Research has shown that despite going through a slump over the last couple of years, gaming is growing in popularity again.
Throughout 2025, it is expected to continue to grow, thanks to the release of some majorly anticipated releases, such as Grand Theft Auto VI, and hardware, such as the Nintendo Switch 2.
As always, we’re excited to see what the next year of gaming brings us. While it is hard to guess whether any completely new trends will pop up in 2025, we can see some current trends becoming a bit more prevalent, such as:
AI
Right at the top of the list, we need to put AI. 2025, for better or worse, will be the year that AI starts to pop up in the gaming market. It is likely to be used in a multitude of different ways, from coding to testing, art and sound. Let’s be honest, games are expensive to develop nowadays, and publishers will always be looking for ways they can save money on development. Expect there to be a lot of hubbub about AI throughout the gaming world, especially on social media, for the next year.
We believe AI can benefit games. Not just through shorter, cheaper development times. AI can deliver new features that would have been otherwise impossible. Think along the lines of proper, branching conversations with NPCs. AI has already started being used in this context, including to create more customised NPC interactions. It may also prove useful in generating content that can be created on a whim, such as Bethesda’s radiant quest system in Skyrim. We’re sure that many developers will be working hard to come up with unique ways to put AI to work.
You might even see AI tech incorporated into online casinos, including some of the sweepstakes casinos found at CasinoMeister, where games can be made much more ‘random’ than they used to be. Another area where AI excels is in suggesting games and creating customised offers.
Focus on shorter experiences
A lot of game developers currently claim that players are no longer looking for epic 100-hour experiences in their games. People want shorter, sweeter, experiences. Think along the lines of 15 to 20-hour experiences, including good stories and gameplay. Publishers probably love this too, since it means that games will be a lot cheaper to produce, as costs are now starting to spiral out of control for game development.
Starting in 2025, expect there to be a big trend towards shorter experiences. We expect that Microsoft will be a key player in promoting this trend since they’ve repeatedly stated that shorter experiences are good for Xbox Game Pass. They have released some high-quality games, such as Hi-Fi Rush, that were quick to complete but generated Game Pass subs.
Cloud gaming focus
The market is now trending toward Cloud gaming. The charge is being led by Nvidia and Xbox, particularly the latter. Microsoft has stated that every device with an internet connection can be an Xbox. However, this isn’t because every device is equipped with a decent graphics card. It is thanks to the development of the xCloud system, which allows people to cloud stream Xbox games to their PC, mobile device, TV and even to an older generation Xbox that is not capable of playing the newer games. This works with Game Pass, giving people instant access to hundreds of games, and soon, games that people own on Xbox.
Cloud Gaming has the ability to make it cheaper to play the latest AAA games, and people are eager to take advantage of that opportunity. Expect more games to become available through the Cloud.
More portability for games
It is no secret that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be released this year. There have been whisperings of a new Steam Deck too, and even Microsoft has stated they want to release a portable console.
There is more money made by mobile games than PC or console games because people love the portability. They love the ease of playing games wherever they are.
We expect a lot more companies to start embracing the portable world. Expect more portable PCs to be released, and more quality games to be released for mobile devices, including online casinos, as well as loads of AAA games for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Not everything will happen in 2025, but we’ll certainly see the start of the portable gaming trend.
Could 2025 be the year for VR and AR?
While VR and AR haven’t quite taken off the way people have expected, there is every indication that there are some new competitors looking to enter the market, and Meta is still investing heavily in the Metaverse. Expect Meta and Sony to lead the charge for VR tech. Microsoft may dabble in a bit of AR too.
Again, don’t expect major changes in 2025 but we should see some growth in this trend.
Dialing back of graphics
We fully expect graphics to become simpler. Scaling back graphics will make games cheaper to develop, and available on more devices. Don’t expect things to look terrible, as they won’t, but expect game graphics to become more stylised, similar to the artwork in games such as Fortnite and Genshin Impact.
Final thoughts
2025 promises to be a transformative year for gaming. While some changes may face initial resistance like always, they highlight the innovation that defines gaming. As technology evolves, gamers can look forward to new experiences that will hopefully prove popular in the long run.
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