The majority of mobile developers are actively building new games, Sandsoft finds

Despite facing an industry landscape marked by uncertainty and a wave of layoffs, a significant portion of mobile developers remains focused on creating new games. A recent survey conducted by Sandsoft reveals that a staggering 81% of mobile developers are actively working on new titles. This data, collected through the Publisher Perception Report in collaboration with Atomik Research, provides a comprehensive look at the current state of mobile game development across the U.S., Spain, and France, where 454 developers with over five years of industry experience were interviewed. Notably, 70% of these developers are employed at studios with more than 50 employees, indicating that even large development teams are keenly engaged in launching fresh projects.

The survey highlights that about 60% of developers working on new games are currently in the prototyping phase, while a third are market testing their concepts, and the remaining developers have already soft-launched their projects. This demonstrates a strong pipeline of upcoming games, despite the broader challenges facing the industry.

However, while there is optimism around these new developments, the current market environment is not without its difficulties. The report indicates that approximately half of the developers surveyed expect further layoffs in the gaming sector, with two-thirds expressing concerns about their own job security. A notable 44% of developers believe that the recent wave of layoffs is largely due to over-hiring or mismanagement within companies. This awareness of industry challenges is shaping developers’ perspectives on the value that publishers bring to the table.

In this context of uncertainty, mobile developers are increasingly critical of the value publishers offer. Opinions on publishers are divided; about a third of developers believe that publishers provide a valuable service, while 27% feel that publishers often take more than they give. In contrast, there is a strong consensus around the positive role of unionization, with 60% of developers holding favorable views on the matter, compared to a mere 3% who view unions negatively. This indicates a growing desire for collective support and representation within the industry.

The Sandsoft report also sheds light on why developers choose to work with publishers. Unsurprisingly, the terms of the deal are the most critical factor, with two-fifths of developers citing this as their top consideration. Other important factors include a publisher’s capabilities, reputation, and access to capital. Moreover, the report highlights the significance of diversity within publishing teams, with 88% of developers stating that a publisher’s diverse team is an important consideration.

On the flip side, developers who opt for self-publishing cite disagreements over deal terms, loss of creative control, difficulty finding the right partner, and the potential sacrifice of revenue share as key reasons for their decision. Even after a publishing deal is secured, developers place high value on services such as marketing support, strategic advice, and access to capital.

Localization and culturalization also play a crucial role in the decision-making process, with half of the developers surveyed expressing a preference for regional publishing deals over a single global deal. This trend is not limited to emerging markets; a significant 84% of developers have considered publishing deals to reach gamers in top-tier Western markets.