As Hollywood looks ahead to 2024, it is evident that the entertainment industry must prioritize the interests of video game communities to remain relevant and profitable. An analysis of year-end data by Fandom, a leading wiki platform for entertainment and gaming fans, has revealed the top video game franchises that dominated online discussions in 2023.
Fandom’s findings indicate that the top franchises across the website in 2023 were “Terraria,” “Star Wars,” and “Marvel,” with scores of 100, 96, and 95, respectively. Notably, these franchises span multiple verticals, including TV, film, and video games. Additionally, the top gaming-only franchises were “Terraria,” “Minecraft,” and “Genshin Impact,” which garnered significant praise from global gaming communities.
Importantly, the popularity of these franchises extends beyond video game sales. Titles such as “Hogwarts Legacy” and “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” contributed to the success of their respective franchises, Harry Potter and Marvel, despite not being included in the gaming-only franchises list. This presents an opportunity for Hollywood to capitalize on the success of video game franchises and leverage their existing fan bases for potential TV and film adaptations.
Despite the substantial influence of video game communities, only 40% of the top video game titles have been adapted into movies and TV series, leaving a significant untapped market for Hollywood to explore. Thankfully, there are ongoing projects such as the “Fallout” TV series, the “Minecraft” movie, and the “Genshin Impact” anime.
Looking ahead to 2024, Fandom predicts that the trend of expanding gaming franchises into TV and movies will continue. The industry is also expected to see an increase in licensing and the revival of dormant franchises, presenting new opportunities for streaming services and entertainment platforms to collaborate and bring hidden gems to the forefront of popular media.
In terms of existing franchises, there is a focus on developing fewer, bigger, and better projects, as evidenced by the reassessment of release schedules for major franchises like Marvel and Star Wars. This strategic shift aims to reinvigorate fan excitement and prevent audience burnout by offering high-quality, captivating content. The potential for expansion into animation and TV promises to bring fresh perspectives and diverse experiences to existing fan bases, setting the stage for an exciting and transformative year ahead.
In conclusion, the video game community has become an invaluable resource for Hollywood, offering untapped potential for future adaptations and collaborations. As the entertainment industry prepares for 2024, the influence of gaming communities on the landscape of entertainment is undeniable, and the upcoming year is poised to be one of unprecedented exploration and innovation.
