Strategy Games Market Report 2025

The strategy games market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $16.37 billion in 2024 to $17.86 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased interest in multiplayer and competitive gaming, expanded gaming demographics, increased focus on cross-platform play, increased focus on multiplayer and esports, and the rise of streaming and content creation.

The strategy games market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $25.37 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising player population, growing trend towards mobile gaming, growing popularity of board game cafes, rising popularity of cooperative games, and growing need for face-to-face contact. Major trends in the forecast period include artificial intelligence (AI) advancements, cross-genre exploration, strategy games as educational tools, the integration of real-world themes, and innovation and diversity in game design.

The forecast of 9.2% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.2% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariffs on printed game components and miniatures from manufacturing hubs like China could impact supply chains and pricing for strategy board game makers. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing popularity of eSports is expected to drive the expansion of the strategy games market. eSports involves organized video gaming competitions that are broadcast to spectators, replicating the excitement of professional sporting events. The rise of eSports is fueled by its expanding global audience, increased professionalization of teams and players, substantial prize pools, and widespread accessibility through streaming platforms. Strategy games play a crucial role in eSports by offering complex, skill-based challenges that promote tactical thinking, teamwork, and long-term player engagement, making them well-suited for competitive tournaments. For example, in 2023, the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, an Australia-based trade association, reported that video game participation in Australia increased from 67% (17 million players) in 2021 to 81% (21 million players) in 2023. As a result, the rising popularity of eSports is driving the growth of the strategy games market.

Leading companies in the strategy games market are focusing on innovative solutions, such as mobile game sets, to meet the demand for accessible, on-the-go gaming experiences and to reach a broader audience across various demographics. A mobile game set includes in-game items, assets, or features such as characters, levels, or skins, enhancing gameplay with themed content and challenges. For instance, in October 2024, CCP Games, an Iceland-based video game company, launched EVE Galaxy Conquest, a free-to-play 4X strategy game set in the expansive universe of EVE Online. The game features fast-paced 4X gameplay that integrates resource management, diplomacy, and combat, enabling players to expand their empires while engaging in strategic battles. Players can choose from four powerful empires, assemble unique fleets with distinct commanders, and form alliances or engage in warfare to dominate the galaxy.

In July 2023, Savvy Games Group, a Saudi Arabia-based gaming company, acquired Scopely for $4.9 billion. This acquisition aims to strengthen Savvy's presence in the global gaming market, diversify its portfolio with Scopely's expertise in mobile strategy games, and enhance its capabilities to deliver innovative and engaging gaming experiences to a wider audience. Scopely Inc., a US-based interactive entertainment company, specializes in developing mobile strategy games, contributing to the evolving landscape of the gaming industry.

Major players in the strategy games market are Nintendo Co. Ltd., Activision Blizzard Inc., Blizzard Entertainment Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., Epic Games Inc., Zynga Inc., SEGA Corporation, Nexon Co. Ltd., Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd., Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Riot Games Inc., Bigben Interactive SA, The Creative Assembly Limited, Paradox Interactive AB, Firaxis Games Inc., Blue Byte GmbH, Stardock Corporation, Frozenbyte Inc., Chucklefish Limited, Slitherine Ltd., Ensemble Studios Inc.

North America was the largest region in the strategy games market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in strategy games report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the strategy games market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The strategy games include revenues earned by entities by providing services such as game development services, game publishing and distribution, online and multiplayer services, post-launch services, community engagement services, and monetization services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The strategy games market also consists of sales of products including esports and competitive products, mobile and cross-platform products, and community-created products. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the recreation sector, especially in the supply of imported sports gear, outdoor equipment, and leisure products. Manufacturers and retailers are grappling with increased costs for goods like bicycles, camping supplies, fitness equipment, and gaming consoles - many of which rely heavily on international supply chains with few domestic alternatives. Small recreational retailers are particularly vulnerable, with some cutting back on stock or raising prices to manage shrinking profit margins. Event organizers and recreational venues are also experiencing rising costs for imported materials and equipment. In response, the industry is shifting toward suppliers in non-tariff regions, boosting local procurement efforts, and advocating for tariff exemptions on widely used recreational goods.

Strategy games are a genre of video games that require players to plan, think critically, and make decisions to achieve specific objectives. These games prioritize strategic thinking, resource management, and tactical planning over reflex-based gameplay.

The primary products within the strategy game genre include client-type and web game-type. Client-type games involve classifying customers based on specific characteristics, behaviors, or needs, allowing businesses to tailor their products and services effectively. These games are available on various devices, including mobile devices, personal computers, tablets, and others. The associated business models include free-to-play (ad-supported), freemium, and subscription-based options.

The strategy games market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides strategy games market statistics, including the strategy games industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the strategy games market share, detailed strategy games market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the strategy games industry. This strategy games market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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