaneously, in a persistent online environment. The Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) gaming market tracks the adoption of different MMORPG games played through various gaming platforms such as mobile, tablet, gaming consoles, and PC. The study also spots down the existing gaming developer landscape, which consists of major players operating in the market.

The MMORPG Gaming Market is Segmented by Gaming Platform (Mobile, Tablet, Gaming Console, PC) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD billion) for all the above segments.

Gaming Platform
Mobile
Tablet
Gaming Console
PC
Geography
North America
United States
Canada
Europe
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Italy
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Argentina
Rest of Latin America
Middle East and Africa
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Rest of Middle East and Africa
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MMORPG Market Research FAQs

The MMORPG Gaming Market size is expected to reach USD 25.34 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 10.75% to reach USD 42.22 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the MMORPG Gaming Market size is expected to reach USD 25.34 billion.

Activision Blizzard, Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Nexon Co., Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Limited are the major companies operating in the MMORPG Gaming Market.

Latin America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).

In 2024, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in MMORPG Gaming Market.

In 2023, the MMORPG Gaming Market size was estimated at USD 22.88 billion. The report covers the MMORPG Gaming Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the MMORPG Gaming Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

MMORPG Industry Report

Statistics for the 2024 MMORPG market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligenceā„¢ Industry Reports. MMORPG analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

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MMORPG Games Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)