After a record year of video game sales, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick reveals what he thinks is coming next for the gaming industry and why esports is about to become even bigger than before.
Earlier this week at the Barclays Center, 74 men and 1 woman got the chance to live out a dream — they became professional competitive gamers.
According to research firm Newzoo, esports is projected to generate $1.1 billion in revenue in 2019, marking the first year the industry would reach the billion-dollar mark. Ultimately, Zelnick believes that esports leagues like NBA 2K will boost the video game industry as a whole. For example, Tencent-owned Riot Games'"League of Legends" events still draw huge numbers of viewers, with last year's World Championship finals attracting nearly 100 million unique viewers who watched the match . This while Epic Games'"Fortnite" also continues to dominate online viewership, both recreational and competitively.
This despite the fact that some analysts believe game revenues could be set to decline. Back in January, London-based research firm owner Pelham Smithers forecast that video game revenue is headed for its first decline since 1995 on the back of tightening regulations in China, a shortage of big console hits in 2019 and waning player enthusiasm for battle royale titles like"Fortnite."
"Microtransactions is spending, and that's a reflection in our view of engagement," he said, adding that they often are a result of"making the highest quality enttertainment" that"[engages] the customer."
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