GameIndustry has a traditional annual tradition where, at the end of the year, they survey industry experts and ask for their predictions for the upcoming year. Not all of the predictions, of course, come true (for example, many expected to see the announcement of the Switch 2 in 2024), but their analysis is quite interesting.

So, what do the experts predict? First, a major success for Grand Theft Auto VI. This prediction seems the most obvious. The only question is whether Rockstar Games will actually release their creation this year. Because if there is a delay, some experts believe it could seriously impact the dynamics of 2025.

Secondly, experts are concerned about the future of Ubisoft. Ubisoft is expected to undergo significant changes, according to Emmanuel Rosier of Newzoo and Serkan Toto of Kantan Games. The experts are confident that the company is on the brink of major changes that could lead to a merger, privatization, or even disbandment.

Piers Harding-Rolls from Ampere Analysis believes that the future of Ubisoft largely depends on the success of Assassin's Creed Shadows. According to him, if the game is successful, it could shift the positions of various parties in negotiations over privatization, which, in turn, could delay any potential changes within the company.

Finally, the third big topic is Switch 2. Everything points to the new console being released next year, and there are interesting differing opinions on the matter. Serkan Toto believes that the demand for Switch 2 will be so high that Nintendo will simply not have enough consoles to meet it.

Emmanuel Rosier, however, pointed out that the device might indeed be successful, but to surpass the success of the original Switch, it will need to offer players powerful exclusives. The logic is simple: the Nintendo Switch has already been purchased by many, and backward compatibility doesn’t seem like a feature that would make consumers buy a new version. There hasn't been anything more enticing offered yet.

Finally, experts note that this year could be a breakthrough for portable gaming, and that generative AI will divide executives and developers in the industry regarding this tool. The year 2025 is expected to be very interesting!

Main image: alphacoders.com

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