2025 has been the worst year on record for Xbox console sales in the UK, with a 39% decline, amid broader declines across the gaming hardware industry, while Sony's PS5 sales have also decreased but less sharply. The year has been challenging for Xbox due to hardware sales drops, layoffs, canceled games, and marketing constraints, though Microsoft plans to showcase upcoming titles in a future stream.
Josh Fairhurst, co-founder and former CEO of Limited Run Games, is stepping down from his role after 10 years to pursue new opportunities, while remaining involved as president until March and supporting the company's future.
In 2025, the Call of Duty franchise, once dominant in the gaming industry, was dethroned due to poor reception of Black Ops 7 and fierce competition from games like Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders, which attracted both casual and dedicated players with innovative gameplay and community engagement. Despite its decline, Call of Duty remains a major player, but industry analysts suggest it may need to innovate further to regain its top spot.
In 2025, Nintendo leads the gaming industry in media coverage, but when combining Xbox and Microsoft, they surpass PlayStation and Sony, highlighting Microsoft's significant presence in gaming news. The article also notes shifts in coverage over the past year, with some companies experiencing declines and others, like Nintendo and EA, seeing increases, especially with new console releases and game launches.
Ex-PlayStation boss Shawn Layden emphasizes the importance of console exclusives for pushing platform capabilities and maintaining brand identity, highlighting that if major characters like Mario or Nathan Drake appeared on other platforms, it would be a significant shift in the gaming industry.
The PlayStation 6 faces challenges such as a decline in first-party exclusives compared to previous generations and the difficulty in surpassing current high standards of graphics, which may result in a minimal generational leap and impact consumer interest and pricing strategies.
Since 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been the best-selling video game, with 48.2 million units sold, dominating the market alongside other top titles like Hogwarts Legacy and several Nintendo franchises, reflecting the industry's diverse offerings and regional sales trends.
The article argues that the phrase 'Xbox is dead' is outdated and inaccurate, highlighting how Xbox has transformed from a console-centric brand to a broader, more accessible gaming platform that emphasizes playing on any screen. Despite past hardware issues and industry skepticism, Xbox has achieved significant success in 2025 with a strong lineup of games and a focus on accessibility, challenging traditional notions of exclusivity and console wars.
The article wishes readers a Merry Christmas, reflecting on a successful 2025 for PS5 with numerous games, and thanks the community for their support. It highlights the upcoming end-of-year content, including a Game of the Year wrap-up, and looks forward to 2026's release schedule, encouraging readers to enjoy the holiday with family and their PS5. The author emphasizes ongoing coverage and upcoming releases like Code Violet in January.
2025 was a disappointing year for the gaming industry, marked by numerous game cancellations, significant layoffs, widespread adoption of AI technology leading to lower-quality content, rising game and console prices, and delays in highly anticipated releases like GTA 6, alongside ongoing issues with physical media decline and controversial corporate actions.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty, died in a fiery crash while driving a Ferrari on California's Angeles Crest Highway, with footage capturing the tragic incident; his passenger also died later in hospital.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty franchise and influential figure in the gaming industry, died at 55 in a car crash in California when his Ferrari veered off the road and caught fire. His death is considered a significant loss to the gaming community, with tributes highlighting his visionary leadership and impact on modern interactive entertainment.
The article highlights the best video games of 2025, emphasizing the prominence of independently developed titles like Blue Prince, which is considered one of the top games of the year, reflecting a strong trend in the gaming industry.
The Game Awards 2025 achieved a record-breaking 171 million global livestreams, surpassing previous years and even outpacing the Super Bowl's 127.7 million viewers, driven by major announcements and awards, marking it as the most watched in history.
The 2025 Game Awards set a new record with 171 million global livestreams across various digital platforms, marking a significant growth from previous years and highlighting the event's expanding influence in the gaming industry.
