Gaming Culture Trends: What’s New, What’s Big in 2025

If there’s one industry in which there’s always something new going on, it’s gaming. From new titles being released to new pieces of tech arriving, those who love to wind down playing video games always have something to explore. 

With 2025 well past the halfway mark, we’ve already seen some standout things, and more is yet to come before the year ends. With that said, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the biggest trends that have or are set to emerge in the gaming culture in 2025.

Mobile Gaming Continues to Grow

Not so long ago, you had to have a powerful PC or a console to engage in serious gaming. Fast-forward to 2025, and we’re seeing more and more people play games on their mobile devices. Whether it’s a smartphone or a tablet, these things are slowly becoming go-to options for those who are into gaming.

Reports suggest that over half of all gaming revenue comes from mobile devices. This comes as no surprise considering how many titles are now playable on smartphones and tablets.

First, there are puzzle games and word searches, which have become a cornerstone of mobile gaming. They have their fans among both younger and older audiences, and generate a lot of revenue through commercials and in-app purchases.

Also popular are online casino games, which offer players the same experience they’d have in a physical venue. With one of the apps that fall under this category, you’re always just a few taps away from a game of blackjack or poker. You can check out the best UK non Gamstop casinos online to find the best platforms, many of which have their own mobile apps.

Lastly, there are well-known PC and console games that have their mobile versions. Riot Games released a mobile version of League of Legends a few years ago, Fortnite has been available on smartphones and tablets for quite a while, and the examples go on and on.

AI is Becoming a Major Topic

We haven’t seen a new tech take the world by storm like artificial intelligence (AI) in quite awhile. Despite the fact that AI is still in its early days, it’s already starting to impact almost every industry, including gaming.

This tech has the potential to bring players something they’ve been dreaming about ever since video games became a thing — more intelligent NPCs. If AI continues to advance at the pace it’s been growing in recent years, we could soon see developers employ it to create NPCs that think like humans and interact with the player in ways we’ve never seen before.

We’re still in the era of chatbots and scripted dialogue trees, but with every major company keeping its eyes on this amazing new tech, it’s only a matter of time before we’ll get to see AI bring NPCs to life.

The best part is that this is just one of many applications AI can have in gaming. Players are already imagining how it could one day alter storylines and make the same video game an entirely different experience for every player. It could also make in-game worlds more dynamic and create more personalised experiences.

There are some concerns, though. The biggest issue is that if development companies start relying on AI more while creating video games, it could lead to some workers losing their jobs.

Cross-Platform Gaming is Becoming Standard

Gamers can choose for themselves on which device they want to play their favourite titles. Some prefer playing on PC, some on console, while others play only on their mobile devices.

Before, all these groups were limited to playing against or with others using the same device. Gradually, more and more games started introducing cross-platform play, allowing players to play with whoever they want, regardless of which device they’re on.

The introduction of cross-platform play was exactly what players were waiting for ever since playing online with friends became possible.

Now, we’re entering an era in which allowing cross-platform gaming is no longer a plus, but a necessity for new online titles. Whether or not a game allows cross-platform play has become the first thing players look at when purchasing a new title.

Even those who play alone prefer games that offer cross-platform gaming as it leads to a bigger player pool, faster matchmakering, and a better overall experience for everyone.

And it’s not only players who get something out of the cross-platform option. Developers and publishers benefit from it too, as they no longer have to manage multiple systems and foster larger, more active communities.

Familiar Genres Still Dominate Gaming Circles

Lastly, we have to talk about the hottest genres in gaming right now. While each type of video game has a fanbase of its own, some of them are more popular than others.

There are, of course, RPGs, MOBAs, and shooters that have stuck around for years and don’t look like they’ll be slowing down any time soon. If you look at Twitch numbers for September 2025, the two games with the most viewers are Dota 2 and League of Legends.

Right behind these two titles is GTA V, which is about to get its long-awaited sequel in May 2026. There’s no doubt this is going to be one of the biggest game releases ever, as players had to wait for over 12 years for their favourite franchise to return. The GTA VI trailer looks incredible and fans of the franchise are counting days until the game arrives.

With the final few months of 2025 in front of us, we’re also currently seeing new sports games arrive. NBA 2K26 and Madden 26 have recently been released, and EA FC 26 is set to fully arrive in the coming weeks. Titles like this also spark interest in browser sports games, such as Master Soccer. After Sports Interactive cancelled Football Manager 2025, the 2026 version of the game is set to be released in November, bringing players a new match engine and a bunch of other novelties.

In streaming circles, horror games remain extremely popular, with live audiences tuning in to watch their favourite content creators getting scared out of their minds.