Gaming tendencies to observe in 2026

The video video games trade is unpredictable.

If you’d instructed us this time final 12 months {that a} beforehand unknown French studio would declare sport of the 12 months, Battlefield 6 would knock Call of Duty off the highest of the annual charts and that Saudi Arabia would purchase gaming big Electronic Arts (EA) we might have been… sceptical.

So you’d should be very certain of your self – or very silly – to attempt to predict what is going on to occur within the 12 months forward.

Luckily, we’re not within the crystal ball enterprise right here at BBC Newsbeat, however there are some things we could be assured online game followers ought to control in 2026.

Whether it’s massive releases, massive strikes or massive points – right here’s a rundown of a few of the most necessary issues to look out for.

“A cultural moment, a day millions of players have been awaiting for a very, very long time.”

Sound acquainted? It ought to. It’s what we wrote about Grand Theft Auto 6 this time last year.

Two delays and one new trailer later, and we’re roughly the place we had been 12 months in the past.

Assuming it comes out, as deliberate, on 19 November, it can virtually definitely break data.

And you’ll be able to guess different publishers will need to launch their very own 2026 video games as far-off from it as attainable.

But the massive query stays: “Will it get delayed again?”

Publisher Take Two says it is assured the brand new date will maintain, nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not developer Rockstar’s current sacking of 31 workers – which included skilled staff members – will have an effect on the sport.

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Like this 12 months, when publishers manoeuvered round GTA 6’s authentic “late 2025” launch date, 2026 is front-loaded with vital releases.

Japanese big Capcom unleashes Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth most important entry in its blockbuster horror sequence, in February, adopted by sci-fi motion journey Pragmata in April.

Sony can be planning to drop PlayStation unique Saros, a follow-up to 2021’s widely-praised Returnal, in April.

While Wolverine, the subsequent superhero smash from Spider-Man studio Insomniac – one other in-house Sony developer – is ready to reach within the autumn.

May will see the arrival of 007 First Light – the celeb-filled James Bond journey from Hitman developer IO Interactive.

Nintendo can be trying to preserve the momentum of its record-breaking Switch 2 launch this 12 months.

Ones to observe embody Pokopia – a comfortable tackle Pokémon – and on-line multiplayer The Duskbloods from Elden Ring maker FromSoftware.

Fans have complained concerning the lack of a model new Mario or Zelda sport and, as issues stand, neither has been introduced but. But the corporate’s acquired type for asserting massive new video games mere months earlier than they launch.

Microsoft not too long ago teased massive reveals for its January 2026 Developer Direct showcase and, except we’re instructed in any other case, is because of launch Fable – its reboot of the very British fantasy RPG sequence – and Gears of War: E-Day someday throughout the 12 months.

Marking 25 years of its Xbox model might additionally give the corporate an opportunity to win again followers after backlashes over studio closures, value rises to its Game Pass subscription service and its decision to release flagship series on rival consoles.

And that is simply the most important publishers. Expect extra indie surprises to take centre stage subsequent 12 months.

Our one-to-watch is Raccoin – a rating assault sport impressed by arcade coin-pusher machines.

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Random-access reminiscence, or RAM, is a crucial element in hundreds of thousands of digital gadgets together with smartphones, Smart TVs, medical tools and even vehicles.

It’s additionally been getting actually, actually costly.

Demand from Artificial Intelligence (AI) information centre initiatives has been blamed, with a few of the world’s greatest RAM producers pivoting in direction of supplying demand from massive tech corporations.

Micron, proprietor of the Crucial model bought in lots of on-line and excessive avenue outlets, not too long ago introduced it was ceasing its consumer business to focus on demand from AI companies.

All of which has created a scarcity that, based on some analysts, might ultimately push up costs of electronics, with online game consoles excessive on the record of potential casualties.

Business web site Bloomberg reported that production costs for Nintendo’s Switch 2 could rise and there are additionally issues that Valve’s upcoming PC-console hybrid Steam Machine might be delayed, or dearer, because of the state of affairs.

So far, no online game firms have commented.

In the video games trade, which has confronted 1000’s of layoffs in recent times, discussions about generative AI (GenAI) and its affect on jobs are particularly fierce.

Just this month Swen Vincke, the boss of multi-award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3 maker Larian Studios, confronted a backlash when he told interviewers the company had explored using GenAI for developing with concepts and early prototypes.

He stated no AI content material would seem in its completed video games nor substitute human employees however, in a follow-up response, stated it could be “irresponsible” to not assess new applied sciences.

Despite early claims that GenAI might permit folks to make video games extra shortly at a fraction of the present prices, it is unclear how a lot of an affect it is really had.

Developers who’ve spoken to BBC Newsbeat say it isn’t broadly utilized in completed merchandise as a consequence of a mixture of moral, authorized and sensible issues, however loads of firms have not less than tried utilizing it for pre-production work.

Some smaller firms proudly state that they do not use the instruments at any stage of growth.

Against a backdrop of uncertainty over the long-term future of GenAI, it stays to be seen how far its use will unfold.

But it is a subject that fosters robust feelings from gamers and employees inside the trade, so count on extra controversies because the 12 months ploughs on.

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Electronic Arts (EA), the writer of Battlefield 6, EA FC and The Sims, is among the world’s greatest online game firms, liable for titles that repeatedly prime bestseller charts.

The announcement it had accepted a record-breaking $55bn (£41bn) bid from a Saudi Arabia-led funding group got here as a shock.

It’s the nation’s newest massive transfer into gaming, which it says is a part of wider efforts to make its financial system much less reliant on oil.

But critics imagine it is a type of “sportswashing” – investing in leisure in an try to melt its worldwide fame as a consequence of its anti-LGBT legal guidelines and human rights report.

The nation’s conservative cultural values have prompted issues over the affect the deal might have on sure EA sequence.

The Sims, which has an enormous LGBT fanbase, confronted a revolt from a few of its best-known content material creators when some minimize official ties in protest in opposition to the buyout.

EA replied with an announcement saying the sport would “always be a space where you can express your authentic self”.

There are additionally issues that the deal might lead to additional lay-offs at EA, which has taken on $20bn of debt to finance the acquisition.

If all goes to plan, the deal ought to be accomplished by the summer season, when there ought to be extra readability on the way forward for a few of gaming’s hottest sequence.

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