How do game industry executives look back at 2025 and what do they think about 2026? We spoke to Dr. Anika Thun, CEO of Kalypso Media Group GmbH, to find out.
GamesMarkt: What is your verdict as you look back on 2025?
Dr. Anika Thun: "2025 marked a defining chapter for us as a company with important milestones and major developments. The successful release of Commandos: Origins and the announcement of Tropico 7 were key highlights that generated momentum within our community. Gamescom also stood out: having booths in both the B2C and B2B areas strengthened our visibility among players and deepened industry relationships.
On a political level, we saw progress in national games funding, signaling a meaningful shift toward greater cultural acceptance of video games. However, the funding processes remain complex and difficult to plan long-term. At the same time, the broader industry faced challenges due to widespread layoffs, highlighting the importance of sustainable, resilient studio structures moving forward."
GamesMarkt: What are your predictions for the gaming industry in 2026?
Dr. Anika Thun: "In 2026, we expect player behavior to become more selective, driven in part by economic pressures. As inflation affects purchasing power, players will increasingly focus on games that offer strong value for money and align with their preferences and play styles. It will become more important for developers to build authentic experiences for clearly defined audiences rather than aiming for broad appeal. Smaller but highly engaged communities may become more relevant, as they tend to support their favorite franchises for longer periods.
At the same time, high-quality post-launch support will remain essential for maintaining long-term engagement. Strong community management, transparent communication, and regular content updates will continue to shape the success of many titles. Standing out in a crowded market will remain a major challenge."
GamesMarkt: How is the Kalypso Media Group positioned for 2026?
Dr. Anika Thun: "Kalypso enters 2026 well prepared, both nationally and internationally, with a clear strategic focus and a strong development pipeline. The year is especially meaningful as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, reflecting the stability and dedication of our teams.
Our focus on established IPs with loyal communities remains a core strength, and the upcoming releases of Tropico 7 (coinciding with the franchise’s 25th anniversary), Disciples: Domination, and Sudden Strike 5 form a robust portfolio for the year. We are refining our internal processes to enable efficient collaboration across our studios and with our partners, and we benefit from strong 1st-party partnerships for development and distribution. Overall, we believe we are well-positioned for 2026, committed to quality, sustainable growth, and long-term franchise development.
Kalypso Media Group GmbH is an independent publisher, developer and marketer of interactive entertainment software. It has more than 200 employees across ten locations in Germany, England, France, Japan and the USA. The group comprises Kasedo Games, Kalypso Media Group's digital label, and four in-house development studios: Realmforge Studios (Dungeons series), Gaming Minds Studios (based in Gütersloh and Paderborn; Railway Empire, Port Royale and Tropico 7) and Claymore Game Studios (Commandos: Origins).
