Video games have seen explosive growth over the past few years, especially as gaming and game development have become more accepted as a hobby and profession.
The Caribbean is no exception to this growth in gaming, and data from Statista projects that market revenue could hit US$371.40 million in 2024. By 2027, the video games landscape is expected to reach a whopping 6.5 million users and a value of US$467.00 million. This surge in popularity is also thanks to the rise of local game developers and an increasing number of gaming events and competitions, boosting the visibility of the region’s gaming scene.
While the market is diverse, Call of Duty remains a dominant force. The popular first-person shooter franchise consistently ranks among the best-selling titles in the region, likely due to its action-packed gameplay and emphasis on online multiplayer. The company behind it—Activision Blizzard—is also a top key market player. Here’s how the region’s video game market is booming:
The growing video game market
Video games were not always accessible in the Caribbean, especially in their earlier days. They were expensive and had little retail presence, meaning many gamers at the time had to work harder to find and play them, especially physical ones.
The advent of digital gaming brought forth more opportunities for Caribbean gamers to play games when they were released and participate in gaming events, connecting the Caribbean gaming community to the rest of the world. Writer and gamer Nadine Dornieden notes that digital games were also much cheaper and easier to purchase than physical games, which she and other Caribbean gamers often had to ask for through relatives living in other countries. The rise of mobile gaming has also paved the way for anyone to make and play games as long as they have a compatible device and an Internet connection. Such advancements have made it easier for video games to grow in popularity in the region.
The popularity of Call of Duty
International video games like Call of Duty have received worldwide acclaim. As of 2021, the first-person shooter game was the best-selling series of its genre, amassing 400 million units sold according to the Guinness World Records. The Caribbean gaming scene isn’t exempt from its massive popularity and has retained its top status in the region. Call of Duty: Mobile gave the game an even bigger reach, gaining popularity among the region’s many mobile gamers due to its free-to-play and easy-to-use approach.
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Credit: @callofduty on Instagram]
The series is also constantly coming out with new games and updates. Thunderpick’s Call of Duty betting guide points out that the 2023 version of Modern Warfare 3 brings new features, such as the mixing of linear and open-world missions and new maps, a gripping campaign, and the return of map voting and red dots on the minimap for enhanced gameplay. There are also many Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tournaments that make watching and betting an exciting experience. To date, there have been more than 200 tournaments and prize pools totaling over US$33.6 million. This showcases just how massive Call of Duty is in the Caribbean and beyond.
The game development scene
Aside from playing video games, the Caribbean is also brewing more interest in game development. For instance, Jamaican game developer Graham Reid has been aiming to make a name for himself and bring visibility to the Carribean market. But even after migrating to the US, he found that game development was a difficult industry. However, his drive and passion made him all the more determined to invigorate the Caribbean gaming scene, which hasn’t yet seen much visibility due to cultural and economic reasons, among others.
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Credit: @grahamoflegend on Instagram]
Graham Reid launched his game Super Space Club in 2023, and the chill arcade-style shooter game boasts quirky and unique lo-fi beats and is set in a vibrant space environment. He hopes his games can crossover into the Caribbean mainstream, showcasing opportunities for those interested in the craft. Groups like the Jamaican Game Developer Society are also helping ignite the local industry and the wider Caribbean. Educating and advocating for interactive entertainment can help put more eyes on the market and hopefully inspire others to follow their gaming passions.
The Caribbean video game market is still evolving, and challenges from lack of visibility to limited opportunities are in the process of being addressed. However, it’s clear that there’s much potential and room for growth and development, and the region can be an untapped gem for the industry.
