MAPPING THE DOMINANCE TRENDS OF POPULAR GAME GENRES ACROSS RELEASE PERIODS: AN ANALYSIS OF 10.000 GAME RELEASES

Abstract

The video game industry has evolved into a major cultural and economic force; however, comprehensive mappings of genre dominance trajectories over extended time periods remain limited. This study aims to systematically analyze patterns of video game genre dominance based on release periods in order to gain a holistic understanding of industry evolution. Employing a big data analytical approach, this research processes an extensive dataset comprising more than 10,000 video game releases using time-series trend analysis, Pearson correlation, and computationally based linear regression models. The results reveal a significant surge in release volumes after 2010, particularly within the independent game sector, driven by the democratization of digital distribution platforms. Statistical analysis confirms that the release period serves as a primary deterministic predictor of genre prevalence in the market (R2 = 0.789; p < 0.05). Notably, the findings indicate a clear dichotomy between quantity and quality: while action games dominate in terms of release volume, genres characterized by more specialized mechanics, such as role-playing and puzzle games, consistently achieve higher user quality ratings. This study concludes that temporal factors reflect a profound transition from traditional console-based models toward a more diverse and digitally driven ecosystem. The implications of these findings provide a strategic framework for developers and marketers to identify market saturation points and innovation opportunities within genres exhibiting strong user loyalty amid increasingly competitive global industry dynamics.