For many years now, people have enjoyed playing video games all over the world. From the early days of Mario to the current heights of Call of Duty, gaming has always been a popular activity to do. Gaming is also one of those activities where anyone can play, as due to the amount of games available, there’s something for every skill level around. So if you’re a beginner or someone that just likes a quiet relaxed game, you’ll find something to play. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced gamer that likes the competitive side, there are also a number of games for you.
Whether you’re looking to play the next first person shooter or just find the best online casinos in New Zealand, you’d be hard pressed to find someone that can’t find a game they enjoy. Because of the sheer amount of games being released all the time, each year there are new trends and booms in the market that take it by storm. From highly anticipated releases to ones no one saw coming, these will often shape how the year is going to go for the gaming industry.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the latest trends in the global gaming industry, how popular they are and what they’ve done for the industry.
Why is gaming so popular?
As mentioned above, gaming really is for everyone and you’d struggle to find someone who doesn’t have a game they’d enjoy. Because of this, the market for gaming is virtually endless, with everyone finding some way to enjoy it one way or another. It doesn’t matter on your skill level, as games are designed around different levels to ensure they’re met with the correct target audience.
For example, someone who only enjoys relaxed games wouldn’t likely pick up the latest copy of Call of Duty as it’s not for them, and someone who only likes action games wouldn’t pick up a copy of Animal Crossing. They’re very much designed in a way specific for certain people, ensuring they stay popular all year round.
Let’s take a look at some of the popular games recently released:
Marvel Rivals
Exploding onto the scene in November 2024 is Marvel Rivals. One of the most anticipated games in recent years, it’s been one of the most played games all around the world with millions of players logging in daily. The team shooter game allows players to play as some of their favourite superheroes such as Spiderman and Iron man, allowing them to live out their younger selves dreams.
The game has been loved for it’s balanced gameplay, with the developers frequently making tweaks and changes to ensure the game remains fair and fun. With new heroes being added each month, and with the popularity of Marvel, it’s hard to see this one dying down anytime soon.
Fortnite
Despite being released over seven years ago, Fortnite continues to push the limit on how much of an influence a game can have over one industry. The game continues to bring in millions of players daily with collaborations with numerous other industries such as movie and TV, ensuring both new and existing players continue to log back in and play.
The battle royale game brings in Billions each year in revenue and will continue to only grow as time goes by as more and more players join the world of Fortnite.
Other trends around the world
Mobile gaming
As more people around the world gain access to a smartphone, the mobile gaming industry continues to grow. The likes of Call of Duty Mobile and PubG Mobile took mobile gaming to a whole new level, allowing players to have an almost console and PC like experience from their phones. With new players each month joining, it’s hard to see another tech industry having a bigger 2025 than the mobile gaming one.
Virtual reality
In recent years, virtual reality has taken huge strides into becoming what it is today. With the release of the likes of the Meta Quest 3 and Apples Vision Pro’s, the technology has come a long way in recent times. With both these companies along with other competitors likely to bring a new device out this year, only time will tell how much further virtual reality has advanced in the next 12 months.
Gaming has been a massive part of peoples lives for generations, from playing split screen with friends at their houses to playing online till the early hours of the morning trying to get one last win, it’s something that brings people together and allows them to connect in ways they may not have been able to without the help of gaming.
What do you think will be the next big trend in the gaming industry?
