This analysis evaluates the impact of the 2025 "Not-E3" and Summer Game Fest showcases by tracking Steam follower and wishlist growth for over 700 unique titles. The primary objective is to identify which game announcements generated the most significant audience interest in the five-day period following their respective reveals. The methodology relies on verifiable Steam platform data, including follower counts and wishlist additions, to rank titles and compare the relative effectiveness of various industry showcases.
Key findings indicate that Summer Game Fest served as the most influential event, yielding a median of 56,068 new wishlists per game, followed by the Xbox and PlayStation showcases. High-performing titles were characterized by a mix of established franchises—such as Resident Evil Requiem, Atomic Heart 2, and Grounded 2—and notable new entries like The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. While genre trends favored gritty action, horror, and sci-fi, the data suggests that mainstream appeal often correlates with higher wishlist volume, whereas veteran strategy audiences are more likely to engage with the "follow" function.
The scope of the analysis covers the global video game industry during the June 2025 event window. Beyond showcase performance, the findings highlight broader market trends, including the rapid adoption of the Nintendo Switch 2, which recorded 3.5 million units sold in its first four days. Additionally, the data reveals a platform-agnostic landscape where Steam remains the dominant PC storefront, while third-party developer support for the Switch 2 appears constrained by limited access to early development hardware. The analysis concludes that while major showcases remain effective drivers of discovery, the diversity of successful titles underscores the lack of a singular, guaranteed formula for marketing success in the current gaming climate.