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2024 Big Ideas: Anime Games Go Mainstream with Robin Guo
9 segments available
In 2022, Mihoyo made $3.8 billion with hits like Genshin Impact. Fast forward, and the anime frenzy shows no signs of slowing down. a16z General Partner Robin Guo shares their Big Idea in Tech for 2024, delving into the immersive adventure, romantic allure, and social loops that define anime games. With anime as a powerhouse genre, 2024 sets the stage for developers to craft unforgettable experiences for players worldwide. Topics Covered: 00:00 - Big Ideas in Tech 2024 01:39 - Big Idea: Anime Games Go Mainstream 02:50 - What defines anime? 03:34 - Anime’s monetization strategy and how it differs from other genres 07:45 - Why are we seeing a rise in anime? 09:48 - What is required to be successful in anime 12:32 - AI, XR and inventing the next wave of anime Resources: Find Robin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zebird0 View all 40+ big ideas: https://a16z.com/bigideas2024 Stay Updated: Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Segments Timeline
Big Ideas in Tech 2024
Robin Guo introduces the 2024 Big Ideas in Tech, highlighting major innovations predicted by a16z partners. The discussion covers advancements in various sectors, including AI, energy, and healthcare, setting the stage for the exploration of anime games as a significant trend in the gaming industry.
"Precision delivery of medicine entertainment franchise games absolutely exploding small modular reactors and the nuclear Renaissance plus AI moving into very complex workflows now these were just a fe..."
Anime Games Go Mainstream
Robin Guo shares his big idea for 2024: the rise of anime games. He discusses how anime's unique art style and storytelling appeal to diverse audiences, leading to deep player engagement. The segment emphasizes the success of titles like Genshin Impact and the potential for anime to transcend traditional gaming genres.
"in as a reminder the content here is for informational purposes only should not be taken as legal business tax or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security and is not directe..."
Defining Anime: Art and Culture
In this segment, Robin Guo explains what constitutes anime and how it differs from other formats like manga and webtoons. He highlights the unique art styles and cultural origins of anime, emphasizing its broad appeal and the passionate fanbase that defines the genre.
"medium that transcends both uh different games genres uh art styles and we're excited to invest across that ecosystem and we see this in the data too where anime has become one of the highest grossing..."
Engagement Through Diverse Genres
Robin discusses how anime's art style allows for the incorporation of various gameplay components, such as adventure, romance, and social loops. This versatility leads to deep player engagement, making anime games appealing to a wide range of demographics and player profiles.
"yeah so I think anime is unique because it started from Japanese Comics right and so it's defined by a few different types of art styles so one is solid outlines exaggerated features blocked out color..."
Monetization Strategies in Anime Games
This segment delves into the monetization strategies unique to anime games, particularly the gacha system. Robin explains how this model, which originated from Japanese gashapon machines, drives high average revenue per user (ARPU) and creates engaging content for players.
"gameplay yeah so I think in general like different art styles are very targeted at different audiences and so for instance if you take something like Elden ring it's a very hardcore Dark Fantasy audie..."
The Rise of Anime: A Cultural Shift
Robin reflects on the cultural shift surrounding anime, noting its transition from a niche interest to a mainstream phenomenon. He discusses the increasing viewership among Millennials and Gen Z, highlighting how the stigma around anime is fading and its popularity is growing.
"progression Loops that you can put in and so they have like standard monetization techniques that are pretty common in all mobile games right like oh you buy some boost or you buy the battle pass for ..."
Opportunities for Developers in Anime
In this segment, Robin explores the competitive landscape of anime gaming, discussing established players like Mihoyo and the potential for new developers. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the medium and its fanbase to create successful anime games.
"capitalized on by by the masses yet yeah I think in the past you know when I was growing up anime was definitely a weird otaku like nerdy thing that people didn't like to talk about and so you have to..."
Innovating with AI and XR in Anime
Robin discusses the impact of emerging technologies like AI and XR on the anime gaming industry. He highlights how AI can streamline the creation of anime art assets and speculates on the potential of XR to create immersive gaming experiences, paving the way for the next wave of anime games.
"be successful and so I think one of the reasons Moya was so successful is their tagline is literally otaku saved the world and so it's just a bunch of it was started by a bunch of college kids who are..."
Closing Thoughts on Anime's Future
Robin concludes the discussion by summarizing the exciting prospects for anime games in 2024 and beyond. He encourages developers to embrace innovation and explore the vast opportunities within the anime genre, as the industry continues to evolve and attract new audiences.
"thoughts on how those new technologies impact the system and maybe help us invent the new next wave of anime yeah I think AI is definitely an obvious one for anime because it's a 2D art style and it's..."