Gaming Industry Predictions for 2026: Experts Weigh In

The gaming industry is poised for significant developments in 2026, with experts predicting a mix of trends, challenges, and opportunities. One key aspect is the anticipated delay of GTA 6, which could lead to expectation fatigue and impact investor confidence. Meanwhile, AI investment is expected to raise the barrier to entry for gaming hardware, potentially limiting accessibility for new players. The Switch 2 is forecasted to struggle in matching the success of its predecessor, while Xbox may adopt a more aggressive strategy towards the PS5. Other predictions include the rise of cross-platform play, increased experimentation with AI-driven gameplay, and a growing focus on cloud gaming services targeting casual, family-oriented audiences. The sports games market is also expected to see significant activity, especially with the World Cup, leading to more convergence between live sports and gaming content. Established games IP are likely to explore user-generated content platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, further blurring the lines between different types of gaming experiences. Regulation and direct-to-consumer initiatives will become more commonplace, with a potential impact on game discovery channels and profitability. Lastly, there's an anticipation of more investment in the gaming sector, particularly in companies that can capitalize on the next industry disruption, along with a shift towards more cooperative and collaborative gaming experiences.