Metaplay is proclaiming the beginning of a “Game Development Renaissance,” heralding a new era of growth, innovation, and operational excellence driven by advances in technology, fresh approaches to creativity, and better tools and strategies.
Like the Renaissance centuries ago – which propelled leaps in art, science, and productivity – this modern iteration is creating limitless potential for game developers. Key findings from Metaplay’s report bolster this vision, painting a picture of an industry on the cusp of revitalisation.
Industry optimism following challenges
The past few years have been a rollercoaster for game developers, with challenges such as Apple’s IDFA changes, fluctuating user acquisition (UA) costs, and a post-pandemic slowdown. However, the mood is shifting, with 77% of game developers expressing optimism about the industry’s growth.
Projections support this optimism, with global revenue for games expected to hit almost $190 billion this year.
Elina Arponen, CEO of Quicksave, captures this sentiment: “I’ve been in the industry for 20 years, and this has been one of the biggest periods of turbulence. But with that turbulence undoubtedly comes fresh opportunity.
“There’s space for newcomers as old models crumble, opening avenues for innovation and exciting new ways to run games businesses.”
Developers also foresee broader industry success. An impressive 73% anticipate an increase in acquisitions and exits, 71% expect fewer layoffs and studio closures, and 76% predict more publishing deals as the market stabilises and funding opportunities grow.
Surge in new games and quality standards
The Renaissance is also marked by a sharp increase in game launches and quality expectations.
Metaplay reports that 90% of developers expect to launch at least one new game in 2025, with 59% of respondents citing better technological tools as the main factor enabling these ambitions. However, it’s not just the quantity of games that’s set to rise.
Following years of titles gaining notoriety for launching bug-laden or poorly optimised titles, over two-thirds of developers (68%) expect to see more high-quality games—reflecting the industry’s commitment to meeting evolving player expectations. Developers are shifting from a “launch and leave” model toward one that embraces long-term engagement.
Metaplay identified the top three qualities developers believe are crucial to shipping a successful game in 2025: strong player progression and rewards (39%), regular content updates with live service support (38%), and cross-platform compatibility (38%). Of those studios not launching new games, 53% are instead focusing on improving existing titles to tap into the potential of legacy portfolios.
Live service: Deeper metagames and increased revenue
Live service games have gained a negative reputation among gamers with often low quality content and exploitative practices. Nevertheless, they’ve become a linchpin of game development strategies.
In 2025, 73% of developers anticipate deeper metagames as players demand layered systems with progression paths, overlapping challenges, and bespoke rewards tailored to their gameplay habits. Developers aim to create “forever games” that not only sustain engagement but also retain players for years.
With metagames becoming increasingly sophisticated, developers expect live service games to yield greater revenues too. 75% of respondents foresee live service games as generating more revenue in 2025, driven by regular updates, seasonal content, and personalised LiveOps strategies.
The need to integrate LiveOps early in the design process is becoming critical. Yet one in four studios (27%) delays consideration of LiveOps until after a game’s global launch. According to Metaplay, this reactive approach risks hindering long-term player engagement and revenue potential.
Cross-platform becomes an imperative
Cross-platform integration has moved from a technical novelty to a strategic necessity, with 31% of developers considering it the most important feature at the early concepting stage of development. By 2025, more than 70% of developers predict player demand for cross-platform functionality will rise as players increasingly expect seamless transitions across devices.
Games like Fortnite and Genshin Impact have set a new standard with seamless cross-platform experiences, creating ecosystems where progress, purchases, and social connections persist across platforms. These features strengthen loyalty, reduce player churn, and boost lifetime value (LTV).
Combined with web-based distribution technologies like WebGL and HTML5, cross-platform play is opening significant new opportunities for developers. Modern tools are also levelling the playing field, making once-complex cross-platform features more accessible.
Technology and tooling advancements
As development pipelines evolve, 75% of developers now anticipate greater availability of high-quality tools in 2025. External platforms are reducing the need for studios to manage complex infrastructure, enabling them to focus on crafting standout IPs.
One of the most significant outcomes of this shift, according to 63% of respondents, is lower development costs. Developers are increasingly leveraging Game Backend-as-a-Service (GBaaS) platforms, AI tools, and LiveOps automation to cut costs while improving speed and scalability.
Riku Rakkola, CEO of Future Run, highlights the impact of such tools: “With the right tools, smaller teams can now achieve what used to require much larger teams and far more time. What felt impossible 10 years ago is now standard practice.”
An overwhelming 48% of developers say they plan to adopt external tech as part of their strategy in 2025, while only 6% plan to rely solely on internal tech. This marks a shift from the traditional “not built here” mindset to one of pragmatism and efficiency.
Funding and publishing
Diversity in funding is also paving the way for innovation. With crowdfunding, angel syndicates, and community-led investments alongside traditional venture capital, developers are more empowered to finance their projects sustainably.
On the publishing side, developers report a surge in interest. Some 76% foresee increased availability of publishing deals, with publishers more willing than ever to collaborate with smaller studios.
Not only are publishers diversifying their portfolios beyond AAA games, but flexible co-development partnerships are granting smaller teams greater control over their intellectual property (IP).
Self-publishing is gaining momentum too. Advances in direct-to-consumer (DTC) platforms like Appcharge are giving studios the tools to bypass major app stores while retaining more revenue and control over their player relationships.
A sustainable future
While past cycles of rapid hiring and layoffs destabilised the industry, 71% of developers now anticipate healthier hiring trends with fewer layoffs and closures. Focused live service teams and lean, efficient production pipelines are creating a more balanced and stable work environment.
In an industry increasingly driven by operational efficiency, the impact of better tools and technology cannot be overstated. From external backends reducing technical debt to LiveOps automation boosting player retention, developers today are positioned to create better games with less risk and fewer resources.
The findings by Metaplay highlight an industry ripe for evolution, marked by optimism and opportunity. By embracing external technology, streamlining development, and focusing on the player experience, studios are entering an era defined by creativity and smarter practices.
Teemu Haila, Co-Founder and CPO at Metaplay, said: “Our findings have shown that LiveOps, cross-platform development, and external technology are at the heart of the Game Development Renaissance.
“The Renaissance is so much more than a catchy headline. It’s a movement, a shift in the way game development is done. It represents an era where studios no longer have to rely on raw headcount to achieve growth. Instead, growth is achieved through smarter tooling, leaner teams, and sharper strategy.”
For game developers, 2025 offers the potential to not only build successful games but to reimagine how games are created, delivered, and played. This Renaissance isn’t just about growth—it’s about achieving new heights in creativity, commercial success, and sustainability.
See also: Game Porting Toolkit 2 exits beta amid Mac gaming drive
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