Group 1 - The gaming industry is facing systemic issues leading to mass layoffs, studio closures, and stagnation in growth due to complex economic, technological, and demographic factors [1][2] - The industry's deep ties to stock market expectations for exponential growth are no longer feasible, with monetization models like free-to-play, battle passes, and microtransactions reaching saturation [3] - Global birth rates are insufficient to sustain the influx of new consumers that tech giants expect, indicating a demographic challenge for the industry [3] Group 2 - Major games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Minecraft are monopolizing player attention, reshaping consumer habits and sidelining smaller games and studios [3] - There is hope in independent studios like Larian Studios with Baldur's Gate 3 and Warhorse Studios with Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which have succeeded without investor pressure [4] - The industry is promoting smartphone apps and cloud gaming in developing countries more to appease investors than to enhance accessibility [3]