Editorial
For a long time, people said everything would be better in 2025. However, the past three months have already shown us that 2025 will be just as challenging as 2024 – at least in the first half of the year. This is evident in many areas.
One of the key insights comes from the annual State of the industry survey by the GDC. At least for North America — and with only slight variations for other Western countries — it provides an accurate picture of the mood among game development companies. However, optimism remains limited. Only one-third of respondents are not at all concerned about their job security, and just 43% report that there have been no layoffs in their immediate environment. If you add the 16% who did not answer this question at all, it means that 40% of survey participants are directly or indirectly affected by the current wave of layoffs. But the GDC report also covers other important topics such as platforms, generative AI, and game engines. In this regard, I recommend two insightful interviews: one with Unity CEO Matthew Bromberg and another with My.Games Venture Capital Executive Director Nikita Matsokin, both of which offer valuable perspectives on the state of the industry.
Meanwhile, in Germany, funding remains the dominant topic – both before and after the election. We take a closer look at the relevant federal, state, and EU funding sources from a GSA perspective, summarizing what has happened so far and what is already planned for 2025. Of course, we also turn our attention to the latest game releases. To give away the plot: Grand Theft Auto 6 is, of course, not (yet) included. Nevertheless, the market still offers a fascinating variety — from long-awaited AAA titles to standout indie games.
Last but not least, some news about us: Unfortunately, the inflation-driven rise in costs has also impacted the paper and printing industry. As a result, we had to make a slight adjustment to the price of the annual subscription, which now
stands at €199.00 with this issue. However, the price for the monthly subscription, remains unchanged at €19.90.
Stephan Steininger
Content
05 EDITORIAL
08 BIG PICTURE
10 PEOPLE
Heads and headlines that have caused a stir in the games industry in the recent weeks.
12 COVER STORY
Great releases, a fantastic back catalogue and the next generation on the starting blocks – 2025 is Nintendo Switch‘s year.
FUNDING
16 FEDERAL FUNDING
Shortly after the election, there is the third funding freeze. And so the industry is shaking until the politicians get organised.
18 EU FUNDING
When bureaucracy meets full pockets: There are many ways to get support from the EU, but they are rarely easy. An overview by the EGDF offers help and guidance.
20 STATE LEVEL FUNDING
For years, the federal states have been constant partners and supporters of the German games industry. They not only provide financial assistance, but also expertise and events. And even the smaller federal states are doing a lot.
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
28 REPORT AND INSIGHTS
The 13th GDC State of the Game Industry Report outlines the current conditions of the sector, along with additional perspectives.
38 INTERVIEW: MY.GAMES VC
Nikita Matsokin of My.games Venture Capital (MGVC) talks about the challenges and adapting to the fast-changing mobile market.
42 INTERVIEW: UNITY
Matthew Bromberg, President and CEO of Unity, explains how Unity intends to regain the trust of the games industry.
PRODUCTS
50 UPCOMING GAMES
The first million-sellers of 2025 are out, and the next highlights are in the pipeline – including both big franchises and new IPs.
54 BRAND SPOTLIGHT
One of the most important releases of the year the respondents is Capcom‘s Monster Hunter Wilds. But how did were laid off this franchise become so popular?
58 DOOM: THE DARK AGES
60 CLAIR OBSCUR EXPEDITION 33
62 ROADCRAFT
63 COMMANDOS: ORIGINS
64 TEMPEST RISING
65 DUNE: AWAKENING
66 RELEASES ON PC
68 RELEASES ON PLAYSTATION
70 RELEASES ON SWITCH
72 RELEASES ON XBOX
74 IMPRINT
74 EVENTS
Download Issue 468
Subscribers also have access to old print editions of GamesMarkt in PDF format via our magazine archive. Please note that editions published before our language switch in March 2024 are in German.
