Like for 2024, game industry news site GamesIndustry.biz asked a number of analysts for predictions about the global gaming market in 2025.
Here is a repost from my contribution to their article:
Xbox will open all floodgates and go all-in on PS5
I am aware that Microsoft has already become somewhat open to releasing Xbox games on other platforms, but 2025 might be the year where they go all-in. The $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal, rising costs across the board, the power of forever-titles, the huge lead of Sony and other factors will likely leave Microsoft no choice but to bring all their big games to PS5 early, including blockbusters such as Gears of War: E-Day or Perfect Dark.
Instant gaming will have its big moment
Instant gaming silently amassed vast audiences over time, but I believe 2025 will be the true breakout year in the West. The idea of not having to install apps and being able to play across various platforms with deep social hooks led to hundreds of millions of active players on WeChat in China, for example. Apple just a few weeks ago enabled in-app-purchases for instant games on iOS, a watershed moment this part of the industry has been waiting for for years.
Ubisoft will change radically
I hope I am wrong on this one, but I see Ubisoft closing studios and cutting staff at a significantly larger scale next year. In my view, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will get solid reviews and sell ‘okay’ – but not enough to make Ubisoft continue business as usual. Ubisoft at the end of 2025 will look a lot different from now.
Nintendo will not have enough consoles to sell
Despite Nintendo’s pledge and best efforts, the new device will sell out very quickly and not be available for months in 2025. It will be even worse than 2017 when the Switch launched. Furthermore, the name will be Switch 2. I also expect deep price cuts for the original Switch in 2025.
