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3.5 Billion ‘Gamers’ Globally by 2024, but Cloud Gaming Must Evaluate Business Models in Order to Survive

Published

6 years ago

July 17, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Report by ABI Research and InterDigital confirms cloud gaming providers should favor subscription-based pricing models to take advantage of market potential
A new report from ABI Research has found almost half of the expected population in 2024 will be gamers. To take advantage of this huge market potential, telecommunications companies, internet service providers (ISPs), and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must evaluate different business models to determine whether the service will succeed or fail.

Commissioned by InterDigital, the report “Cloud gaming: Enabling a next generation gaming and streaming paradigm” states that the video gaming market is now among the largest entertainment industries in the world. Currently, more than 2.3 billion individuals play video games, and the number of gamers is expected to grow substantially over the next four years to more than 3.5 billion gamers by 2024. The Asia-Pacific region represents the largest gaming base with 51% of the worldwide total. The Americas, at roughly 20% of the player base, represent the second largest revenue opportunity.

The report suggests that for cloud gaming operators to capitalize on this growing industry, they must evaluate their business models while the market is in the early stages of its life cycle. Over-the top media services, like online video streaming, offer the most pragmatic and consumer-friendly option thanks to monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription plans. Consumers favor unlimited subscription plans over time-based payment plans, even if they end up paying more than what they would on a usage payment plan.

Subscription models are also intended to shape user behavior. A parallel can be drawn with mobile data, where caps were implemented to increase revenue, but also to dictate usage. While usage-based fees are less popular, they could prove to be the optimal strategy for market players in early cloud gaming days, especially when it might be challenging to convert the core gaming audience from gaming PCs and consoles.

Furthermore, the future of cloud gaming doesn’t solely lie in traditional video games. According to the report, there are increasing opportunities for market players to add gaming elements to non-gaming activities and content. Gamification can increase flexibility in delivery and consumption, opening new use cases and applications, such as within workplace collaboration tools and fitness applications. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) also have inherent synergy with gaming and, more specifically, with cloud gaming.

“The cloud gaming market is rapidly growing, and it’s clear those who act now will capitalize on this opportunity. But these players need to act fast if they want to take advantage of everything this exciting market has to offer,” said Laurent Depersin, R&I Senior Lab Director at InterDigital. “As developments in 5G and Wi-Fi penetrate the mainstream, enabling more products and services to become gamified, we’ll see Gaming-as-a-Service (GaaS) really come to life—pulling in new gamers, and encouraging existing ones to make the transition to the cloud, thanks to its user friendly business model. For cloud gaming and GaaS to succeed, players need to ensure they deliver both the right business model and the right user experience to drive mainstream adoption.”

To access the full report ‘Cloud gaming: Enabling a next generation gaming and streaming paradigm’ please click here.

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

2 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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