2025 Gaming Hype: The Future Is Bright, but Is It Certain?
January 3rd, 2025 Podcast Recap
This week on Good Playing With You, we gazed into the near future to explore everything gaming in 2025. Anticipation is high, but so are the questions. Will this be the year of blockbusters and reinventions, or are we looking at delays, missteps, and maybe even some creative burnout? Let’s dig into what’s got us excited, skeptical, and downright prophetic.
What We’re Excited About: Big Names, Big Expectations
The gaming landscape of 2025 looks massive, with some of the industry’s most beloved franchises on the horizon. From Avowed’s promise of Skyrim-like magic and choice to the impending cultural juggernaut of GTA 6, 2025 could be an unforgettable year—if the games actually release on time. Dan Whitehill, Matthew Maulding, and Matt Lord couldn’t help but dive into the possibilities.
For Dan, GTA 6 looms large, and it’s easy to see why. Rockstar’s track record for delivering groundbreaking titles has gamers holding their breath. But with all the secrecy and speculation, the question isn’t just when, but how they’ll drop this bombshell. Will it be another two-part release with a delayed multiplayer? And can Rockstar keep their streak of cultural dominance alive?
Meanwhile, Avowed has Maulding cautiously optimistic. With tantalizing glimpses of its world and mechanics, it’s scratching that Skyrim itch for RPG lovers. However, the specter of delays and unfulfilled promises looms large, and we all remember how Outer Worlds left some fans wanting more. Can it deliver a truly rich fantasy experience?
Lord’s heart is with Death Stranding 2. The original’s “walking simulator” label might be reductive, but its emotional storytelling and unique mechanics left an indelible mark. Will Kojima’s sequel deepen the experience or take it too far into the bizarre? And, of course, the crew couldn’t ignore Monster Hunter Wilds, Fable, and even the dark horse, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. These games could be 2025’s best surprises—or its biggest disappointments.
The Sus: Games We’re Not So Sure About
It’s not all hype in the gaming world. The team also discussed the titles that have them raising an eyebrow. And let’s just say, not every beloved franchise is guaranteed to deliver.
For instance, Maulding’s optimism about Fable is tempered by the series’ rocky history. It’s been over a decade since the last installment, and while the trailers suggest a return to its quirky, British roots, there’s still a lot of uncertainty. As much as we want to love the humor and adventure of Fable, the gaming world has changed a lot since its heyday.
Then there’s Borderlands 4, which seems to be leaning heavily on its past success. Dan’s skepticism came through loud and clear: “The trailer looks like trash.” Still, the desire to recapture the magic of Borderlands 2 is strong, even if the humor feels a bit tired.
And let’s not forget Elden Ring: Nightreign. Both Matt and Dan agreed that this spin-off seems like a cash grab, potentially diluting the legacy of one of the most celebrated games of all time. If this game is just Elden Ring with some new multiplayer tweaks, will it truly satisfy fans?
Looking Into the Crystal Ball: Predictions for 2025
This week’s wildest segment brought out the Nostradamus (or, Nerdstradumbass) in all of us. What does 2025 hold for the gaming industry? The team didn’t hold back with their boldest (and weirdest) predictions:
Maulding’s Hot Take: Ark 2, the long-anticipated sequel starring Vin Diesel, might never see the light of day. The lack of updates and its shift to third-person gameplay make this a shaky proposition.
Lord’s Dream: Sony surprises the world with a true PSP successor. Portable gaming with PS4-level graphics? Yes, please.
Dan’s Gloomy Reality: GTA 6 launches in two parts, with its online component delayed to late 2026. As frustrating as this might be, the reasoning is all too familiar—monetary success.
A New Challenger Approaches: Valve steps into the console market, leveraging its Steam dominance to challenge Microsoft and Sony. This one? If it happens, it could change the industry forever.
Other predictions ranged from the long-awaited reveal of Elder Scrolls 6 (with a far-off 2027 release date) to a surprise return for Peggle 3. And perhaps the boldest of all? The crew predicted Good Playing With You will hit 1,000,000 followers on YouTube in 2025. Believe it.
Ending on a High Note: Name That Video Game Tune
The episode wrapped with a musical twist as Dan challenged the Matts to name classic video game tracks. From Animal Crossing to Contra and Uncharted, the competition was fierce. It ended in a tie, setting the stage for a rematch in future episodes.
Final Thoughts
2025 has all the ingredients to be an amazing year for gaming—if studios can deliver on their promises. Between the highly-anticipated releases, wild industry developments, and the occasional dud, there’s plenty to look forward to and worry about.
As always, thanks for tuning in to Good Playing With You. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with your friends, and join us next week for more gaming goodness. And until then, as always, Good Playing With You.