The Entrepreneur’s Perspective: Gaming Consumption Habits and Advice for Entrepreneurs

ARTICLES
November 4, 2023

For thousands of years, philosophical movements, teachings, and religions have developed systems of thought focused on training the human mind to concentrate on the present moment. The mind may get stuck between the regrets of the past or the uncertainties of the future, yet the only true reality is the moment we live in.




At Boğaziçi Ventures, we established the BV Growth (BVG) Fund at the end of 2020 by receiving the first financing commitments from our investors. Since then, we have invested in over twenty-five early-stage, Turkey-based technology companies focused on innovation. As we grow and evolve with our portfolio companies, we share the knowledge and insights we gain through BV Insights.

In this article, we feature the perspectives of Furkan Faruk Akıncı, Co-Founder of Fiber Games — the developer of “Weld It 3D” and “Kral Şakir: Macera Adası” — on PC/console game genres, along with his notes for entrepreneurs. Enjoy reading!

The Value of Time and Games

For thousands of years, philosophical movements, teachings, and religions have developed systems of thought focused on training the human mind to concentrate on the present moment. The mind may get stuck between the regrets of the past or the uncertainties of the future, yet the only true reality is the moment we live in.

The greatest value of video games is that they offer players an immersion experience. Games can transport players away from the real world into another reality, or they can provide instant gratification that sparks the desire to play again. Games demand players’ most valuable asset — their free time — and managing this time is of critical importance for game developers.

Consumer Habits in Games

In modern life, free time is the most valuable and non-accumulative resource, regardless of financial status. Therefore, the core goal of developers and studios is to keep players engaged in the game. With the growing diversity and circulation of content, understanding how players decide where and on which platform to spend their free time has become a critical element for a successful gaming venture.

As competition in the gaming world grows stronger each day, attracting players’ attention and keeping them in the game world requires a highly strategic approach.

Why Do We Play Games?

There are many motivations for playing games. One of the favorite game designers, Hideo Kojima, describes the mascot of his new studio as Homo Ludens — the playing human. This suggests that players sociologically identify themselves through this identity. But can we include everyone who plays games under this label? Likely not.

Broadly, games can be categorized into PC/console, mobile, and Web3. While this grouping is based on consumer habits, I would like to draw a broader framework. Based on these habits, what makes a game good or bad? What factors make individuals invest their most valuable assets — their time and money — into your game?

PC and Console Games

In the early 1980s, the U.S. video game market came to a standstill. A few software producers released licensed movie games to the market, but as distributors rushed to align game releases with seasonal events like Christmas or Black Friday, the market became oversaturated with low-quality games. Declining revenues and rising logistics costs led major retailers to stop ordering new games.

This fate was changed by Nintendo, which practically saved the gaming industry from extinction. Taking a huge risk by entering the U.S. market with iconic games like Donkey Kong and Mario, Nintendo revived the industry with the Famicom. High-quality, innovative content had found its place again.

From the 1980s to Today: The Evolution of PC and Console Games

From the late 1980s onwards, the gaming industry underwent a major transformation. PC and console games blended technology with creativity, giving rise to diverse game genres. By the mid-1990s, FPS (First-Person Shooter), RTS (Real-Time Strategy), and cRPG (Computer Role-Playing Game) were popular on PCs, while consoles led with platformers, sports, action-adventure, and j-RPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game).

During this period, studios like Bioware, iD Software, and Bethesda rose rapidly.

  • Bioware: Revolution in Role-Playing Games
    Bioware innovated in the cRPG genre with titles like Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR), offering players freedom of choice, rich storytelling, and deep character development.

  • Bethesda: Exploration and Adventure
    Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series offered expansive, explorable worlds. With Arena and Daggerfall, Bethesda introduced the concept of procedurally generated environments, delivering players a fresh experience every time. This kept game worlds constantly alive and engaging.

  • iD Software: Pioneer of the FPS Genre
    With Doom and Quake, iD Software defined the FPS genre. These games not only shaped the industry but also fueled the growth of the hardware market. By placing the camera in the character’s perspective, they gave players a groundbreaking experience.

  • Today: The Fall of Bioware and the Rise of Larian
    In recent years, the gaming industry has gone through another transformation. For instance, Baldur’s Gate 3 by Larian Studios emerged as one of the strongest games of the year, while Bioware has drifted away from its glory days. The push to simplify games for broader audiences, coupled with EA’s acquisition and the failure of projects like Anthem, contributed to Bioware’s decline.

Portable Experiences: Mobile Games

Today, mobile games dominate the gaming market in terms of revenue, yet they are still in the early stages in terms of experience. In mobile ecosystems, where advertising relies on bidding mediation, the process is often more mathematical than creative. Developers must think about monetization strategies — such as in-game breathing time and retention mechanics — even before gameplay itself.

Sub-genres like match-three, puzzle, simulation, and stone-breaking are common. These games offer variety in monetization strategies, from selling cosmetic items to performance boosters.

Characteristics of Successful Mobile Games:

  • Strong readability and intuitive onboarding (tutorials)

  • Both passive and active progression systems

  • Flexibility for both short and long play sessions (2 minutes or 20 minutes should feel equally rewarding)

  • Strong visual and auditory feedback to reinforce engagement

Conceptual Confusion: Web3 Games

From my limited experience with Web3 projects, I’ve observed that the player profile is different from traditional PC/console and mobile gamers. While the core motivations behind gaming remain — storytelling, being part of a narrative, competition, audiovisual satisfaction, and progression systems — the Web3 audience often prioritizes passive income opportunities over entertainment.

This indicates that the Web3 audience may not fully overlap with traditional gaming communities. Their presence may remain small in scale unless Web3 projects develop sustainable C2C (consumer-to-consumer) economies.

About Fiber Games

Founded in 2019 by Sinan Akkol, Volkan Turan, and Faruk Akıncı, Fiber Games is a game development studio. The company has produced games such as Weld it 3D (with over 11 million downloads in the U.S.) and Kral Şakir: Macera Adası. They are currently working on their upcoming 2024 release.

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