Industry leadership is optimistic for 2025, with 98% of executives expecting consumer spending to increase or remain stable.
AI adoption is widespread, with 84% of companies already implementing the technology across functions like art, game design, and engineering.
The M&A landscape is expected to intensify, as 71% of executives anticipate more deal-making opportunities in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Mobile gaming is the primary growth driver, with 41% of leaders expecting increased in-app purchases and 31% projecting growth in advertising revenue.
The console market is largely stagnant, with 70% of respondents forecasting stable performance and only 15% predicting growth.
Companies are shifting toward expansion in 2025, prioritizing increased game development projects, higher budgets, and aggressive talent acquisition in engineering and development roles.
Content saturation and a difficult user acquisition environment are identified as the most significant hurdles facing the industry.
Industry leadership maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2025, with 98% of executives expecting consumer spending to either increase or remain stable. Growth expectations are strongest in the mobile sector, where 41% of leaders anticipate expansion in in-app purchases and 31% expect growth in advertising revenue. While the PC segment remains relatively healthy with a 33% growth projection, the console market appears more stagnant, as 70% of respondents forecast stable performance and only 15% predict growth. This outlook is tempered by concerns regarding content saturation and a challenging user acquisition environment, which are cited as the primary hurdles facing the industry.
Operational strategies for the coming year signal a shift toward expansion and increased investment. A majority of companies plan to initiate more game development projects in 2025 compared to the previous year, supported by higher or stable budgets and increased marketing spend. Talent acquisition remains a priority, particularly in game development and engineering roles. Furthermore, the mergers and acquisitions landscape is expected to intensify, with 71% of executives anticipating more opportunities in 2025 and none predicting a decrease in activity.
Artificial intelligence has reached a significant level of penetration within the sector, with 84% of companies reporting either limited implementation or advanced integration across multiple functions. Executives identify art, game design, and engineering as the areas where AI will provide the most significant value. These findings, compiled by a leading global investment bank specializing in gaming, reflect a sector transitioning from a period of consolidation toward a renewed focus on production, technological integration, and strategic deal-making.
