The video gaming industry is poised for significant transformations by 2025. Several key trends and developments are expected to shape the future landscape of the gaming world. One notable trend is the rise of mobile and cloud gaming.
As internet infrastructure continues to improve globally, there is a shift towards streaming games directly to mobile devices, reducing the need for high-end gaming consoles and PCs. This trend is expected to make gaming more accessible to a broader audience, democratizing the gaming experience. Additionally, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in gaming will enhance gameplay and personalization.
AI-driven characters and responsive narratives promise to deliver more immersive and customizable player experiences. Another highlight is the success of indie games and titles emerging from smaller studios. Games like “Black Myth: Wukong” have demonstrated that independent developers can achieve commercial and critical success with creativity and innovative gameplay mechanics. This trend underscores a shift in the industry where unique and engaging content can compete with big-budget productions.
The evolution of esports continues to blur the lines between traditional sports and competitive gaming. With increasing investment from major corporations and growing audiences, esports is rapidly becoming mainstream entertainment, attracting significant sponsorships and media rights deals.
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are also set to revolutionize the gaming experience. As these technologies become more advanced and affordable, they are expected to offer new dimensions to gameplay, providing deeply immersive experiences that extend beyond traditional screen-based interactions. Overall, by 2025, the video gaming industry is expected to be more diverse, accessible, and innovative.
These developments will likely usher in a new era of gaming characterized by cutting-edge technology and inclusive entertainment.
Will Grand Theft Auto 6 actually come out this year? Is a new Nintendo console coming?
Massive games are creeping on the horizon, including a high-stakes Assassin’s Creed title and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Some of the most anticipated games of 2025 include the highly awaited GTA6. The much-anticipated release from Rockstar Games is poised to dominate 2025’s gaming landscape. Scheduled for a late 2025 release, the game is expected to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors with brilliance, owing to Rockstar’s stellar track record. However, Rockstar’s history of delays casts a shadow on a timely release — and yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it!
One thought: if GTA 6 slips into 2026, it would leave the Game of the Year competition wide-open for other contenders.
Avowed (Feb. 18): Obsidian Entertainment has plenty of experience emulating Bethesda’s open-world role-playing games. After several delays, the studio’s answer to Skyrim is finally coming out.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (also Feb.18): The narrative adventure game Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will feature four protagonists dealing with the fallout of a mysterious 1995 incident years later. From the developers of the heartfelt Life is Strange series, Lost Records looks like it’ll deliver some seriously immersive choices and an unforgettable story.
Monster Hunter Wilds (Feb. 28). Monster Hunter Wilds will introduce new locales, bird-like raptor mounts, backup weapons, and a focus mode to precision-target a Monster’s weak points. The return of the slinger from 2018’s Monster Hunter World is also anticipated.
Split Fiction (March 6). This new split-screen co-op game merges the stories of its two protagonists: science fiction writer Mio and fantasy star Zoe. It’s made by It Takes Two developer Hazelight Studios. Arkham Horror:
The Drowned City (March 7). Arkham Horror: The Drowned City promises to pit players against Cthulhu himself, finally. While the expansion will contain fresh mechanics and investigator cards, the new “personal motivations” that will impact the plot based on the investigators being played are highly anticipated.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20): Shadows has been delayed since its late 2024 release, a positive sign for anyone sick of Ubisoft publishing unfinished games. Some hope it will be like Ghost of Tsushima—but more fun.
Tales of the Shire (March 25): This cozy farm sim lets players cook and grow stuff in the world of The Lord of the Rings. It’s expected to get even non-fans of the franchise into playing.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (April 24); Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the long-awaited sequel to 1999’s Garou: Mark of the Wolves, revives a 2D fighting franchise known for colorful characters and fast-paced action. Playtests throughout 2024 have received strong praise for the broad possibilities enabled by its combo system and mechanics that can shift the momentum of matches.
Oath: New Foundations (Nov. TBD): Oath: New Foundations promises a suite of new mechanics for the legacy board game and a robust single-player mode. Players are excited to take over their kitchen tables with the stories of kingdoms and intrigue.
Borderlands 4 (TBD): Gearbox’s looter-shooter franchise fans are pumped for another mainline installment. Hopefully, the main antagonist is more memorable than the previous game’s Calypso Twins.
Death Stranding 2 (TBD). After the gloriously bonkers trailer for Death Stranding 2, many are eager to dive into Hideo Kojima’s weird world again, even if they didn’t finish the original.
Anticipating gaming’s biggest releases in 2025
Dispatch (TBD). Developer AdHoc Studio describes Dispatch as “a superhero workplace comedy where choices matter.” Featuring the voice talents of Laura Bailey and Aaron Paul, this superhero comedy is expected to live up to Telltale’s golden age.
Elden Ring: Nightreign (TBD). Nightreign attempts to distill Elden Ring’s exacting combat and open exploration into a cooperative extraction game.
Hunt: Showdown. Fable 4 (TBD). While only cautiously optimistic, the trailer for Fable 4 has fans hoping for a captivating storyline and a return to the series’ signature humor.
Ghost of Yōtei (TBD). Following the brilliant Ghost of Tsushima, there are hopes that the Ghost of Yōtei can truly build upon its stunning predecessor.
Hades 2 Full Release (TBD). Players can’t wait to stack powers and befriend new gods in the full release of a sequel with a stellar early access period. The characters blow the pantheon from other media out of the water.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (TBD). Hollow Knight: Silksong has again made the most anticipated lists for the third year. Fans are excited that the dream may become real in 2025.
Judas (TBD). Closely guarded for years, Judas is legendary director Ken Levine’s next BioShock game in everything but name.
Lost & Found Co. (TBD). Lost & Found Co. seems like a quirky, cozy puzzler with a fun story and a bustling world to explore. Hidden object game fans have their fingers crossed for a 2025 release.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (TBD). Fans who loved Super Metroid and the much more recent Metroid Dread impatiently await Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It’s been nearly two decades since the last Metroid Prime game, so many hope that Nintendo releases it alongside a new Switch console this year.
