77% of game developers expect industry growth in 2025, and 90% of studios plan to release at least one new title.
This is according to Metaplay’s game Development Renaissance report, which surveyed 150 senior Unity developers in the UK and US by independent market research firm Atomik Research.
According to the report, the majority of respondents were optimistic about the industry’s growth this year. More than two-thirds of developers expected fewer layoffs and studio closures, and about three-quarters predicted more acquisitions and exits.
Regarding funding, 77% anticipate greater availability to fund new studies due to an increase in crowdfunding, angel investors, and community-backed investments. According to Metaplay, this allows for “greater creative control, flexibility, and early community support.”
63% of respondents also expect game development costs to be lower this year due to the use of AI-based technology.
Elsewhere in the report, more than one in three developers see cross-platform capability as an important factor in shipping live service games, and 71% expect cross-play demand to increase.
Speaking of live service games, 76% of respondents expect this segment to increase revenue, and 38% suggest that “content and regular updates” are important factors when launching a live trading title successful.
“Our findings have shown that live operations, cross-platform development and external technology are at the heart of the game development renaissance,” said Metaplay co-founder and CPO Teemu Haila.
“It represents an era in which studios no longer have to rely on a raw workforce to achieve growth. Instead, growth is achieved through smarter tools, more agile teams, and more precise strategy.”
