Survey Reveals High Expectations for Gaming Industry Growth in 2025

A significant proportion of game developers, approximately 77%, are optimistic about the gaming industry's prospects for growth in 2025. Furthermore, the vast majority of studios, around 90%, intend to release at least one new game this year. These findings are based on a report by Metaplay, which compiled data from a survey of 150 senior Unity developers in the UK and US, conducted by the independent market research firm Atomik Research. The report suggests that most respondents are bullish about the industry's growth this year, with over two-thirds anticipating fewer layoffs and studio closures, and roughly three-quarters predicting more acquisitions and exits. In terms of funding, the majority of developers, around 77%, expect increased availability of funding for new studios, driven by growth in crowdfunding, angel investors, and community-backed investments, which Metaplay believes allows for greater creative control, flexibility, and early community support. Additionally, 63% of those surveyed anticipate lower game development costs this year, attributed to the utilization of artificial intelligence-based technologies. The report also highlights the importance of cross-platform capability, with over one in three developers considering it a key factor in shipping live service games, and 71% expecting increased demand for cross-play. Moreover, 76% of respondents expect the live service games segment to drive revenue growth, with 38% citing regular content and updates as crucial factors in the success of live ops titles. According to Metaplay co-founder and CPO Teemu Haila, the findings indicate that live ops, cross-platform development, and external technology are central to the game development renaissance, marking a shift towards growth achieved through smarter tooling, leaner teams, and sharper strategy, rather than reliance on raw headcount.