Gaming intellectual properties are increasingly becoming a strong market in the current media wars, as shown by the success of Netflix’s animated series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and a series of other game inspired shows. 

It’s more clear than ever before that streaming platforms are competing against gaming platforms for public attention.

Therefore, gaming influence points are a valuable resource with which video streaming services could attract new users. 

One of game inspired shows and the crossover between gaming and television is Netflix’s hit series The Witcher.

The show premiered in 2019, is currently on its third season and spun off as a spin-off series. The story is based on a book series, which also inspired a popular franchise in the gaming world. 

That surely opened the door for other game inspired shows to become popular. Since last year, Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners have become two of the most watched series on Netflix. 

The consumer’s interest in game inspired shows goes beyond streaming numbers. Meaning the series popularity ends up flowing back into the original source material.

Since the release of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, there’s been a sharp increase in Cyberpunk 2077 sales. 

As game developers and streaming services continue to compete for consumers’ attention, there’s a high probability they’ll continue to invest in this kind of crossover content which ends up helping both sides. 

Putting it simply, streaming platforms have come to realize that the ever growing gaming cultural influence and their audience was worthy of their attention.

According to a report on the impact of gaming on media consumption by Activision Blizzard, gaming consumption is larger than live television.

Streaming services have better numbers and exceed gaming by a small percentage, but only during prime time and late hours.

During all the other times, gaming activities still beat both entertainment alternatives. Plus, gaming is even more dominant among younger demos. 

Surely, the adaptation of pre-existing Influence Points is not new in the world of entertainment. However, the popularity of the gaming industry has transformed gaming IP’s from a moderate risk to a safe bet. 

Amanda Lotz, a media studies professor at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, says that media industries are well known as risky businesses.

Mostly because it’s hard to predict the consumers’ desire which leads to success and ROI. These are industries with very high first-copy costs.

That means you have to spend a lot of money before you even get results. 

So, a natural response to these kinds of conditions is to reduce risk. That means to rely on known things, like known talent and especially known Influence Points.

That is the main reason why IP has been used to reduce risk for so long, and it’s now being implemented on game inspired shows. 

Soon, you might have to watch your favorite game inspired shows on a weekly basis.

That is because Netflix is currently considering a change from its binge method to weekly releases. Follow the link below to learn more!