Welcome back to our Expert Insights blog series with Caglar Eger, the CEO of exmox. In this monthly series, Caglar leverages his 10 years of experience to share his thoughts and knowledge on the gaming and ad tech industries. In today’s post he shares his takeaways from one of the top gaming events of the year, Gamescom.
Gamescom 2024
I’ve been going to Gamescom since 2013, and this was my 3rd time attending with Exmox. I’ve always loved how the conference blends the consumer side with business opportunities. This year it was exciting as always with so many cool game releases – I’m really looking forward to playing Monument Valley 3 from Ustwo Games, and Honkai: Star Rail & Zenless Zone Zero from HoYoverse!
It’s awesome to see Gamescom bouncing back to its pre-COVID glory, with way more people attending. In fact, there were 335,000 visitors this year, including 32,000 business attendees, making it the biggest gaming conference in the world.
Current Status of the Mobile Gaming Industry
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the mobile gaming industry over the past years. We’ve seen some ups and downs, with layoffs happening and a general sense that the outlook isn’t as rosy as it once was. But what really stands out to me is just how incredibly innovative this industry continues to be.
Despite the challenges, the mobile gaming world is always adaptable and constantly keeping up with the latest trends, pushing new developments, and exploring every possible opportunity that comes its way.
It’s clear that the landscape is always shifting rapidly. But that’s also part of what makes this industry so exciting. You have to stay on your toes and be ready to adapt at a moment’s notice if you want to stay ahead of the game. And honestly, that’s where mobile gaming truly shines. The ability to pivot quickly and embrace change is practically built into its DNA.
So I’m actually really optimistic about what lies ahead. The industry has always been full of surprises, and I have no doubt that it will continue to evolve. Whether it’s new technology, creative gameplay, or entirely new ways to connect with players, the future of mobile gaming is looking bright. And I am excited to see where it goes next!
Highlights
One of the best parts of going to Gamescom, or conferences in general, is getting to connect with people from the industry. Whether I’m catching up with old friends, spending time with our partners, or meeting new people, these events are all about building relationships. There’s something special about being surrounded by others who share the same interests and passion. I love hearing what everyone’s been up to and learning from each other.
For me, conferences are as much about the people as they are about the content. It’s a chance to reconnect, make new friends, and be part of a community that’s always moving forward.
I also participated in a panel organized by the Video Game Bar Association in which we discussed current trends in M&A. It looks like VC investments in the gaming industry have slowed down recently. However, private equity funds are starting to make their move slowly but steadily, which could bring in a new wave of investments. Interestingly, we’re also likely to see a shift in gaming platforms, with more money going into PC games rather than mobile ones.
Another trend that came up is that valuations in the gaming sector aren’t as inflated as they used to be. Founders are becoming more realistic about their company’s worth, which might lead to more balanced and sustainable growth in the industry. Overall, while the investment landscape is changing, there’s still a lot of interest in gaming – just with a bit more caution and focus.
Gamescom 2024 was a top highlight of my year, and I’m already looking forward to next time!
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