Buona la Prima - Episode 72

Pietro Faccio and Gustav Nisser of Buona la Prima take us into their world dedicated to the video game industry, analyzing some interesting data to understand how the sector is changing.

The podcast Buona la Prima is a partner of Biunivoca.

Are video games really in crisis?

The video game market is going through a complex phase, characterized by strong competition, a growing number of new releases, and difficulties in finding space and visibility. Starting from a collection of data on the industry, Pietro and Gustav discuss the main challenges that developers and studios face today.

One of the central themes concerns live services, video games designed to evolve over time through updates and new content. This model can guarantee recurring revenue and greater economic stability, but the market has limited capacity to support an ever-increasing number of titles competing for player attention.

How do you get noticed in a saturated market?

The number of video games published continues to increase. On Steam, according to data cited during the conversation, new releases have increased from approximately 14,000 in 2023 to 21,000 in 2025.

In this scenario, the challenge is not only developing a good game, but also reaching your audience. Platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok, along with creators and online communities, are playing an increasingly important role in the discovery of new titles.

For independent studios, this means learning to communicate their project, building relationships with creators, and developing marketing strategies that go beyond simple publication on digital stores.

Is it better to focus on a niche?

Another interesting topic concerns the possibility for independent studios to find space through highly specialized projects.
Instead of trying to reach the widest possible audience, focusing on a specific niche can help build a loyal community and stand out from the competition.

The strategy obviously depends on the type of game: a survival title in Early Access can grow along with its community over time, while a shorter narrative adventure might require a marketing campaign focused on the launch.

What opportunities are there for those who want to work in the sector?

The conversation also addresses the topic of employment.
The number of people who want to work in the video game industry is high, while the available opportunities are not always able to absorb all the candidates.
The layoffs of recent years have also brought experienced professionals back onto the market, increasing competition.

In this context, passion remains important, but it is not enough on its own.
You need solid skills, the ability to communicate them, and a portfolio that concretely demonstrates what you're capable of achieving.

The video game industry continues to offer creative and professional opportunities, but requires an increasingly in-depth knowledge of the market, development processes, and the strategies needed to reach your audience.

Watch the episode of Buona la Prima and discover Pietro Faccio and Gustav Nisser's reflections on the video game market, the difficulties of independent studios, and the prospects for those who want to work in the video game industry.

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