By It is no secret that 2025 offered some continued hardships to the gaming industry. From more studio closures and layoffs to some high-profile and budgeted games not getting the critical or sales reception that was anticipated. It is said that hope springs eternal, especially with the rise of a new year. With that in mind, here are some hopes that I would like to see come to reality in 2026 for the gaming industry.
First and foremost, I’d like to see a return to stability. Fewer layoffs, studio closures, more quality products, and less controversy. I know that for many, this is a pipe dream as the economic realities can dictate unexpected results.
However, we are getting to the point where blaming COVID for delays and other economic downturns may not be feasible. The majority of projects that were underway during that time have come to fruition, so what we’re seeing now are projects that have culminated or grown in the last few years.
The harsh reality of publicly owned companies where stock performance dictates gaming decisions and impacts creatives is always going to be a factor. I saw this firsthand years ago after a large, family-owned video game company was sold to another company, which in turn was sold to another. An incomplete and buggy product was shoved out the door to meet promised ship dates to investors with little regard to the long-term consequences. I believe this problem has only grown as gaming budgets have skyrocketed, and with it, the pressure to produce results.
On a more positive note and would love to have a formal announcement of the next PlayStation and Xbox consoles, or at least a company back teasers of what we can expect when they appear in the anticipated 2027 window.
AI is going to continue to be a huge part of the entertainment industry. We have seenover a I used for art, and we have even seen an award removed from a company for use in AI during the early stages of the game development. The genie is out of the bottle, and with companies looking for ways to make their games cheaper and faster, they are not going to turn away from the use of this resource. I think the simple solution is to clearly state when a game is announced if AI was used at any point of the creation. A simple no way I was used in the creation of this game solves the problem. The same would go for artwork as a little logo, such as a small AI in the corner would simply brand it, and the did they or didn’t they controversies.
I would also like to see a return of larger publishers to gaming conventions. I have made no secret of my continued regret over the loss of E3 and the lack of major publishers at gaming conventions. I am looking to possibly return to PAX West myself this year to assist this coverage team, as we saw a few larger publishers return last year. I do not think it is any shock that there have been some decreases in sales in response to certain titles coinciding with a lack of appearances at conventions leading up to their release. A carefully edited trailer and talking heads continue to be a poor substitute for seeing and playing a title and being able to talk to developers and marketing people on location.
I would also like to see more quality videogame related projects come to the big and small screen. I do believe that television is a better format as streaming allows more time and fewer content restrictions, therefore, can make for a better result.
So what are you looking forward to and hoping to hear in the gaming world for 2026?
