Build Your Gaming Empire: How AI and UGC Are Disrupting the Gaming Industry

A new 'gaming intelligence' model enables solo creators to rapidly produce and monetize digital assets for platforms like Roblox and Fortnite.

- KUL BHUSHAN

Gaming has evolved significantly in the last couple of decades. From a technology point of view, the evolution is evident. There is a parallel economy that traverses through these gaming franchises; for instance, there are live TV series based on games like Fallout and The Last of Us. In many ways, several games have also transcended into a social square. The shift is well-explained in the Bain & Company 2025 Gaming Report. According to the report, young gamers are among the biggest contributors to the success of top games. It further stated that video games are the most popular form of media for those under 18 years old, reflecting a dominance in media consumption compared to other age groups.

"The net effect is that young people's favorite games are more heavily clustered around a few top titles than in other age groups. Those aged between 2 and 17 are 20 percentage points more likely than gamers aged 35 and older to prefer playing the short list of games that are most popular among their peers," the report said. "There's compelling evidence that preferences for games carry forward: The percentage of Roblox users aged 13 and older increased from about 50% in 2021 to around 60% in 2024, as a significant portion of younger users stuck with the game as they aged. If young gamers sustain their habits over the long term, new games may find it harder to break through," it added. The report also highlighted that platform-style games like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft have become popular among the younger generation mainly because of their 'living platform-like' feel, whereas conventional AAA games or franchise models focus more on delivering sequels with improvements across graphics, content, and gameplay.

UGC Boom & Intelligence-led Creators