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Innovations are propelling gaming to the forefront of the digital economy, giving it an impetus that transcends the entertainment industry.
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New games and technologies are propelling the gaming world to the forefront of the digital economy – and driving innovation far beyond the entertainment industry. The booming gaming sector also offers a wide range of investment opportunities for investors – but it’s important to keep an eye on the risks.
More than just a leisure trend: with the UBS Gaming and eSports Tracker‑Certificate, investors gain diversified exposure to leading companies in the industry – from game development to eSports. The certificate tracks the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index and is suitable for broad investment in the video game and eSports sectors.
*The MVIS Global Video Gaming & eSports Tracker Certificate is an investment product that involves risks. You should therefore ensure you review the product details and potential risks before investing.
The global gaming market continues to steadily grow. According to Newzoo, revenue is expected to rise to approximately USD 189 billion by 2025[A1] and to over USD 206 billion by 2028. The number of players has grown from 3.6 billion to nearly 3.9 billion.
Console games are the key revenue driver: in 2025, USD 46 billion was spent on console games, USD 103 billion on mobile games and nearly USD 40 billion on PC games. Consoles recorded the strongest growth at 5.5%. China remains the largest market, followed by the United States and Japan.
eSports has grown into a billion-dollar industry in its own right. Since 2021, global eSports revenue has exceeded the USD 1 billion mark annually and now stands at over USD 2 billion. Revenue comes from sponsorships, media rights, ticket sales and digital revenue.
The gaming industry is a major driver of innovation today. It is setting new standards, particularly in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and cloud gaming, and is accelerating the development and scaling of new technologies. Many of these innovations, such as immersive 3D environments and cloud solutions, are now also being used outside the gaming industry, for example in remote work or simulation.
The impact of gaming technologies goes beyond entertainment. In medicine, VR applications support rehabilitation and training, while in industry, game engines enable the visualization and simulation of production processes.
The gaming industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Growth is increasingly driven by new business models, technological innovations and a broader target audience. Instead of one-time purchases, the focus is now on subscriptions, live services and in-game purchases. Digital goods such as avatars and virtual real estate are becoming increasingly important and offer additional sources of revenue.
From a technological standpoint, AI, cloud gaming and 5G enable personalized and cross-platform gaming experiences. VR and AR are driving the convergence of the real and digital worlds.
Gaming is evolving into a media format: more and more people are passively watching games via streaming or eSports events. Experts therefore expect further revenue growth in the industry.
The gaming sector offers investors a wide range of investment opportunities: from established large corporations to specialized technology providers and broadly diversified thematic investments.
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
Gaming is far more than a passing trend – it is a lasting structural shift driven by digitalization, changing media habits and continuous technological progress. This dynamic makes the industry particularly attractive to investors and continually opens up new opportunities. | At the same time, it is important to keep an eye on the risks. The industry is characterized by cyclical business models, and the success of individual titles or platforms can lead to significant price fluctuations. This is accompanied by intense competition, rising development costs and regulatory requirements such as the protection of minors. Broad diversification and a long-term investment horizon are therefore crucial to being able to fully capitalize on the gaming sector's potential. |
Investments in the gaming sector open the door to one of the most dynamic areas of the digital economy. The spectrum ranges from successful hit games and platform economies to semiconductor and cloud infrastructure providers – making gaming a diverse investment area with numerous entry points. For investors, it is important to strike the right balance between growth potential and risk management.
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