After years of layoffs and cancellations, we could be in for a better year in gaming. According to a new report by Metaplay, the industry could be poised for a major revival in 2025 — one that’s fundamentally driven by advancements in technology.
The Game Development Renaissance Report surveyed 150 tech leads and C-suite executives from Unity-based studios in the U.S. and the U.K., and most believe the next 12 months will bring renewed growth and innovation.
Over three-quarters of respondents (77%) are optimistic about the industry’s growth in 2025 and beyond. Rather than simply returning to form, many see the coming year as transformative, fueled by high-quality tools and better access to resources. This positivity is reflected in developers’ plans; nine in ten studios will release a new game in 2025, and 59% will launch new games next year specifically because of improvements in technology.
Many devs also feel good about their finances. The vast majority of developers (77%) reckon there’ll be increased access to funding for new studios, while 73% believe there’ll be more acquisitions and exits.
As for the games themselves, those surveyed expect the coming wave of titles to feature better functionality for players, such as cross-platform compatibility, accessibility, and live services. Three in four respondents said they believe live service games will generate more revenue in 2025 — quite a surprising take, given the outcomes of Concord and the never-to-be-seen God of War outing.
Metaplay’s report also highlights how developers are preparing to capitalize on this new phase of growth. Three-quarters of respondents foresee greater availability of high-quality tools, and 63% expect lower development costs.
Teemu Haila, Metaplay’s co-founder and chief product officer, said: “Our findings have shown that live ops, cross-platform development, and external technology are at the heart of the game development renaissance. The renaissance is so much more than a catchy headline. It’s a movement, a shift in the way game development is done.
“It represents an era where studios no longer have to rely on raw headcount to achieve growth. Instead, growth is achieved through smarter tooling, leaner teams, and sharper strategy.”
