Metaplay's flagship industry report surveys 150 Unity developers and C-level execs to uncover the trends driving a new era of game development, from smarter tools and leaner teams to the rise of live service games.
Is the games industry on the cusp of a brighter future?
Our data paints an optimistic picture for the games industry in 2025. According to our survey, 77% of respondents anticipate significant industry growth, driven by increased funding opportunities, strategic acquisitions, and fewer studio closures.
Much of this optimism stems from the expected success of live service games. An impressive 75% of developers are optimistic that live service games will generate more revenue than ever before. For 38% of respondents, LiveOps stands out as the most critical feature for a game's success. Metaplay has supported developers for several years in providing regular updates and events, and dynamic content and LiveOps will continue to be key for studios in 2025.
Tooling is key to the next phase of growth
As we've always championed at Metaplay, high-quality tooling is foundational to game development success. Our report shows that 75% of developers expect a greater availability of advanced tools in 2025. Nearly half (48%) of developers are planning to adopt external technologies to enhance their workflows and deliver better results.
Industry Leader Insights on the Game Development Renaissance
Michelangelo, Raphael, and Da Vinci: no Renaissance would be complete without its visionaries, and this one is no exception. Our report features insights from leading industry voices, including John Wright, Michail Katkoff, and Riku Rakkola. You'll find their insights inside with commentary and in-depth Q&As shedding light on their thoughts toward the mobile games industry in 2025.
Are you ready for the Game Development Renaissance?
The Game Development Renaissance is not just a trend - it's a movement reshaping the entire industry. Developers now have access to tools and strategies that empower them to build smarter, scale faster, and deliver unforgettable player experiences.
As we begin this new Renaissance, Metaplay is committed to supporting developers every step of the way, from your first line of code to ongoing LiveOps and player support.
Read the full interviews from the Game Development Renaissance series:
FAQ
What did Metaplay's Game Development Renaissance survey find about live service game growth?
75% of the 150 Unity developers and C-level executives surveyed are optimistic that live service games will generate more revenue than ever, and 77% anticipate significant industry growth overall driven by increased funding, strategic acquisitions, and fewer studio closures. The data points to live service as the dominant growth model heading into 2025.
What do game developers see as the most critical feature for a game's long-term success?
LiveOps – 38% of respondents identified it as the single most critical factor. Providing regular updates, dynamic content, and in-game events is what separates games that retain players across multiple years from those that peak at launch and decline.
How are game studios planning to close their tooling gaps in 2025?
75% of developers expect greater availability of advanced tools, and 48% are actively planning to adopt external technologies to improve their workflows. The shift reflects a broader move away from building everything in-house toward platform-first development, where backend and LiveOps infrastructure are handled by specialist providers.
Which industry leaders contributed to Metaplay's Game Development Renaissance report?
The report features John Wright on LiveOps and forever games, Eeva Aaltonen on brand and IP, Markus Hjort on generative AI, Gil Tov Ly on direct-to-consumer strategies, and Oliver Kern on the state of the games industry. Full interviews for each are published separately on the Metaplay blog.
