“Gaming’s Next Big Hits: GTA 6, Switch 2, and Beyond!”

Even if you were fortunate enough to receive a new console or games this holiday season, you’re likely keeping track of some imminent releases.

The year 2025 is expected to be significant.

Many agree that 2024 was a challenging year for the gaming sector, marked by tens of thousands of job cuts and global studio closures.

There are optimistic views that circumstances will improve – at least to some extent – in the coming year.

Specifically, two major releases are likely to make a strong impact.

A significant cultural event, a moment anticipated by millions of gamers for an extensive period.

The launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6).

It is scheduled to arrive in autumn, 12 years following the introduction of its predecessor GTA 5 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which shattered launch records.

The sequel has already set records with its initial trailer, which amassed an impressive 90 million views within 24 hours upon its release last December.

And it’s likely that this will not be the final record that is set.

“The level of excitement for this is beyond measure,” observes James Batchelor, editor-in-chief of GamesIndustry.biz.

“It’s undoubtedly going to be one of, if not the largest, game launches ever.”

Developer Rockstar has not disclosed much about the upcoming title beyond its dual lead characters and glimpses into its fictional, Florida-inspired locale, Leonida.

The primary question occupying the minds of many fans is if the release date will be postponed, as seen with former major releases from Rockstar.

James indicates he has found no evidence to suggest that it will – thus far – but if the silence continues, it may be time to start worrying.

“If we still haven’t seen anything by summer, and certainly if there’s nothing by, say, the end of August, then it’s likely they’ll delay it to 2026,” he states.

The arrival of GTA 6 is anticipated to influence the broader gaming industry.

“I believe it will likely be one of those instances where the rising tide raises all boats,” George Osborn, consultant and writer of the Video Games Industry Memo newsletter, elaborates.

He mentions that a major success – particularly one with the cultural significance of GTA – can encourage more individuals “to feel inclined to purchase video games,” which publishers aim to take advantage of.

Numerous other significant launches are on the slate for this year – Assassin’s Creed Shadows from French publisher Ubisoft, Ghost of Yōtei from Sony, and the strategy game Civilization VII, to mention just a few.

“The difficulty for developers is how to avoid being overshadowed by Grand Theft Auto,” expresses George.

Steering clear of the juggernaut that is GTA 6 may prompt other publishers to release their new titles early in the year or even delay them until early 2026.

One thing we do know is that the game will initially launch on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, followed by a PC release later.

Many gamers remain loyal to their previous-generation consoles, and both Sony and Microsoft are hoping that GTA 6 will finally motivate them to upgrade.

“If anything is going to persuade people to transition to a new console if they haven’t done so already, it will be GTA 6,” claims James, estimating that PlayStation 4 users still represent 50% of Sony’s active players.

However, if we are discussing hardware upgrades, competition could arise.

Here’s the official word we have about Nintendo’s upcoming console.

It exists.

Your existing Switch games will be compatible with it.

And that’s all.

There is no official title yet, but fans are referring to it as the Nintendo Switch 2.

Despite unverified leaks and speculation, the machine’s potential remains a secret and the company has stated that an official announcement will occur by the end of March.

However, there seems to be a consensus that Nintendo would prefer not to alter the successful formula of the original Switch, which has sold 146 million units since its launch in 2017.

“The smart bet is on a bigger, improved Switch,” James concludes.

Anticipate a similar appearance but with enhanced processing capabilities.

“That may sound simplistic,” he adds.

“However, considering the level of success it has achieved, it would be foolish not to build upon the base they’ve established here.”

James argues that the affirmation of backwards compatibility – the ability to play titles initially designed for the first Switch – strongly suggests that the new model will closely resemble its predecessor.

He posits that there is a risk that, as seen with past Nintendo consoles, consumers may not realize that the new device differs from what they currently own.

But James is uncertain it will face the same outcome.

“That was a long time ago,” he reflects. “I believe they have learned many lessons since that time.”

Several of 2024’s most significant success narratives originated from small, independent creators.

The standout was Balatro – a captivating, poker-themed card game that concluded the year vying for prestigious game of the year accolades.

Journalist Rachel Watts, who hosts the Indieventure podcast, believes this has paved the way for further breakout successes this year.

“There have been so many amazing indie games this year,” she remarks.

“On the AAA side, numerous critics and players have mentioned ‘it’s such a quiet year, there aren’t many major releases’, but for indie games, there’s always a plethora of exciting options available.”

A phenomenon like Balatro is exceedingly uncommon, and one of the main challenges for indie developers in 2024 has been visibility – ensuring players actually discover your game.

Rachel mentions that the amount of launches on Steam – the digital marketplace where most PC games are purchased – is “quite astonishing” and gaining recognition is “one of the most challenging aspects”.

“I simply don’t foresee that improving,” she adds.

Rachel notes that indie creators are also finding it tough to secure funding, and the financial outlook appears “fairly grim” as they head into 2025.

However, she believes that more gamers are beginning to appreciate the innovation arising from the indie sphere – and additional breakout successes are on the horizon.

“The indie realm is a sanctuary for me to immerse myself in games that reignite my passion for gaming,” Rachel explains.

“If Balatro can stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the year’s premier titles, then I’m optimistic others will too.”

Another significant event to anticipate in 2025: the inaugural Olympic Esports Games will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“I see this as a crucial moment because the Olympic movement has historically not been very supportive of esports,” comments George.

Following years of advocacy, the International Olympics Committee consented to a 12-year arrangement with Saudi Arabia to be the host of the gaming variant.

The inaugural esports World Cup took place in the nation this summer, and George states that the event “did not truly resonate” with a broader audience.

“It’ll be fascinating to observe if the esports Olympics, with the official IOC branding and the backing of the official Olympic movement, has a different effect,” says George.

Some enthusiasts, players, and commentators abstained from the World Cup in protest against Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

George indicates that the esports Olympics will reignite discussions surrounding sportswashing – the notion that Saudi Arabia uses its substantial wealth to invest in sports and entertainment to enhance its global image – an allegation it refutes.

“You have this rather intriguing scenario,” notes George.

“Your significant esports occasion – esports transitions into an Olympic discipline.

“That’s notably captivating. But the only way it has essentially been made possible is through funding from Saudi Arabia.

“So, what are people’s sentiments regarding that?”

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