I’d like you to consider this a “yes … and” piece to complement Joe’s post. I’m just trying to reject what he’s saying, but I’m just trying to give some context to initiatives and opportunities where AI can make a difference for people with disabilities. To be clear, I’m not saying that there aren’t true threats or pressing problems with AI that need to be addressed—there are, and we’ve needed to address them, like, yesterday—but I want to take a little time to talk about what’s possible in hope that we’ll get there one day.

Other words

Joe’s article spends a lot of time examining how computer vision models can create other words. He raises a lot of valid points about the state of the world right now. And while computer-vision concepts continue to improve in the quality and complexity of information in their information, their benefits aren’t wonderful. He argues to be accurate that the state of image research is currently very poor, especially for some image types, in large part due to the absence of contextual contexts in which to look at images ( as a result of having separate “foundation” models for words analysis and image analysis ). Today’s models aren’t trained to distinguish between images that are contextually relevant ( that should probably have descriptions ) and those that are purely decorative ( which might not need a description ) either. Nonetheless, I still think there’s possible in this area.

As Joe mentions, human-in-the-loop publishing of alt word should definitely be a factor. And if AI can intervene and provide a starting point for alt text, even if the rapid reads,” What is this BS?” That’s certainly correct at all … Let me try to offer a starting point— I think that’s a win.

If we can specifically station a design to examine image usage in context, it might help us more quickly determine which images are likely to be elegant and which ones are likely to need a description. That will help clarify which situations require image descriptions, and it will increase authors ‘ effectiveness in making their sites more visible.

The image example provided in the GPT4 announcement provides an interesting opportunity as well, even though complex images like graphs and charts are challenging to describe in any kind of succinct way ( even for humans ). Let’s say you came across a map that was simply the description of the chart’s title and the type of representation it was: Pie map comparing smartphone usage to have phone usage in US households earning under$ 30, 000 annually. ( That would be a pretty bad alt text for a chart because it would frequently leave many unanswered questions about the data, but let’s just assume that that was the description in place. ) Imagine a world where people could ask questions about the vivid if their browser knew that the image was a dessert chart ( because an ship model concluded this ).

• Are there more smartphone users than have devices?
• How many more?
• Do you know of any persons who don’t fall under either of these categories?
• How many is that?

Setting aside the realities of large language model ( LLM) hallucinations—where a model just makes up plausible-sounding “facts” —for a moment, the opportunity to learn more about images and data in this way could be revolutionary for blind and low-vision folks as well as for people with various forms of color blindness, cognitive disabilities, and so on. It might also be helpful in education settings to assist those who can see these charts as they are able to comprehend the data contained therein.

What if you could request your website to make a complicated chart simpler? What if you demanded that the line graph be isolated into just one collection? What if you could request your computer to transform the colors of the various lines so that it works better for your type of color blindness? What if you asked it to switch shades in favor of habits? Given these resources ‘ chat-based interface and our existing ability to manipulate photos in today’s AI devices, that seems like a chance.

Imagine a specially designed unit that could extract the data from that chart and transfer it to another format. For example, perhaps it could turn that pie chart ( or better yet, a series of pie charts ) into more accessible ( and useful ) formats, like spreadsheets. That would be wonderful!

Matching techniques

When Safiya Umoja Noble chose to put her guide Algorithms of Oppression, she hit the nail on the head. Although her book focused on the methods that search engines can foster racism, I believe it to be extremely accurate to say that all laptop models have the potential to intensify issue, discrimination, and hatred. We all know that poorly written and maintained algorithms are incredibly harmful, whether it’s Twitter constantly showing you the most recent tweet from a drowsy billionaire, YouTube sending us into a q-hole, or Instagram warping our ideas of what natural bodies look like. Many of these are the result of a lack of diversity in the people who create and build them. When these platforms are built with inclusively baked in, however, there’s real potential for algorithm development to help people with disabilities.

Take Mentra, for example. They serve as a network of employment for people who are neurodivers. Based on more than 75 data points, they match job seekers with potential employers using an algorithm. On the job-seeker side of things, it considers each candidate’s strengths, their necessary and preferred workplace accommodations, environmental sensitivities, and so on. On the employer side, it considers each work environment, communication factors related to each job, and the like. Mentra made the decision to change the script when it came to typical employment websites because it was run by neurodivergent people. They lower the emotional and physical labor on the job-seeker side of things by recommending available candidates to companies who can then connect with job seekers they are interested in.

When more people with disabilities are involved in developing algorithms, this can lower the likelihood that these algorithms will harm their communities. That’s why diverse teams are so important.

Imagine if the social media company’s recommendation engine was tuned to prioritize follow recommendations for people who discussed topics similar to those that were important but who were not in your current sphere of influence in any significant way. For instance, if you were to follow a group of non-disabled white male academics who talk about AI, it might be advisable to follow those who are disabled, aren’t white, or aren’t men who also talk about AI. If you took its recommendations, perhaps you’d get a more holistic and nuanced understanding of what’s happening in the AI field. These same systems should also use their understanding of biases about particular communities—including, for instance, the disability community—to make sure that they aren’t recommending any of their users follow accounts that perpetuate biases against (or, worse, spewing hate toward ) those groups.

Other ways that AI can helps people with disabilities

If I weren’t attempting to combine this with other tasks, I’m sure I could go on and on, giving various examples of how AI could be used to assist people with disabilities, but I’m going to make this last section into a bit of a lightning round. In no particular order:

Voice preservation. You may have seen the VALL-E paper or Apple’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day announcement or you may be familiar with the voice-preservation offerings from Microsoft, Acapela, or others. It’s possible to train an artificial intelligence model to mimic your voice, which can be incredibly helpful for those who have ALS ( Lou Gehrig’s disease ), motor neuron disease, or other medical conditions that can make it difficult to talk. This is, of course, the same tech that can also be used to create audio deepfakes, so it’s something that we need to approach responsibly, but the tech has truly transformative potential.
• Voice recognition. Researchers are assisting people with disabilities in the collection of recordings of people with atypical speech, thanks to the assistance of the Speech Accessibility Project. As I type, they are actively recruiting people with Parkinson’s and related conditions, and they have plans to expand this to other conditions as the project progresses. More people with disabilities will be able to use voice assistants, dictation software, and voice-response services as a result of this research, which will lead to more inclusive data sets that enable them to use their computers and other devices more effectively and with just their voices.
• Text transformation. The most recent generation of LLMs is quite capable of changing existing text without giving off hallucinations. This is incredibly empowering for those who have cognitive disabilities and who may benefit from text summaries, simplified versions, or even text that has been prepared for Bionic Reading.

the value of various teams and data

Our differences must be acknowledged as important. The intersections of the identities we exist in have an impact on our lived experiences. These lived experiences—with all their complexities ( and joys and pain ) —are valuable inputs to the software, services, and societies that we shape. Our differences must be reflected in the data we use to develop new models, and those who provide that valuable information must be compensated for doing so. Inclusive data sets produce stronger models that promote more justifiable outcomes.

Want a model that doesn’t demean or patronize or objectify people with disabilities? Make sure that you include information about disabilities that has been written by people with a variety of disabilities in the training data.

Want a model that doesn’t use ableist language? You might be able to use already-existing data sets to create a filter that can read and interpret ableist language before it is read. That being said, when it comes to sensitivity reading, AI models won’t be replacing human copy editors anytime soon.

Want a copilot for coding that provides recomprehensible recommendations after the jump? Train it on code that you know to be accessible.

I have no doubt that AI can and will harm people … today, tomorrow, and well into the future. But I also believe that we can acknowledge that and, with an eye towards accessibility ( and, more broadly, inclusion ), make thoughtful, considerate, and intentional changes in our approaches to AI that will reduce harm over time as well. Today, tomorrow, and well into the future.

Many thanks to Kartik Sawhney for helping me with the development of this piece, Ashley Bischoff for her invaluable editorial assistance, and, of course, Joe Dolson for the prompt.

The same holds true for those of us who are currently employed in design and development. Having worked on the web for about three years at this point, I’ve seen the typical wax and wane of concepts, strategies, and systems. Every day we as developers and designers re-enter the familiar pattern, a brand-new technology or thought emerges to shake things up and completely alter the world.

How we got below

I built my first website in the mid-’90s. Design and development on the web back then was a free-for-all, with few established norms. For any layout aside from a single column, we used table elements, often with empty cells containing a single pixel spacer GIF to add empty space. We styled text with numerous font tags, nesting the tags every time we wanted to vary the font style. And we had only three or four typefaces to choose from: Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman. When Verdana and Georgia came out in 1996, we rejoiced because our options had nearly doubled. The only safe colors to choose from were the 216 “web safe” colors known to work across platforms. The few interactive elements (like contact forms, guest books, and counters) were mostly powered by CGI scripts (predominantly written in Perl at the time). Achieving any kind of unique look involved a pile of hacks all the way down. Interaction was often limited to specific pages in a site.

The beginning of website standards

At the turn of the century, a new cycle started. Crufty code littered with table layouts and font tags waned, and a push for web standards waxed. Newer technologies like CSS got more widespread adoption by browsers makers, developers, and designers. This shift toward standards didn’t happen accidentally or overnight. It took active engagement between the W3C and browser vendors and heavy evangelism from folks like the Web Standards Project to build standards. A List Apart and books like Designing with Web Standards by Jeffrey Zeldman played key roles in teaching developers and designers why standards are important, how to implement them, and how to sell them to their organizations. And approaches like progressive enhancement introduced the idea that content should be available for all browsers—with additional enhancements available for more advanced browsers. Meanwhile, sites like the CSS Zen Garden showcased just how powerful and versatile CSS can be when combined with a solid semantic HTML structure.

Server-side language like PHP, Java, and.NET took Perl as the primary back-end computers, and the cgi-bin was tossed in the garbage bin. With these better server-side instruments came the first time of online applications, starting with content-management systems ( especially in the blog space with tools like Blogger, Grey Matter, Movable Type, and WordPress ). AJAX opened the door to sequential connection between the front end and back end in the mid-2000s. Immediately, websites may update their information without needing to refresh. Developers created a crop of credible client-side interactions across browsers with wildly varying standards aid, such as Prototype, YUI, and jQuery. Techniques like photo replacement enable the use of fonts by skilled developers and developers. And technology like Flash made it possible to include movies, sports, and even more engagement.

These new technology, standards, and approaches reinvigorated the market in many ways. As manufacturers and designers explored more diversified designs and layouts, website design flourished. However, we also relied heavily on tricks. When it came to basic layout and text styling, early CSS was a significant improvement over table-based layouts, but its limitations at the time meant that designers and developers still rely heavily on images for complex shapes ( such as rounded or angled corners ) and tiled backgrounds (among other hacks ) for the appearance of full-length columns. All kinds of nested floats or absolute positioning were required for complicated layouts ( or both ). The big five typefaces were initially influenced by beam and photo replacement, but both tricks caused accessibility and performance issues. Additionally, JavaScript libraries made it simple to add a dash of conversation to pages without having to spend the money to double or even quadruple the get size for basic websites.

The internet as technology platform

The interplay between the front end and the back end continued to grow, which led to the development of the present time of current web applications. Between expanded server-side programming languages ( which kept growing to include Ruby, Python, Go, and others ) and newer front-end tools like React, Vue, and Angular, we could build fully capable software on the web. Alongside these equipment came others, including creative type control, build technology, and shared bundle libraries. What was once mainly used for linked papers turned into a world with limitless possibilities.

At the same time, wireless equipment became more ready, and they gave us online access in our wallets. Reliable architecture and mobile apps opened up possibilities for fresh relationships anytime.

This fusion of potent portable devices and potent creation tools contributed to the growth of social media and other centralized resources for people to use and interact with. As it became easier and more popular to interact with others immediately on Twitter, Facebook, and yet Slack, the need for held private websites waned. Social media provided relationships on a global level, with both positive and negative outcomes.

Want a much more thorough story of how we came to be around as well as some other perspectives on how we can get better? ” Of Time and the Web” was written by Jeremy Keith. Or check out the” Web Design History Timeline” at the Web Design Museum. Additionally, Neal Agarwal takes a fascinating journey of” Internet Artifacts.”

Where we are now

In the last couple of years, it’s felt like we’ve begun to achieve another big tone level. As social-media systems bone and fade, there’s been a growing interest in owning our personal information again. There are many different ways to create websites, from the tried-and-true classic of hosting plain HTML files to static site generators to content management systems of all kinds. We lose essential infrastructure for discovery and connection because of social media’s fracture, which also comes with a price. Webmentions, RSS, ActivityPub, and other tools of the IndieWeb can help with this, but they’re still relatively underimplemented and hard to use for the less nerdy. Without discovery and connection, it can feel as though we could be shouting into the void when we can create incredible personal websites and continually update them.

Browser support for CSS, JavaScript, and other standards like web components has accelerated, especially through efforts like Interop. In a fraction of the time that they once did, new technologies receive universal support. I frequently find out about a new feature and check its browser support only to discover that its coverage is already over 80 %. Browser support is frequently the only obstacle to using newer techniques today, rather than the limitations of how quickly designers and developers can learn what’s available and how to adopt it.

Today, with a few commands and a couple of lines of code, we can prototype almost any idea. With all the tools we currently have, it is simpler than ever to launch a new venture. However, as we upgrade and maintain these frameworks, we eventually pay the upfront costs that these frameworks may initially save in terms of our technical debt.

Adopting new standards can sometimes take longer if we rely on third-party frameworks because we might have to wait for those frameworks to adopt them. These frameworks—which used to let us adopt new techniques sooner—have now become hindrances instead. Users must wait for scripts to load before they can read or interact with pages, as these same frameworks frequently come with performance costs as well. And when scripts fail ( whether through poor code, network issues, or other environmental factors ), there’s often no alternative, leaving users with blank or broken pages.

Where do we go from here?

Today’s hacks help to shape tomorrow’s standards. And there’s nothing inherently wrong with embracing hacks —for now—to move the present forward. Problems only arise when we refuse to acknowledge that they are hacks or when we choose not to replace them. What can we do to create the web’s future, then?

Build for the long haul. Optimize for performance, for accessibility, and for the user. Weigh the costs of those developer-friendly tools. How do they affect everything else besides making your job a little easier today? What’s the cost to users? To future developers? To standards adoption? The convenience may be worthwhile at times. Sometimes it’s just a hack that you’ve gotten used to. And occasionally, it prevents you from pursuing better options.

Start from standards. Standards change over time, but browsers have done a remarkably good job of staying current with outdated standards. The same isn’t always true of third-party frameworks. Even the most primitive HTML from the 1990s still function flawlessly today. The same can’t be said about websites created with frameworks even after a few years.

Design with care. Whether your craft is code, pixels, or processes, consider the impacts of each decision. Many modern tools have the convenience of making the necessary decisions that have led to its design and not always considering the effects those decisions can have. Use the time saved by modern tools to think more carefully and make decisions with care rather than rushing to “move fast and break things.”

Always be learning. If you’re always learning, you’re also growing. Sometimes it may be hard to pinpoint what’s worth learning and what’s just today’s hack. Even if you were to concentrate solely on learning standards, you might end up focusing on something that won’t matter next year. ( Remember XHTML? ) However, ongoing learning opens up new neural connections in your brain, and the techniques you learn in one day may be used to inform different experiments in the future.

Play, experiment, and be weird! This web that we’ve built is the ultimate experiment. Despite being the single largest human endeavor in history, each of us has the ability to make our own money out of it. Be courageous and try new things. Build a playground for ideas. In your own bizarre science lab, perform bizarre experiments. Start your own small business. There has never been a more empowering place to be creative, take risks, and explore what we’re capable of.

Share and amplify. As you experiment, play, and learn, share what’s worked for you. Write on your own website, post on whichever social media site you prefer, or shout it from a TikTok. Write something for A List Apart! But take the time to amplify others too: find new voices, learn from them, and share what they’ve taught you.

Go forth and make

As designers and developers for the web ( and beyond ), we’re responsible for building the future every day, whether that may take the shape of personal websites, social media tools used by billions, or anything in between. Let’s imbue our values into the things that we create, and let’s make the web a better place for everyone. Create something that you are only qualified to make for yourself. Then share it, make it better, make it again, or make something new. Learn. Make. Share. Grow. Rinse and repeat. Every time you think that you’ve mastered the web, everything will change.

The personalization space is real, between the dream of getting it right and the fear of it going wrong ( like when we encounter “persofails” in the spirit of a company that regularly asks regular people to buy more toilet seats ). It’s an particularly confusing place to be a modern professional without a map, a map, or a strategy.

Because successful personalization is so dependent on each group’s skill, technology, and market position, there are no Lonely Planet and some tour guides for those of you who want to personalize.

However, you can make sure your team has properly packed its carriers.

There’s a DIY method to increase your chances for achievement. You’ll at least at least disarm your boss ‘ irrational exuberance. You’ll need to properly prepare before the celebration.

We call it prepersonalization.

Behind the audio

Take into account the DJ have on Spotify, which was introduced last month.

We’re used to seeing the polished final outcome of a personalization have. A personal have had to be developed, budgeted, and given priority before the year-end prize, the making-of-backstory, or the behind-the-scenes success chest. A delay of thought-provoking tips to enhance customer experiences is present before any personalization function is implemented in your product or service.

So how do you understand where to position your personalization bet? How can you create regular interactions that didn’t irritate users or worse, breed trust? We’ve found that for many well-known budgeted programs to support their continued investments, they initially required one or more workshops to join vital technologies users and stakeholders. Create it count.

We’ve closely monitored the same evolution with our consumers, from major software to young companies. How effective these prepersonalization actions play out, in our experiences working on small and large customisation efforts, and how effective is the program’s greatest track record and its ability to weather challenging questions, work steadily toward shared answers, and manage its design and engineering efforts.

Time and again, we’ve seen successful workshops individual coming success stories from fruitless efforts, saving many time, resources, and social well-being in the process.

A multiyear project involving testing and feature development is a personalization practice. It’s not a switch-flip in your tech stack. It’s best managed as a backlog that often evolves through three steps:

1. customer experience optimization ( CXO, also known as A/B testing or experimentation )
2. always-on automations, whether they are machine-generated or rules-based.
3. mature features or standalone product development ( such as Spotify’s DJ experience )

We think there is a base grammar, a set of “nouns and verbs” that your organization can use to create experiences that are personalized, personalized, or automated, which is why we created our progressive personalization framework and why we’re field-testing an accompanying deck of cards. These cards won’t be necessary for you. But we strongly recommend that you create something similar, whether that might be digital or physical.

Set the timer for the kitchen.

How long does a prepersonalization workshop take to prepare? The surrounding assessment activities that we recommend including can ( and often do ) span weeks. We suggest aiming for two to three days for the core workshop. Details on the essential first-day activities are included in a summary of our broad approach.

The full arc of the wider workshop is threefold:

Kickstart: This specifies the terms of your engagement as you concentrate on both your team’s and your team’s readiness and drive.
1. The card-based workshop activities center on a plan of attack and the scope of work, which is outlined in the plan of action.
2. Work your plan: This phase is all about creating a competitive environment for team participants to individually pitch their own pilots that each contain a proof-of-concept project, its business case, and its operating model.

Give yourself at least two days, divided into two long time periods, to work through those initial two phases more effectively.

Kickstart: Apt your appetite

We call the first lesson the “landscape of connected experience“. It looks at the possibilities for personalization at your company. Any UX that necessitates the orchestration of multiple systems of record on the backend is a connected experience, in our opinion. This could be a content-management system combined with a marketing-automation platform. It might be a customer-data platform combined with a digital asset manager.

Give examples of connected experience interactions that you admire, find familiar, or even dislike, as examples of consumer and business-to-business examples. This should cover a representative range of personalization patterns, including automated app-based interactions ( such as onboarding sequences or wizards ), notifications, and recommenders. We have a list of these in the cards. To jog your mind, here are 142 different interactions.

This is all about setting the table. What are the potential paths for the practice in your organization? Here’s a long-form primer and a strategic framework for a broader view.

Assess each example that you discuss for its complexity and the level of effort that you estimate that it would take for your team to deliver that feature ( or something similar ). In our cards, we break down connected experiences into five categories: functions, features, experiences, complete products, and portfolios. Here, you can size your own build. This will help to focus the conversation on the merits of ongoing investment as well as the gap between what you deliver today and what you want to deliver in the future.

Next, have your team plot each concept on the following 2 2 grid, which lists the four enduring justifications for a unique experience. This is crucial because it emphasizes how personalization can affect your own methods of working as well as your external customers. It’s also a reminder ( which is why we used the word argument earlier ) of the broader effort beyond these tactical interventions.

Each team member should vote on where they see your product or service putting its emphasis. Naturally, you can’t give them all a prioritization. Here, the goal is to demonstrate how various departments may view their own advantages over the effort, which can be different from one department to the next. Documenting your desired outcomes lets you know how the team internally aligns across representatives from different departments or functional areas.

The third and final Kickstart activity is about filling in the personalization gap. How well documented is your customer journey? Will data and privacy compliance be too big of a challenge? Do you have to address any issues with content metadata? ( We’re pretty sure you do; it’s just a matter of recognizing the need’s magnitude and its solution. ) In our cards, we’ve noted a number of program risks, including common team dispositions. For instance, our Detractor card lists six protracted behavior that is harmful to the development of our country.

Your success depends on collaborating effectively and managing expectations. Consider the potential barriers to your future progress. Ask the participants to list specific actions you can take to help your organization overcome or reduce those obstacles. According to research, personalization initiatives face a number of common obstacles.

You should have, at this point, discussed sample interactions, emphasized a significant benefit, and identified significant gaps. Good—you’re ready to continue.

Hit the test kitchen

Next, let’s take a look at what you’ll need to create personalization recipes. Personalization engines, which are robust software suites for automating and expressing dynamic content, can intimidate new customers. Their capabilities are broad and potent, and they give you a variety of ways to organize your company. This raises the question: When creating a connected experience, where do you start?

What’s important here is to avoid treating the installed software like it were a dream kitchen from some fantasy remodeling project ( as one of our client executives memorably put it ). Your team can begin creating, testing, and improving the snacks and meals that will be included on your personalizedization program’s regularly evolving menu by using these software engines.

Over the course of the workshop, the ultimate menu of the prioritized backlog will come together. And by creating “dishes,” you can expect individual team members to create personalized interactions that either satisfy their or others ‘ needs.

The dishes will come from recipes, and those recipes have set ingredients.

Verify your ingredients

Like a good product manager, you’ll make sure you have everything ready to cook up your desired interaction ( or figure out what needs to be added to your pantry ) and that you validate with the right stakeholders present. These factors include the intended audience, the intended audience, the intended audience, the interaction’s context, and your overall ensemble.

This isn’t just about discovering requirements. The team can: Identify your personalizations as a series of if-then statements by documenting them as a series of if-then statements.

1. compare findings to a common method for developing features, similar to how artists paint with the same color palette,
2. specify a consistent set of interactions that users find uniform or familiar,
3. and establish parity between all important performance indicators and performance metrics.

This enables you to streamline your technical and design efforts while delivering a common color palette of the fundamental motifs of your personalized or automated experience.

Compose your recipe

What elements are significant to you? Consider the construct of a who-what-when-why

• Who are your key audience segments or groups?
• What content, what design elements, and under what circumstances will you give them?
• And for what business and user advantages?

We first developed these cards and card categories five years ago. We regularly test their suitability with clients and audience members at conferences. And there are still fresh possibilities. But they all follow an underlying who-what-when-why logic.

In the cards in the accompanying photo below, you can typically follow along with right to left in three examples of subscription-based reading apps.

1. A guest or an unidentified visitor interacts with a product title and receives a banner or alert bar that makes it simpler for them to read the related title, saving time.
2. Welcome automation: When there’s a newly registered user, an email is generated to call out the breadth of the content catalog and to make them a happier subscriber.
3. Winback automation: A user receives an email before their subscription expires or after a recent failed renewal to request that they reconsider or remind them to do so.

We’ve also found that cocreating the recipes themselves can sometimes be the most effective way to start brainstorming about what these cards might be for your organization. Start with a set of blank cards, and begin labeling and grouping them through the design process, eventually distilling them to a refined subset of highly useful candidate cards.

The workshop’s later stages, which shift from focusing on cookbooks to focusing on customers, might seem more nuanced. Individual” cooks” will pitch their recipes to the team using a standard jobs-to-be-done format, which will allow for measurement and outcomes, and from there, the resulting collection will be prioritized for finished design and production delivery.

Better kitchens require better architecture

For those who are actually delivering it, simplifying a customer experience is a challenging task. Beware of anyone who contradicts your advice. With that being said,” Complicated problems can be hard to solve, but they are addressable with rules and recipes“.

A team overfitting: they aren’t designing with their best data, is what causes personalization to become a laugh line. Every organization has metadata debt to go along with its technical debt, which causes a drag on the effectiveness of personalization, much like a sparse pantry. Your AI’s output quality, for example, is indeed limited by your IA. Prior to their acquisition of a seemingly modest metadata startup that now powers the underlying information architecture, Spotify’s poster-child prowess today was beyond comprehension.

You can’t stand the heat, in fact…

Personalization technology opens a doorway into a confounding ocean of possible designs. Only a deliberate and cooperative approach will produce the desired outcome. Banish the ideal kitchen in all its glory. Instead, hit the test kitchen to save time, preserve job satisfaction and security, and safely dispense with the fanciful ideas that originate upstairs of the doers in your organization. There are mouths to feed and meals to be served.

This organizational framework gives you a fighting chance at long-term success as well as solid ground. Wiring up your information layer isn’t an overnight affair. However, if you use the same cookbook and the same recipe combination, you’ll have solid ground for success. We created these activities to ensure that your organization’s needs are clear and concise before the risks start to accumulate.

While there are associated costs toward investing in this kind of technology and product design, your ability to size up and confront your unique situation and your digital capabilities is time well spent. Don’t waste it. The pudding is the proof, as they say.

I’ve been fascinated by movies since I was a child. I loved the heroes and the excitement—but most of all the stories. I aspired to be an artist. And I backed up the idea that I would get to do the points Indiana Jones did and have interesting adventures. I also dreamed up suggestions for videos that my friends and I could render and sun in. But they never advanced more. However, I did end up working in user experience ( UI). Today, I realize that there’s an element of drama to UX— I hadn’t actually considered it before, but consumer analysis is story. And to get the most out of customer studies, you must tell a compelling story that involves stakeholders, including the product team and decision-makers, and piques their interest in learning more.

Consider your preferred drama. More than likely it follows a three-act construction that’s frequently seen in story: the layout, the fight, and the quality. The second act provides an overview of the current events and allows you to understand the characters, their difficulties, and problems. The issue begins in Act 2, which introduces the issue. Here, issues grow or get worse. The solution comes in the third and final action. This is where the problems are resolved and the figures grow and change. I believe that this architecture is also a great way to think about customer study, and I think that it can be particularly helpful in explaining person exploration to others.

Use story as a framework for conducting analysis

It’s unfortunate to suggest that many people now view studies as being unprofitable. If finances or timelines are small, analysis tends to be one of the first points to go. Some goods managers rely on developers or, worse, their own judgment to make the “right” decisions for customers based on their experience or accepted best practices rather than investing in research. That may get groups a little bit out of the way, but that approach is therefore easily miss out on resolving people ‘ real issues. To be user-centered, this is something we really avoid. Design is enhanced by consumer study. It keeps it on track by pointing out issues and options. Being aware of the issues with your product and reacting to them can help you stay away of your competition.

Each action in the three-act construction corresponds to a specific stage of the process, and each stage is crucial to delivering the full narrative. Let’s examine the various functions and how they relate to consumer analysis.

Act one: layout

The rig consists entirely in comprehending the history, and that’s where fundamental research comes in. Basic research ( also known as conceptual, discovery, or preliminary research ) assists in understanding users and identifying their issues. You’re learning about what exists now, the obstacles people have, and how the problems affect them—just like in the videos. You can conduct contextual inquiries or diary studies ( or both! ) to conduct foundational research. ), which may assist you in identifying both challenges and options. It doesn’t need to get a great investment in time or money.

Erika Hall writes about the most effective anthropology, which can be as straightforward as spending 15 hours with a customer and asking them to” Walk me through your morning yesterday.” That is it. Provide that one ask. Opened up and spend fifteen minutes listening to them. Do everything in your power to protect both your objectives and yourself. Bam, you’re doing ethnography”. According to Hall, “[This ] will likely prove quite fascinating. In the unlikely event that you don’t learn anything valuable or fresh, you can move forward with greater self-assurance.

This makes total sense to me. And I adore how consumer research is made so simple. You don’t need to make a lot of paperwork; you can only attract people and do it! This can offer a wealth of knowledge about your customers, and it’ll help you better understand them and what’s going on in their life. That’s exactly what work one is all about: understanding where people are coming from.

Jared Spool discusses the significance of basic research and how it does make up the majority of your study. If you can pick from any further user data that you can get your hands on, such as surveys or analytics, that can complement what you’ve heard in the fundamental studies or even time to areas that need more research. All of this information helps to give a more in-depth picture of the state of issues and all of its flaws. And that’s the start of a gripping tale. It’s the place in the story where you realize that the principal characters—or the people in this case—are facing issues that they need to conquer. This is where you begin to develop compassion for the heroes and support their success, much like in the movies. And hoped that partners are now doing the same. Their love may be with their company, which could be losing wealth because people didn’t complete certain tasks. Or perhaps they feel the challenges of the customers. In either case, work one serves as your main strategy for piqueing interest and investment from the participants.

When stakeholders begin to understand the value of basic research, that is open doors to more opportunities that involve users in the decision-making approach. And that can help product teams become more user-centric. Everyone benefits from this, including the product, stakeholders, and users. It’s like winning an Oscar in movie terms—it often leads to your product being well received and successful. And this might serve as a motivator for stakeholders to carry this out with other goods. The secret to this process is storytelling, and knowing how to tell a compelling story is the only way to entice stakeholders to do more research.

This brings us to act two, where you iteratively evaluate a design or concept to see whether it addresses the issues.

Act two: conflict

Act two is all about approving the issues you raised in act one. This usually involves directional research, such as usability tests, where you assess a potential solution ( such as a design ) to see whether it addresses the issues that you found. The issues might be caused by unmet needs or issues with a flow or process that is causing users to fall asleep. More issues will come up in the process, much like in act two of a movie. It’s here that you learn more about the characters as they grow and develop through this act.

According to Jakob Nielsen, five users should be typically in usability tests, which means that this number of users can typically identify the majority of the issues:” As you add more and more users, you learn less and less because you will keep seeing the same things again and again… After the fifth user, you are wasting your time by observing the same findings repeatedly but not learning much new.”

The plot may become lost if you try to tell a story with too many characters, which is similar to storytelling in this case. Having fewer participants means that each user’s struggles will be more memorable and easier to relay to other stakeholders when talking about the research. This can help to convey the problems that need to be solved while also highlighting the worth of conducting research in the first place.

Usability tests have been conducted in person for decades, but you can also do them remotely using software like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or other teleconferencing software. This approach has become increasingly popular since the beginning of the pandemic, and it works well. You might consider in-person usability tests like attending a play and remote sessions as more of a movie watching experience. Each has advantages and disadvantages. In-person usability research is a much richer experience. The sessions are conducted with other stakeholders in mind. Additionally, you’ll also hear their reactions in real-time, including surprises, disagreements, and discussions of what they’re seeing. Much like going to a play, where audiences get to take in the stage, the costumes, the lighting, and the actors ‘ interactions, in-person research lets you see users up close, including their body language, how they interact with the moderator, and how the scene is set up.

If conducting usability testing in the field is like watching a play that is staged and controlled, where any two sessions may be very different from one another. You can conduct usability testing in the real world by creating a replica of the environment where users interact with the product and conducting your research there. Or you can go out to meet users at their location to do your research. With either option, you can see how things work in context, how things develop, and how conversion can take a completely different turn. You have less control over how these sessions run as researchers, but this can occasionally improve your understanding of users. Meeting users where they are can provide clues to the external forces that could be affecting how they use your product. In-person usability tests add a level of detail that is frequently absent from remote usability tests.

That doesn’t mean that the “movies” —remote sessions—aren’t a good option. Remote sessions can reach a wider audience. They make it possible for much more people to participate in the research and learn what’s happening. And they make access to a much wider range of users in their own country. But with any remote session there is the potential of time wasted if participants can’t log in or get their microphone working.

You can ask real users questions to understand their thoughts and understanding of the solution as a result of usability testing, whether it is conducted remotely or in person. This can assist you in both identifying issues and understanding why they were initially issues. Furthermore, you can test hypotheses and gauge whether your thinking is correct. By the end of the sessions, you’ll be able to see for yourself whether the designs are useful and effective. The excitement centers on Act 2, but there are also potential surprises in that Act. This is equally true of usability tests. Sometimes, participants will say unexpected things that alter the way you look at them, which can lead to unexpected turns in the story.

Unfortunately, user research can occasionally be viewed as wasteful. And too often usability testing is the only research process that some stakeholders think that they ever need. There isn’t much to be gained by conducting usability testing in the first place if the designs you’re evaluating in the usability test aren’t grounded in thorough understanding of your users ( foundational research ). Because you’re narrowing the scope of what you’re receiving feedback on without understanding the needs of the users. As a result, there’s no way of knowing whether the designs might solve a problem that users have. In the context of a usability test, it’s only feedback on a particular design.

On the other hand, if you only do foundational research, you won’t know whether the thing you’re building will actually solve that problem, despite the fact that you might have set out to solve the right problem. This illustrates the importance of doing both foundational and directional research.

In act two, stakeholders will hopefully be able to observe the story develop during the user sessions, which reveal the conflict and tension in the current design’s highs and lows. And in turn, this can encourage stakeholders to take action on the issues raised.

Act three: resolution

The third act is about resolving the issues raised by the first two acts, whereas the first two are about comprehending the context and the tensions that can compel action. While the first two acts require an audience, the final act requires that they remain engaged throughout. That means the whole product team, including developers, UX practitioners, business analysts, delivery managers, product managers, and any other stakeholders that have a say in the next steps. It allows the entire team to discuss what is possible within the project’s constraints while also hearing feedback from users. Additionally, it enables the UX design and research teams to clarify, suggest alternatives, or provide more context for their decisions. So you can get everyone on the same page and get agreement on the way forward.

This act is primarily told in voiceover with some audience participation. The researcher serves as the narrator, who depicts the issues and what the product’s potential future might look like given what the team has learned. They give the stakeholders their recommendations and their guidance on creating this vision.

In the Harvard Business Review, Nancy Duarte describes a method for structuring presentations that follow a persuasive narrative. The most effective presenters” set up a conflict that needs to be resolved” using the same methods as great storytellers, Duarte writes. ” That tension helps them persuade the audience to adopt a new mindset or behave differently”.

This kind of structure is in line with research findings, particularly those from usability tests. It provides evidence for “what is “—the problems that you’ve identified. And “what might be “—your suggestions for how to respond to them. And so forth.

You can reinforce your recommendations with examples of things that competitors are doing that could address these issues or with examples where competitors are gaining an edge. Or they can be visual, like quick sketches of how a new design could function to solve a problem. These can help create momentum and conversation. And this continues until the end of the session when you’ve wrapped everything up in the conclusion by summarizing the main issues and suggesting a way forward. This is the section where you make the most of the main themes or issues and what they mean for the finished product, or the story’s denial. This stage provides stakeholders with the next steps and, hoped, the motivation to take those steps!

While we are nearly at the end of this story, let’s reflect on the idea that user research is storytelling. The three-act structure of user research contains all the components of a good story:

Act one: You encounter both the users ‘ protagonists and the antagonists ( the user-related issues ). This is the beginning of the plot. Researchers might employ techniques like contextual inquiry, ethnography, diary studies, surveys, and analytics in act one. These techniques can produce personas, empathy maps, user journeys, and analytics dashboards as output.

Act two: Next, there’s character development. The protagonists face problems and difficulties, which they must overcome, and there is conflict and tension. Researchers might employ heuristics evaluation, competitive benchmarking, and usability testing in act two. The output of these can include usability findings reports, UX strategy documents, usability guidelines, and best practices.

Act three: The main characters win, and the audience is shown a better future. Researchers may use techniques like storytelling, presentation decks, and digital media in act three. The output of these can be: presentation decks, video clips, audio clips, and pictures.

The researcher performs a number of tasks: they are the producer, the director, and the storyteller. The participants play a small part, but they are significant characters ( in the study ). And the stakeholders are the audience. However, the most crucial thing is to create the right narrative and use storytelling to research user stories. By the end, the parties should leave with a goal and an eagerness to address the product’s flaws.

So the next time that you’re planning research with clients or you’re speaking to stakeholders about research that you’ve done, think about how you can weave in some storytelling. In the end, user research is beneficial for everyone, and all you need to do is pique stakeholders ‘ interest in how the story ends.

It’s Oscar season again in Hollywood, although it can hardly be said that this year has seen a smooth, celebratory homestretch leading to the big event. Between the results of the 2024 election and the horrific fires that swept through Los Angeles almost as soon as 2025 began, it almost seems as if Tinseltown’s biggest, […]

The post Emilia Pérez and the Oscars’ Other Scandalous Campaign Takedowns and Self-Sabotages appeared first on Den of Geek.

The biggest upcoming games of 2025 makes 2024 look like an even slower year for new releases. It seems to be a trend: as the average development time for games continues to grow, more and more major titles are dropping in batches during select years. Like 2023 before it, 2025 is going to be one of those years. 

While the upcoming year will rightfully be defined by the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, the fact of the matter is that Rockstar’s next game could slip into 2026 and you’d still be left with an absolutely stacked year for new releases. That said, we apologize for putting that thought out into the world. 

Here are the biggest games you need to keep an eye on in 2025!

JANUARY

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: January 16

There might not be much in terms of new whole new first-party experiences on the original Switch early this year, but there are at least a few remasters of Nintendo titles to look forward to while fans wait for the release of the Switch 2. The great Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was ported over from the Wii U to the Switch in 2018 and now Wii hit Donkey Kong Country Returns is getting the HD remaster treatment.

Bringing all the classic elements you expect from the Donkey Kong Country games, this platformer follows Donkey Kong (and Diddy Kong if you want to play this one with a friend) on a quest through nine worlds to retrieve their precious bananas from a group of evil Tikis. Along the way, expect mine cart levels, plenty of collectibles, and lots of surprises.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: January 17

If you’ve been waiting to try the Dynasty Warriors series of hack-and-slash action games, Origins is your time. Essentially a reboot of the story, this latest installment is not only a vastly more cinematic retelling of the novel on which the games are based but also a complete visual overhaul as well as retooling of the combat mechanics fans know and love. It’s also an incredibly entertaining action game that throws hundreds of enemies at you at a time in huge battles that players are encouraged to turn into their playground. This is a sleeper hit of 2025.

Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: January 23

Originally released for the PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles has been re-released for its 25th anniversary. This remastered version of the classic Star Wars game brings back couch co-op mode, training rooms, bonus levels, and the arcade cheats and power-ups that made the original version so fun. In addition, the game has 13 new playable characters, including Jar Jar Binks, and a lightsaber toggle that allows players to choose between the original lightsaber colors used in the game or more screen-accurate versions. No matter your age, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is sure to be a fun walk (or Force-powered jump) down memory lane.

FEBRUARY

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 4

2018’s Kingdom Come: Deliverance boasts one of the strangest success stories in modern gaming. Following a Kickstarter campaign that seemed to be built on unrealistic promises, Deliverance launched with quite a few bugs and several controversies. And yet, a few patches and a little distance revealed Deliverance to be one of the best attempts to recapture those old Elder Scrolls feelings and a pretty incredible medieval RPG in its own right. 

With Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developer Warhorse Studios makes the most of the lessons they learned from the first game. Set shortly after the original, Deliverance 2 delivers a far smoother presentation than its predecessor, yet has lost none of that outside-the-box ambition that made the original feel so special to play.

Civilization 7

Platforms: Windows PC

Release Date: February 11

The announcement of a new Civilization game inspires equally powerful feelings of joy and dread. Yay, I get to lose myself in one of the finest strategy series ever created. Oh no, I’ll lose hours of my life to the game that famously makes players say “one more turn” until the cruel light of the rising sun invades the perimeters of their vision. 

Still, a new Civilization game is mostly good news. Firaxis Games’ guiding hand and the promised ability to mix and match large chunks of history certainly is+ a winning combo for this franchise that has rarely steered us wrong. 

Avowed

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 13

The phrase “new Obsidian RPG” is more than enough to get a title on any respectable list of anticipated upcoming games. Obsidian Entertainment is one of the greatest RPG studios of all time, and their recent efforts demonstrate their willingness to keep pushing the envelope. 

In some ways, Avowed feels like the culmination of Obsidian’s efforts to create the ideal modern RPG experience. It’s an action-packed real-time experience filled with the kind of character-building, role-playing decisions, and clever writing that Obsidian is known for. While our preview of Avowed raised some unanswered questions about the game’s depth, the allure of its classic fantasy world is pretty powerful. 

Monster Hunter Wilds 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 28

The latest chapter in the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Wilds is set in the Forbidden Lands, an uncharted region long thought to be uninhabited. That is, until a boy named Nata is discovered near the border of these lands, on the run from a mysterious creature known as the White Wraith that attacked his people. As the player, you control The Hunter, one of the professional monster hunters tasked with searching for the White Wraith, charting the Forbidden Lands, and searching for Nata’s people. Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t only have an intriguing story, however. The game also features new fighting moves and a wide variety of weapons and equipment that give you even more ways to use monsters and their environment to your advantage. Even if you’re not familiar with the series, Monster Hunter Wilds looks to be a fun game for any fan of action RPG games.

MARCH

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: March 6

Konami’s RPG series Suikoden is joining a long list of classic RPGs getting a fresh update for modern consoles. The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster will feature improvements to graphics and the art style, gameplay mechanics, and sound. Players will also now have the option to automate battles with a single button and play through combat at double-speed. Despite all of these updates, however, the developers are still striving to keep the original story and the “charm of the colorful cast of characters” that fans know and love intact.

Fragpunk

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 6

Fragpunk is an upcoming 5v5 FPS that lets you bend the rules of gameplay with unique Shard Cards that each have their own abilities and effects on the game. You can instantly create grass to hide from your enemies, you can give everyone a big head to give yourself a comically large target, you can flip the map around to create your own route through the battlefield, and so much more. Not only does combat look incredibly fun, but Fragpunk also has a vibrant art style that makes gameplay even more electric and energetic to watch and play in.

Split Fiction

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 6

Split Fiction is the latest game from Hazelight Studios, the studio behind the exceptional co-op adventures A Way Out and It Takes Two. Like those games, Split Fiction will emphasize the value of unique teamwork throughout its entirely co-op campaign. 

Unlike those games, Split Fiction will explore a far wider variety of genres and gameplay concepts. Based on the idea that two writers have become stuck in their own creations, Split Fiction certainly looks like the most ambitious co-op game from a studio that is in a league of its own in that area. 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 20

While its delay left many fans wondering about the state of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we remain optimistic about this latest chapter in the series. In fact, we quite liked our time with a preview build of the game. Read our hands-on impressions here.

As the Assassin’s Creed franchise’s long-awaited trip to feudal Japan, Shadows looks to make good on what many feel is the series’ most promising historical setting. Expectations are certainly high, but Shadows’ fascinating two-protagonist system and enhanced combat, stealth, and traversal mechanics suggest it could offer an ideal blend of classic gameplay with more modern flourishes. 

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: March 20

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since the release of this Nintendo action RPG hit in which you get to explore a dangerous open world on giant mechs known as Skells. As a protector of the last remaining humans who managed to escape before Earth was destroyed, you and your companions are tasked with taming a new alien planet called Mira. Nintendo has confirmed this isn’t just a simple re-release of the 2015 game, though. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will also bring “newly added story elements,” which makes this one worth picking up again!

Tales of the Shire 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

Release Date: March 25

New cozy game alert! Tales of the Shire is like if Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing took a trip to the Shire of Lord of the Rings. The game lets players live out their dreams of spending time in the idyllic landscape of the Shire as they create their own character, decorate their own Hobbit hole, make friends in the community, and help the town flourish. We played Tales of the Shire at SGF and were impressed with the amount of care put into creating this version of the Shire. Even though the game isn’t technically canon, there are still plenty of references and easter eggs for Lord of the Rings fans to find. 

Atomfall

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Release Date: March 27

Another survival game? In this economy? Yes, though keep in mind that Atomfall has several tricks up its sleeve that instantly make it more appealing than the countless “craft some cheese” genre titles out there. 

Developed by Rebellion, the team behind the exceptional Sniper Elite series, Atomfall places far more emphasis on worldbuilding and storytelling than the average survival title. Set in a fictional version of Northern England following a nuclear disaster, it tasks you with discovering the truth behind this twisted world as you fight to stay alive. Rebellion has suggested that Atomfall is closer to something like BioShock than Rust, which should be enough to excite even the most survival-wary out there. 

APRIL

South of Midnight

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: April 8

Developer Compulsion Games has made quite a name for themselves in recent years. Their previous titles—Compulsion and We Happy Few—were undeniably unique, yet each suggested that the studio’s best work was ahead of them. Well, South of Midnight may very well prove to be the developers’ masterpiece. 

Set in a dark fantasy version of the Deep South, South of Midnight blends several regions of folklore with original creations and sets the whole thing to a rocking Southern soundtrack. It looks and sounds great, but it’s the game’s almost Beyond Good and Evil-esque gameplay that leads us to believe it could be something truly special. 

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4

Release Date: April 21

The popular ’90s fighting game franchise Fatal Fury is back after 26 years with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. With 22 playable characters, including 17 familiar faces from previous games, and 3 different modes of gameplay, there are plenty of options for longtime fans and franchise newcomers alike to have a great time. There’s a single-player RPG mode, Episodes of South Town, as well as online modes that allow you to match with other players or clones generated by automatic AI technology that learns your play style.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: April 24

Developed by the relatively small Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an upcoming turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics that is already looking to be one of the most exciting new games this year. Expedition 33‘s voice cast includes Charlie Cox and Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Jennifer English as two of the six playable characters you can use to build your team, crafting unique builds to fit your playstyle. Set in a world inspired by Bell Époque France, the game is full of hauntingly beautiful visuals that aren’t afraid to hide a little whimsy below the surface. Expedition 33 has an expansive world to explore, and we can’t wait to spend hours looking through every nook and cranny with these characters.

MAY

Doom: The Dark Ages

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: May 15

With 2016’s Doom and 2020’s Doom Eternal, developer id Software did so much more than bring the grandfather of FPS franchises into the modern age. Those games effectively set a new standard for single-player FPS titles that very few other games have been able to match. 

At worst, Doom: The Dark Ages figures to be a victory lap for a studio making the most audaciously entertaining FPS games on the market. It looks to be so much more than that, though. Dark Ages‘ almost Painkiller-esque weapons, style, and gameplay pacing suggest id has somehow found yet another gear and isn’t taking their foot off the gas as they boldly navigate new territory once again.

OCTOBER

Double Dragon Revive 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Windows PC

Release Date: October 23

Another popular fighting game franchise set to return this year is Double Dragon. This isn’t the first modern-era sequel for this arcade-style beat ’em up franchise, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t excited to see what this game has in store in 2025. With four playable characters, including brothers Jimmy and Billy Lee, modern 3D graphics, and an exhilarating belt-scroll action experience, Double Dragon Revive seems like a fun merge of past and present gaming.

TBA 2025

The Alters

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The Alters tells the story of Jan, a simple miner who crash lands on a hostile planet alone. Tasked with running a mobile base by himself, Jan soon realizes that he can’t do this alone if he’s going to survive. With the help of his ship’s quantum computer and a rare substance found on this planet, Jan is able to create clones of himself based on different life paths he may or may not have chosen in his past. While these clones are versions of him, they are also very different people with their own motivations, goals, and fears—which means that they don’t always get along. It’s a very intriguing premise that makes for a unique sci-fi survival game that we really can’t wait to play.

Borderlands 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The recently revealed—but long-rumored—fourth major Borderlands entry will try to get the series back on track after Borderlands 3 proved to be a somewhat surprising “meh” entry into the largely celebrated franchise. 

However, the surprising success of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and the Borderlands 4 team’s early promise to go bigger and better in every way with this game certainly suggests that they are aware of this franchise’s need to grow (and perhaps change a little bit). 

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4

With a mix of classic 2D and 3D style games, fans of classic Capcom arcade-style games have a lot to look forward to with Capcom Fighting Collection 2. Including titles such as Capcom vs. SNK, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Power Stone, Power Stone 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, and more, this game is perfect for anyone looking to recreate the retro-gaming experience. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 also includes an online play mode that allows you to play casual, ranked, and custom matches with other players across the globe. This game is also very beginner-friendly with training modes as well as adjustable difficulty settings and a customizable button layout that allows for one-button special moves in combat. So even if you aren’t an arcade legend, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Supermassive Games’ Dark Pictures Anthology is back with another immersive horror experience this year. Directive 8020 is the studios’ first foray into full on sci-fi horror, both for the Dark Pictures series and for the studio at large. House of Ashes toed the line between the genres with ancient vampiric aliens as the main source of scares, but the game was very much still grounded on Earth. Directive 8020 follows the crew of the Cassiopeia as they find themselves hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey – very much like The Thing, but actually in space. With Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) as the games’ star, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is going to be an epic and terrifying adventure to play through.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Platforms: PlayStation 5

Love it or hate it (opinions only seem to go one way or the other), Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding remains one of the most fascinating games of the last five years. The first significant project of Kojima’s post-Konami era featured all the eerily accurate social commentary, divisive gameplay, and bombastic storytelling we’ve come to expected from one of gaming’s few true auteurs, and the second installment promises to dive even deeper into the weirdness of this post-apocalyptic world.

Though we know relatively little about Death Stranding 2, the game’s star-studded cast, Kojima’s creative presence, and the original title’s fascinating concepts are enough reasons to consider this one of 2025’s most highly-anticipated new releases. It’s doubtful this sequel will make many efforts to appease those turned off by the original’s methodical gameplay, but Death Stranding 2’s confirmed meditations on the impact of post-COVID society should certainly cause a stir. 

Dune: Awakening 

Platforms: Windows PC

Set on Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the universe, Dune: Awakening is an open world survival MMO where you begin as a prisoner on the planet and must do what you can to survive the harsh, unforgiving landscape. Whether you band together with other players or go at it alone, your path is yours to choose, with a variety of skill specialties to choose from including Swordmaster, Bene Gesserit, Trooper, Mentat, and Planetologist. Dune: Awakening looks to be an exciting expansion of this universe, for both fans and newcomers alike. What we saw of the game last year’s Summer Game Fest certainly left us wanting more.

Dying Light: The Beast 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

After over a decade in captivity, Dying Light hero Kyle Crane escapes into a changed world, though not necessarily for the better. Using not only the survival skills honed in the previous games, but also some new abilities that come from being experimented on, in Dying Light: The Beast, you’ll once again play as Crane as he tries to help the survivors of Castor Woods and keep the ever increasing population of zombies at bay. This survival horror game also has a 4-player co-op feature if you want a little help to make it through the violent, zombie-filled nights.

Elden Ring Nightreign

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Few expected FromSoftware to return to Elden Ring so quickly, and nobody expected them to deliver something like Nightreign. This spin-off of the Elden Ring series is essentially a co-op roguelike dungeon crawler with several Elden Ring-flavored twists. Picture Dark Alliance with more Elden Ring-like gameplay and…well, that still doesn’t quite paint the picture. 

Yet, between Nightreign’s pre-set characters, generally lowered difficulty level, and much faster gameplay, it’s hard not to be intrigued by what FromSoftware is cooking. Are they testing the waters for a big new concept, or is this simply a standalone passion project? 

Fable

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The Fable franchise is one of gaming’s oddest beasts. It has historically fallen short of expectations, in large part due to the outrageous promises that have come to define the series’ creator, Peter Molyneux. Yet, those original games also offered a rather unique genre experience that many crave due to a lack of proper alternatives. 

With their reboot of the franchise (sans Molyneux), developer Playground Games looks to recapture the series’ unique charms while inching Fable closer to its full potential. It’s a tall task, but the Fable footage released so far demonstrates Playground’s understanding of the humor and whimsy that have long made Fable one of the most enjoyable fantasy franchises to lose yourself in.

Ghost of Yotei

Platforms: PlayStation 5

With 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, developer Sucker Punch Productions delivered the rare modern open-world title that felt both comfortably familiar and creatively inventive. Ghost of Tsushima didn’t break the genre mold so much as it used its historical setting as the basis of one of the most stunning and engaging open-world experiences this side of a Rockstar Games production. It is also arguably the best samurai title ever made. 

As the standalone sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei obviously won’t be able to ride the wave of surprising delights that helped elevate Tsushima among those who went into it with modest expectations. Yet, the Yotei team’s promise to emphasize an “underdog of vengeance” story and “the romance and beauty of feudal Japan” should be more than enough to get you excited about the opportunity to dive back into this world where every pixel is a painting. 

Grand Theft Auto 6

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Grand Theft Auto 6 may be the most anticipated release in video game history. It’s not just the 10+ years since the release of GTA 5, the absurdly high standards of this series, and the ways GTA has reached even the most casual modern gamers. There’s a strong argument to be made that the success or failure of GTA 6 could alter the fate of an industry that is increasingly dependent on its biggest blockbusters. Well, there is no blockbuster bigger than GTA 6. 

Mind you, we still know relatively little about the game itself. With only one official trailer—and quite a few leaks—to go on, we can tell you that the next Grand Theft Auto will take us to a fictional version of Florida and focus on two lovers on the run from the law. Everything else will be a surprise, it seems. That’s actually kind of nice. Of course, it’d be a lot nicer if we could just finally play the damn game. 

Judas

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

From the creator of BioShock, Judas is a single player narrative FPS set on a disintegrating starship. Playing as the “mysterious and troubled” Judas, you must navigate alliances, fight against foes, and do whatever it takes to escape. Whether you’re a fan of BioShock or just looking for a new and intriguing sci-fi game, Judas is definitely one to keep your eye on this year.

Killing Floor 3 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The co-op action horror FPS franchise that’s fun for your entire squad of friends is back this year with Killing Floor 3. Made with Unreal Engine 5, this next-gen sequel looks to be full of the blood, gore, and heart-pounding action that fans have come to love. Playing as a member of the rebel group Nightfall, you and up to five teammates must fight against waves of zeds (bioengineered zombies) in order to save humanity.

Mafia: The Old Country

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Developer Hangar 13 gets to continue what they started in the underrated Mafia III with the upcoming Mafia: The Old Country. As the name suggests, this game will take the franchise back to its relative roots (early 1900s Sicily) and serve as a kind of origin story for the series. 

The setting is unique relative to other crime games, and Hangar 13 has already shown that they can maintain and elevate this series’ standard for excellent storytelling, characters, and environments. It’s not ideal that this game is coming out the same year as GTA 6, but Old Country’s likely release date head start and distinct style should help it distinguish itself as a worthwhile alternative. 

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The relative lack of Marvel games during the MCU era of entertainment was always a shock. Conventional corporate wisdom tells us that we should be swimming in games that adapt and go beyond MCU movies and shows. Yet, we’ve been left with slim pickings so far. Thankfully, Marvel 1943 looks to help fill that considerable void. 

Set in Paris during World War II, this action/adventure game will follow Captain America, Black Panther, and their military allies as they battle Hydra and the Axis forces. On paper, that’s the exact kind of “familiar, yet distinct” approach to Marvel gaming that helped make Insomniac’s Spider-Man titles such a success. 

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

That siren you’ve been hearing is the warning sound that accompanied the announcement of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and has been trailing the game throughout its development. Simply put, the prospect of Konami approving a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater following their infamous split with creator Hideo Kojima felt perilous at best and insulting at worst. 

But the success of 2024’s Silent Hill 2 remake has a lot of people feeling much more excited about this next remake. Granted, they are different games being developed by different studios, but suddenly the prospect of a remake of a beloved Konami game delivering a worthwhile experience without the help of their original creators doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Given that it was revealed around the time that the Nintendo Switch was released, we once thought that Metroid Prime 4 was going to be one of the titles that Nintendo used to sell people on their strange new hardware. Now, Metroid Prime 4 is poised to be the swan song for one of the most successful gaming devices ever made. Hey, no pressure. 

Yes, it’s surprising that we’ve still seen so little of Metroid Prime 4. After all this time, though, the promise of more Metroid Prime is still enough to leave us impossibly excited about this project. At a time when the Metroidvania genre dominates the indie scene and is the DNA of many modern games, Metroid Prime 4 seems primed to finally earn this series the undeniable sales success it always deserved. 

Ninja Gaiden 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

After over a decade since the last mainline game, the Ninja Gaiden series is back this year with Ninja Gaiden 4 currently in active development with Team Ninja. Set in a dark, gritty dystopian Tokyo, Ninja Gaiden 4 follows new protagonist Yakumo, a young ninja prodigy connected to the formidable Master Ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, who is also a playable character in the game. As Yakumo navigates this world and tries to put a stop to the Dark Dragon’s rise, he must also face off against his foes, and Hayabusa to become the ninja the world needs him to be. During the Xbox developer direct showcase, Team Ninja was adamant that this game isn’t just for longtime fans of the series and that they hope it can be an entry point for newcomers as well.

The Outer Worlds 2

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

As the spiritual sequel to Fallout: New Vegas, 2019’s The Outer Worlds was essentially a dream Obsidian Entertainment RPG. Along with fulfilling quite a few Fallout fantasies, The Outer Worlds proved to be a compelling, enjoyable, genuinely funny, and surprisingly deep sci-fi role-playing experience in its own right.

With The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian has made it clear that they intend to pick up where they left off and simply go bigger with everything. On paper, it’s not the most ambitious goal for a sequel. However, given that you can attribute many of The Outer Worlds’ biggest flaws to its first-draft nature, the team doesn’t have to go too far out of its way to make this one of 2025’s most essential role-playing experiences.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

The Pokémon series has been on a surprisingly rough run in recent years. While they’re as successful as ever, the recent mainline Pokémon games have rightly been criticized for their relative lack of ambition and various technical issues. One of the franchise’s highlights during that era—2022’s Pokémon Legends: Arceus—garnered acclaim for taking the series in a relatively fresh open-world direction. 

Based on what we know, Pokémon Legends: Z-A looks to retain most of Arceus’ core concepts while exploring an era when Pokémon and humans were first learning to co-exist in shared environments. It’s a fantastic setup that also seemingly features the return of the largely beloved Mega Evolutions concept. 

Revenge of the Savage Planet 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

In this upbeat, satirical sci-fi adventure game, you play as a space explorer fired and abandoned by your corporate employer – because even in space, the cruel hand of capitalism knows no bounds. With few resources and no safety net, you must explore every inch of the planets you visit to collect resources that will help you level up, return to Earth, and get revenge on your greedy corporate overlords. With single player, online co-op, crossplay, and split screen modes at your disposal, you can go at it alone, or team up with a friend to scan as many planets, capture as many creatures, and explore as many terrains as you can. Revenge of the Savage Planet looks like it’ll be a zany, fun time, and we can’t wait to check it out.

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The Marvel Age of Heroes is about to begin! Yes, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has existed since 2008, and yes, the Fantastic Four have made three big screen appearances already. But Fantastic Four: First Steps feels like something special, a proper movie version of the team that launched Marvel Comics when Jack Kirby and Stan […]

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The biggest upcoming games of 2025 makes 2024 look like an even slower year for new releases. It seems to be a trend: as the average development time for games continues to grow, more and more major titles are dropping in batches during select years. Like 2023 before it, 2025 is going to be one of those years. 

While the upcoming year will rightfully be defined by the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, the fact of the matter is that Rockstar’s next game could slip into 2026 and you’d still be left with an absolutely stacked year for new releases. That said, we apologize for putting that thought out into the world. 

Here are the biggest games you need to keep an eye on in 2025!

JANUARY

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: January 16

There might not be much in terms of new whole new first-party experiences on the original Switch early this year, but there are at least a few remasters of Nintendo titles to look forward to while fans wait for the release of the Switch 2. The great Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was ported over from the Wii U to the Switch in 2018 and now Wii hit Donkey Kong Country Returns is getting the HD remaster treatment.

Bringing all the classic elements you expect from the Donkey Kong Country games, this platformer follows Donkey Kong (and Diddy Kong if you want to play this one with a friend) on a quest through nine worlds to retrieve their precious bananas from a group of evil Tikis. Along the way, expect mine cart levels, plenty of collectibles, and lots of surprises.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: January 17

If you’ve been waiting to try the Dynasty Warriors series of hack-and-slash action games, Origins is your time. Essentially a reboot of the story, this latest installment is not only a vastly more cinematic retelling of the novel on which the games are based but also a complete visual overhaul as well as retooling of the combat mechanics fans know and love. It’s also an incredibly entertaining action game that throws hundreds of enemies at you at a time in huge battles that players are encouraged to turn into their playground. This is a sleeper hit of 2025.

Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: January 23

Originally released for the PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles has been re-released for its 25th anniversary. This remastered version of the classic Star Wars game brings back couch co-op mode, training rooms, bonus levels, and the arcade cheats and power-ups that made the original version so fun. In addition, the game has 13 new playable characters, including Jar Jar Binks, and a lightsaber toggle that allows players to choose between the original lightsaber colors used in the game or more screen-accurate versions. No matter your age, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is sure to be a fun walk (or Force-powered jump) down memory lane.

FEBRUARY

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 4

2018’s Kingdom Come: Deliverance boasts one of the strangest success stories in modern gaming. Following a Kickstarter campaign that seemed to be built on unrealistic promises, Deliverance launched with quite a few bugs and several controversies. And yet, a few patches and a little distance revealed Deliverance to be one of the best attempts to recapture those old Elder Scrolls feelings and a pretty incredible medieval RPG in its own right. 

With Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developer Warhorse Studios makes the most of the lessons they learned from the first game. Set shortly after the original, Deliverance 2 delivers a far smoother presentation than its predecessor, yet has lost none of that outside-the-box ambition that made the original feel so special to play.

Civilization 7

Platforms: Windows PC

Release Date: February 11

The announcement of a new Civilization game inspires equally powerful feelings of joy and dread. Yay, I get to lose myself in one of the finest strategy series ever created. Oh no, I’ll lose hours of my life to the game that famously makes players say “one more turn” until the cruel light of the rising sun invades the perimeters of their vision. 

Still, a new Civilization game is mostly good news. Firaxis Games’ guiding hand and the promised ability to mix and match large chunks of history certainly is+ a winning combo for this franchise that has rarely steered us wrong. 

Avowed

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 13

The phrase “new Obsidian RPG” is more than enough to get a title on any respectable list of anticipated upcoming games. Obsidian Entertainment is one of the greatest RPG studios of all time, and their recent efforts demonstrate their willingness to keep pushing the envelope. 

In some ways, Avowed feels like the culmination of Obsidian’s efforts to create the ideal modern RPG experience. It’s an action-packed real-time experience filled with the kind of character-building, role-playing decisions, and clever writing that Obsidian is known for. While our preview of Avowed raised some unanswered questions about the game’s depth, the allure of its classic fantasy world is pretty powerful. 

Monster Hunter Wilds 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 28

The latest chapter in the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Wilds is set in the Forbidden Lands, an uncharted region long thought to be uninhabited. That is, until a boy named Nata is discovered near the border of these lands, on the run from a mysterious creature known as the White Wraith that attacked his people. As the player, you control The Hunter, one of the professional monster hunters tasked with searching for the White Wraith, charting the Forbidden Lands, and searching for Nata’s people. Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t only have an intriguing story, however. The game also features new fighting moves and a wide variety of weapons and equipment that give you even more ways to use monsters and their environment to your advantage. Even if you’re not familiar with the series, Monster Hunter Wilds looks to be a fun game for any fan of action RPG games.

MARCH

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: March 6

Konami’s RPG series Suikoden is joining a long list of classic RPGs getting a fresh update for modern consoles. The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster will feature improvements to graphics and the art style, gameplay mechanics, and sound. Players will also now have the option to automate battles with a single button and play through combat at double-speed. Despite all of these updates, however, the developers are still striving to keep the original story and the “charm of the colorful cast of characters” that fans know and love intact.

Fragpunk

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 6

Fragpunk is an upcoming 5v5 FPS that lets you bend the rules of gameplay with unique Shard Cards that each have their own abilities and effects on the game. You can instantly create grass to hide from your enemies, you can give everyone a big head to give yourself a comically large target, you can flip the map around to create your own route through the battlefield, and so much more. Not only does combat look incredibly fun, but Fragpunk also has a vibrant art style that makes gameplay even more electric and energetic to watch and play in.

Split Fiction

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 6

Split Fiction is the latest game from Hazelight Studios, the studio behind the exceptional co-op adventures A Way Out and It Takes Two. Like those games, Split Fiction will emphasize the value of unique teamwork throughout its entirely co-op campaign. 

Unlike those games, Split Fiction will explore a far wider variety of genres and gameplay concepts. Based on the idea that two writers have become stuck in their own creations, Split Fiction certainly looks like the most ambitious co-op game from a studio that is in a league of its own in that area. 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 20

While its delay left many fans wondering about the state of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we remain optimistic about this latest chapter in the series. In fact, we quite liked our time with a preview build of the game. Read our hands-on impressions here.

As the Assassin’s Creed franchise’s long-awaited trip to feudal Japan, Shadows looks to make good on what many feel is the series’ most promising historical setting. Expectations are certainly high, but Shadows’ fascinating two-protagonist system and enhanced combat, stealth, and traversal mechanics suggest it could offer an ideal blend of classic gameplay with more modern flourishes. 

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: March 20

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since the release of this Nintendo action RPG hit in which you get to explore a dangerous open world on giant mechs known as Skells. As a protector of the last remaining humans who managed to escape before Earth was destroyed, you and your companions are tasked with taming a new alien planet called Mira. Nintendo has confirmed this isn’t just a simple re-release of the 2015 game, though. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will also bring “newly added story elements,” which makes this one worth picking up again!

Tales of the Shire 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

Release Date: March 25

New cozy game alert! Tales of the Shire is like if Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing took a trip to the Shire of Lord of the Rings. The game lets players live out their dreams of spending time in the idyllic landscape of the Shire as they create their own character, decorate their own Hobbit hole, make friends in the community, and help the town flourish. We played Tales of the Shire at SGF and were impressed with the amount of care put into creating this version of the Shire. Even though the game isn’t technically canon, there are still plenty of references and easter eggs for Lord of the Rings fans to find. 

Atomfall

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Release Date: March 27

Another survival game? In this economy? Yes, though keep in mind that Atomfall has several tricks up its sleeve that instantly make it more appealing than the countless “craft some cheese” genre titles out there. 

Developed by Rebellion, the team behind the exceptional Sniper Elite series, Atomfall places far more emphasis on worldbuilding and storytelling than the average survival title. Set in a fictional version of Northern England following a nuclear disaster, it tasks you with discovering the truth behind this twisted world as you fight to stay alive. Rebellion has suggested that Atomfall is closer to something like BioShock than Rust, which should be enough to excite even the most survival-wary out there. 

APRIL

South of Midnight

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: April 8

Developer Compulsion Games has made quite a name for themselves in recent years. Their previous titles—Compulsion and We Happy Few—were undeniably unique, yet each suggested that the studio’s best work was ahead of them. Well, South of Midnight may very well prove to be the developers’ masterpiece. 

Set in a dark fantasy version of the Deep South, South of Midnight blends several regions of folklore with original creations and sets the whole thing to a rocking Southern soundtrack. It looks and sounds great, but it’s the game’s almost Beyond Good and Evil-esque gameplay that leads us to believe it could be something truly special. 

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4

Release Date: April 21

The popular ’90s fighting game franchise Fatal Fury is back after 26 years with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. With 22 playable characters, including 17 familiar faces from previous games, and 3 different modes of gameplay, there are plenty of options for longtime fans and franchise newcomers alike to have a great time. There’s a single-player RPG mode, Episodes of South Town, as well as online modes that allow you to match with other players or clones generated by automatic AI technology that learns your play style.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: April 24

Developed by the relatively small Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an upcoming turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics that is already looking to be one of the most exciting new games this year. Expedition 33‘s voice cast includes Charlie Cox and Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Jennifer English as two of the six playable characters you can use to build your team, crafting unique builds to fit your playstyle. Set in a world inspired by Bell Époque France, the game is full of hauntingly beautiful visuals that aren’t afraid to hide a little whimsy below the surface. Expedition 33 has an expansive world to explore, and we can’t wait to spend hours looking through every nook and cranny with these characters.

MAY

Doom: The Dark Ages

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: May 15

With 2016’s Doom and 2020’s Doom Eternal, developer id Software did so much more than bring the grandfather of FPS franchises into the modern age. Those games effectively set a new standard for single-player FPS titles that very few other games have been able to match. 

At worst, Doom: The Dark Ages figures to be a victory lap for a studio making the most audaciously entertaining FPS games on the market. It looks to be so much more than that, though. Dark Ages‘ almost Painkiller-esque weapons, style, and gameplay pacing suggest id has somehow found yet another gear and isn’t taking their foot off the gas as they boldly navigate new territory once again.

OCTOBER

Double Dragon Revive 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Windows PC

Release Date: October 23

Another popular fighting game franchise set to return this year is Double Dragon. This isn’t the first modern-era sequel for this arcade-style beat ’em up franchise, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t excited to see what this game has in store in 2025. With four playable characters, including brothers Jimmy and Billy Lee, modern 3D graphics, and an exhilarating belt-scroll action experience, Double Dragon Revive seems like a fun merge of past and present gaming.

TBA 2025

The Alters

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The Alters tells the story of Jan, a simple miner who crash lands on a hostile planet alone. Tasked with running a mobile base by himself, Jan soon realizes that he can’t do this alone if he’s going to survive. With the help of his ship’s quantum computer and a rare substance found on this planet, Jan is able to create clones of himself based on different life paths he may or may not have chosen in his past. While these clones are versions of him, they are also very different people with their own motivations, goals, and fears—which means that they don’t always get along. It’s a very intriguing premise that makes for a unique sci-fi survival game that we really can’t wait to play.

Borderlands 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The recently revealed—but long-rumored—fourth major Borderlands entry will try to get the series back on track after Borderlands 3 proved to be a somewhat surprising “meh” entry into the largely celebrated franchise. 

However, the surprising success of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and the Borderlands 4 team’s early promise to go bigger and better in every way with this game certainly suggests that they are aware of this franchise’s need to grow (and perhaps change a little bit). 

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4

With a mix of classic 2D and 3D style games, fans of classic Capcom arcade-style games have a lot to look forward to with Capcom Fighting Collection 2. Including titles such as Capcom vs. SNK, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Power Stone, Power Stone 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, and more, this game is perfect for anyone looking to recreate the retro-gaming experience. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 also includes an online play mode that allows you to play casual, ranked, and custom matches with other players across the globe. This game is also very beginner-friendly with training modes as well as adjustable difficulty settings and a customizable button layout that allows for one-button special moves in combat. So even if you aren’t an arcade legend, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Supermassive Games’ Dark Pictures Anthology is back with another immersive horror experience this year. Directive 8020 is the studios’ first foray into full on sci-fi horror, both for the Dark Pictures series and for the studio at large. House of Ashes toed the line between the genres with ancient vampiric aliens as the main source of scares, but the game was very much still grounded on Earth. Directive 8020 follows the crew of the Cassiopeia as they find themselves hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey – very much like The Thing, but actually in space. With Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) as the games’ star, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is going to be an epic and terrifying adventure to play through.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Platforms: PlayStation 5

Love it or hate it (opinions only seem to go one way or the other), Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding remains one of the most fascinating games of the last five years. The first significant project of Kojima’s post-Konami era featured all the eerily accurate social commentary, divisive gameplay, and bombastic storytelling we’ve come to expected from one of gaming’s few true auteurs, and the second installment promises to dive even deeper into the weirdness of this post-apocalyptic world.

Though we know relatively little about Death Stranding 2, the game’s star-studded cast, Kojima’s creative presence, and the original title’s fascinating concepts are enough reasons to consider this one of 2025’s most highly-anticipated new releases. It’s doubtful this sequel will make many efforts to appease those turned off by the original’s methodical gameplay, but Death Stranding 2’s confirmed meditations on the impact of post-COVID society should certainly cause a stir. 

Dune: Awakening 

Platforms: Windows PC

Set on Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the universe, Dune: Awakening is an open world survival MMO where you begin as a prisoner on the planet and must do what you can to survive the harsh, unforgiving landscape. Whether you band together with other players or go at it alone, your path is yours to choose, with a variety of skill specialties to choose from including Swordmaster, Bene Gesserit, Trooper, Mentat, and Planetologist. Dune: Awakening looks to be an exciting expansion of this universe, for both fans and newcomers alike. What we saw of the game last year’s Summer Game Fest certainly left us wanting more.

Dying Light: The Beast 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

After over a decade in captivity, Dying Light hero Kyle Crane escapes into a changed world, though not necessarily for the better. Using not only the survival skills honed in the previous games, but also some new abilities that come from being experimented on, in Dying Light: The Beast, you’ll once again play as Crane as he tries to help the survivors of Castor Woods and keep the ever increasing population of zombies at bay. This survival horror game also has a 4-player co-op feature if you want a little help to make it through the violent, zombie-filled nights.

Elden Ring Nightreign

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Few expected FromSoftware to return to Elden Ring so quickly, and nobody expected them to deliver something like Nightreign. This spin-off of the Elden Ring series is essentially a co-op roguelike dungeon crawler with several Elden Ring-flavored twists. Picture Dark Alliance with more Elden Ring-like gameplay and…well, that still doesn’t quite paint the picture. 

Yet, between Nightreign’s pre-set characters, generally lowered difficulty level, and much faster gameplay, it’s hard not to be intrigued by what FromSoftware is cooking. Are they testing the waters for a big new concept, or is this simply a standalone passion project? 

Fable

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The Fable franchise is one of gaming’s oddest beasts. It has historically fallen short of expectations, in large part due to the outrageous promises that have come to define the series’ creator, Peter Molyneux. Yet, those original games also offered a rather unique genre experience that many crave due to a lack of proper alternatives. 

With their reboot of the franchise (sans Molyneux), developer Playground Games looks to recapture the series’ unique charms while inching Fable closer to its full potential. It’s a tall task, but the Fable footage released so far demonstrates Playground’s understanding of the humor and whimsy that have long made Fable one of the most enjoyable fantasy franchises to lose yourself in.

Ghost of Yotei

Platforms: PlayStation 5

With 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, developer Sucker Punch Productions delivered the rare modern open-world title that felt both comfortably familiar and creatively inventive. Ghost of Tsushima didn’t break the genre mold so much as it used its historical setting as the basis of one of the most stunning and engaging open-world experiences this side of a Rockstar Games production. It is also arguably the best samurai title ever made. 

As the standalone sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei obviously won’t be able to ride the wave of surprising delights that helped elevate Tsushima among those who went into it with modest expectations. Yet, the Yotei team’s promise to emphasize an “underdog of vengeance” story and “the romance and beauty of feudal Japan” should be more than enough to get you excited about the opportunity to dive back into this world where every pixel is a painting. 

Grand Theft Auto 6

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Grand Theft Auto 6 may be the most anticipated release in video game history. It’s not just the 10+ years since the release of GTA 5, the absurdly high standards of this series, and the ways GTA has reached even the most casual modern gamers. There’s a strong argument to be made that the success or failure of GTA 6 could alter the fate of an industry that is increasingly dependent on its biggest blockbusters. Well, there is no blockbuster bigger than GTA 6. 

Mind you, we still know relatively little about the game itself. With only one official trailer—and quite a few leaks—to go on, we can tell you that the next Grand Theft Auto will take us to a fictional version of Florida and focus on two lovers on the run from the law. Everything else will be a surprise, it seems. That’s actually kind of nice. Of course, it’d be a lot nicer if we could just finally play the damn game. 

Judas

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

From the creator of BioShock, Judas is a single player narrative FPS set on a disintegrating starship. Playing as the “mysterious and troubled” Judas, you must navigate alliances, fight against foes, and do whatever it takes to escape. Whether you’re a fan of BioShock or just looking for a new and intriguing sci-fi game, Judas is definitely one to keep your eye on this year.

Killing Floor 3 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The co-op action horror FPS franchise that’s fun for your entire squad of friends is back this year with Killing Floor 3. Made with Unreal Engine 5, this next-gen sequel looks to be full of the blood, gore, and heart-pounding action that fans have come to love. Playing as a member of the rebel group Nightfall, you and up to five teammates must fight against waves of zeds (bioengineered zombies) in order to save humanity.

Mafia: The Old Country

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Developer Hangar 13 gets to continue what they started in the underrated Mafia III with the upcoming Mafia: The Old Country. As the name suggests, this game will take the franchise back to its relative roots (early 1900s Sicily) and serve as a kind of origin story for the series. 

The setting is unique relative to other crime games, and Hangar 13 has already shown that they can maintain and elevate this series’ standard for excellent storytelling, characters, and environments. It’s not ideal that this game is coming out the same year as GTA 6, but Old Country’s likely release date head start and distinct style should help it distinguish itself as a worthwhile alternative. 

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The relative lack of Marvel games during the MCU era of entertainment was always a shock. Conventional corporate wisdom tells us that we should be swimming in games that adapt and go beyond MCU movies and shows. Yet, we’ve been left with slim pickings so far. Thankfully, Marvel 1943 looks to help fill that considerable void. 

Set in Paris during World War II, this action/adventure game will follow Captain America, Black Panther, and their military allies as they battle Hydra and the Axis forces. On paper, that’s the exact kind of “familiar, yet distinct” approach to Marvel gaming that helped make Insomniac’s Spider-Man titles such a success. 

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

That siren you’ve been hearing is the warning sound that accompanied the announcement of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and has been trailing the game throughout its development. Simply put, the prospect of Konami approving a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater following their infamous split with creator Hideo Kojima felt perilous at best and insulting at worst. 

But the success of 2024’s Silent Hill 2 remake has a lot of people feeling much more excited about this next remake. Granted, they are different games being developed by different studios, but suddenly the prospect of a remake of a beloved Konami game delivering a worthwhile experience without the help of their original creators doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Given that it was revealed around the time that the Nintendo Switch was released, we once thought that Metroid Prime 4 was going to be one of the titles that Nintendo used to sell people on their strange new hardware. Now, Metroid Prime 4 is poised to be the swan song for one of the most successful gaming devices ever made. Hey, no pressure. 

Yes, it’s surprising that we’ve still seen so little of Metroid Prime 4. After all this time, though, the promise of more Metroid Prime is still enough to leave us impossibly excited about this project. At a time when the Metroidvania genre dominates the indie scene and is the DNA of many modern games, Metroid Prime 4 seems primed to finally earn this series the undeniable sales success it always deserved. 

Ninja Gaiden 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

After over a decade since the last mainline game, the Ninja Gaiden series is back this year with Ninja Gaiden 4 currently in active development with Team Ninja. Set in a dark, gritty dystopian Tokyo, Ninja Gaiden 4 follows new protagonist Yakumo, a young ninja prodigy connected to the formidable Master Ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, who is also a playable character in the game. As Yakumo navigates this world and tries to put a stop to the Dark Dragon’s rise, he must also face off against his foes, and Hayabusa to become the ninja the world needs him to be. During the Xbox developer direct showcase, Team Ninja was adamant that this game isn’t just for longtime fans of the series and that they hope it can be an entry point for newcomers as well.

The Outer Worlds 2

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

As the spiritual sequel to Fallout: New Vegas, 2019’s The Outer Worlds was essentially a dream Obsidian Entertainment RPG. Along with fulfilling quite a few Fallout fantasies, The Outer Worlds proved to be a compelling, enjoyable, genuinely funny, and surprisingly deep sci-fi role-playing experience in its own right.

With The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian has made it clear that they intend to pick up where they left off and simply go bigger with everything. On paper, it’s not the most ambitious goal for a sequel. However, given that you can attribute many of The Outer Worlds’ biggest flaws to its first-draft nature, the team doesn’t have to go too far out of its way to make this one of 2025’s most essential role-playing experiences.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

The Pokémon series has been on a surprisingly rough run in recent years. While they’re as successful as ever, the recent mainline Pokémon games have rightly been criticized for their relative lack of ambition and various technical issues. One of the franchise’s highlights during that era—2022’s Pokémon Legends: Arceus—garnered acclaim for taking the series in a relatively fresh open-world direction. 

Based on what we know, Pokémon Legends: Z-A looks to retain most of Arceus’ core concepts while exploring an era when Pokémon and humans were first learning to co-exist in shared environments. It’s a fantastic setup that also seemingly features the return of the largely beloved Mega Evolutions concept. 

Revenge of the Savage Planet 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

In this upbeat, satirical sci-fi adventure game, you play as a space explorer fired and abandoned by your corporate employer – because even in space, the cruel hand of capitalism knows no bounds. With few resources and no safety net, you must explore every inch of the planets you visit to collect resources that will help you level up, return to Earth, and get revenge on your greedy corporate overlords. With single player, online co-op, crossplay, and split screen modes at your disposal, you can go at it alone, or team up with a friend to scan as many planets, capture as many creatures, and explore as many terrains as you can. Revenge of the Savage Planet looks like it’ll be a zany, fun time, and we can’t wait to check it out.

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The biggest upcoming games of 2025 makes 2024 look like an even slower year for new releases. It seems to be a trend: as the average development time for games continues to grow, more and more major titles are dropping in batches during select years. Like 2023 before it, 2025 is going to be one […]

The post New Video Game Releases for 2025: Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, PC appeared first on Den of Geek.

The biggest upcoming games of 2025 makes 2024 look like an even slower year for new releases. It seems to be a trend: as the average development time for games continues to grow, more and more major titles are dropping in batches during select years. Like 2023 before it, 2025 is going to be one of those years. 

While the upcoming year will rightfully be defined by the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, the fact of the matter is that Rockstar’s next game could slip into 2026 and you’d still be left with an absolutely stacked year for new releases. That said, we apologize for putting that thought out into the world. 

Here are the biggest games you need to keep an eye on in 2025!

JANUARY

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: January 16

There might not be much in terms of new whole new first-party experiences on the original Switch early this year, but there are at least a few remasters of Nintendo titles to look forward to while fans wait for the release of the Switch 2. The great Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was ported over from the Wii U to the Switch in 2018 and now Wii hit Donkey Kong Country Returns is getting the HD remaster treatment.

Bringing all the classic elements you expect from the Donkey Kong Country games, this platformer follows Donkey Kong (and Diddy Kong if you want to play this one with a friend) on a quest through nine worlds to retrieve their precious bananas from a group of evil Tikis. Along the way, expect mine cart levels, plenty of collectibles, and lots of surprises.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: January 17

If you’ve been waiting to try the Dynasty Warriors series of hack-and-slash action games, Origins is your time. Essentially a reboot of the story, this latest installment is not only a vastly more cinematic retelling of the novel on which the games are based but also a complete visual overhaul as well as retooling of the combat mechanics fans know and love. It’s also an incredibly entertaining action game that throws hundreds of enemies at you at a time in huge battles that players are encouraged to turn into their playground. This is a sleeper hit of 2025.

Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: January 23

Originally released for the PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles has been re-released for its 25th anniversary. This remastered version of the classic Star Wars game brings back couch co-op mode, training rooms, bonus levels, and the arcade cheats and power-ups that made the original version so fun. In addition, the game has 13 new playable characters, including Jar Jar Binks, and a lightsaber toggle that allows players to choose between the original lightsaber colors used in the game or more screen-accurate versions. No matter your age, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is sure to be a fun walk (or Force-powered jump) down memory lane.

FEBRUARY

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 4

2018’s Kingdom Come: Deliverance boasts one of the strangest success stories in modern gaming. Following a Kickstarter campaign that seemed to be built on unrealistic promises, Deliverance launched with quite a few bugs and several controversies. And yet, a few patches and a little distance revealed Deliverance to be one of the best attempts to recapture those old Elder Scrolls feelings and a pretty incredible medieval RPG in its own right. 

With Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developer Warhorse Studios makes the most of the lessons they learned from the first game. Set shortly after the original, Deliverance 2 delivers a far smoother presentation than its predecessor, yet has lost none of that outside-the-box ambition that made the original feel so special to play.

Civilization 7

Platforms: Windows PC

Release Date: February 11

The announcement of a new Civilization game inspires equally powerful feelings of joy and dread. Yay, I get to lose myself in one of the finest strategy series ever created. Oh no, I’ll lose hours of my life to the game that famously makes players say “one more turn” until the cruel light of the rising sun invades the perimeters of their vision. 

Still, a new Civilization game is mostly good news. Firaxis Games’ guiding hand and the promised ability to mix and match large chunks of history certainly is+ a winning combo for this franchise that has rarely steered us wrong. 

Avowed

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 13

The phrase “new Obsidian RPG” is more than enough to get a title on any respectable list of anticipated upcoming games. Obsidian Entertainment is one of the greatest RPG studios of all time, and their recent efforts demonstrate their willingness to keep pushing the envelope. 

In some ways, Avowed feels like the culmination of Obsidian’s efforts to create the ideal modern RPG experience. It’s an action-packed real-time experience filled with the kind of character-building, role-playing decisions, and clever writing that Obsidian is known for. While our preview of Avowed raised some unanswered questions about the game’s depth, the allure of its classic fantasy world is pretty powerful. 

Monster Hunter Wilds 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 28

The latest chapter in the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Wilds is set in the Forbidden Lands, an uncharted region long thought to be uninhabited. That is, until a boy named Nata is discovered near the border of these lands, on the run from a mysterious creature known as the White Wraith that attacked his people. As the player, you control The Hunter, one of the professional monster hunters tasked with searching for the White Wraith, charting the Forbidden Lands, and searching for Nata’s people. Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t only have an intriguing story, however. The game also features new fighting moves and a wide variety of weapons and equipment that give you even more ways to use monsters and their environment to your advantage. Even if you’re not familiar with the series, Monster Hunter Wilds looks to be a fun game for any fan of action RPG games.

MARCH

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: March 6

Konami’s RPG series Suikoden is joining a long list of classic RPGs getting a fresh update for modern consoles. The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster will feature improvements to graphics and the art style, gameplay mechanics, and sound. Players will also now have the option to automate battles with a single button and play through combat at double-speed. Despite all of these updates, however, the developers are still striving to keep the original story and the “charm of the colorful cast of characters” that fans know and love intact.

Fragpunk

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 6

Fragpunk is an upcoming 5v5 FPS that lets you bend the rules of gameplay with unique Shard Cards that each have their own abilities and effects on the game. You can instantly create grass to hide from your enemies, you can give everyone a big head to give yourself a comically large target, you can flip the map around to create your own route through the battlefield, and so much more. Not only does combat look incredibly fun, but Fragpunk also has a vibrant art style that makes gameplay even more electric and energetic to watch and play in.

Split Fiction

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 6

Split Fiction is the latest game from Hazelight Studios, the studio behind the exceptional co-op adventures A Way Out and It Takes Two. Like those games, Split Fiction will emphasize the value of unique teamwork throughout its entirely co-op campaign. 

Unlike those games, Split Fiction will explore a far wider variety of genres and gameplay concepts. Based on the idea that two writers have become stuck in their own creations, Split Fiction certainly looks like the most ambitious co-op game from a studio that is in a league of its own in that area. 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 20

While its delay left many fans wondering about the state of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we remain optimistic about this latest chapter in the series. In fact, we quite liked our time with a preview build of the game. Read our hands-on impressions here.

As the Assassin’s Creed franchise’s long-awaited trip to feudal Japan, Shadows looks to make good on what many feel is the series’ most promising historical setting. Expectations are certainly high, but Shadows’ fascinating two-protagonist system and enhanced combat, stealth, and traversal mechanics suggest it could offer an ideal blend of classic gameplay with more modern flourishes. 

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: March 20

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since the release of this Nintendo action RPG hit in which you get to explore a dangerous open world on giant mechs known as Skells. As a protector of the last remaining humans who managed to escape before Earth was destroyed, you and your companions are tasked with taming a new alien planet called Mira. Nintendo has confirmed this isn’t just a simple re-release of the 2015 game, though. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will also bring “newly added story elements,” which makes this one worth picking up again!

Tales of the Shire 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

Release Date: March 25

New cozy game alert! Tales of the Shire is like if Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing took a trip to the Shire of Lord of the Rings. The game lets players live out their dreams of spending time in the idyllic landscape of the Shire as they create their own character, decorate their own Hobbit hole, make friends in the community, and help the town flourish. We played Tales of the Shire at SGF and were impressed with the amount of care put into creating this version of the Shire. Even though the game isn’t technically canon, there are still plenty of references and easter eggs for Lord of the Rings fans to find. 

Atomfall

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Release Date: March 27

Another survival game? In this economy? Yes, though keep in mind that Atomfall has several tricks up its sleeve that instantly make it more appealing than the countless “craft some cheese” genre titles out there. 

Developed by Rebellion, the team behind the exceptional Sniper Elite series, Atomfall places far more emphasis on worldbuilding and storytelling than the average survival title. Set in a fictional version of Northern England following a nuclear disaster, it tasks you with discovering the truth behind this twisted world as you fight to stay alive. Rebellion has suggested that Atomfall is closer to something like BioShock than Rust, which should be enough to excite even the most survival-wary out there. 

APRIL

South of Midnight

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: April 8

Developer Compulsion Games has made quite a name for themselves in recent years. Their previous titles—Compulsion and We Happy Few—were undeniably unique, yet each suggested that the studio’s best work was ahead of them. Well, South of Midnight may very well prove to be the developers’ masterpiece. 

Set in a dark fantasy version of the Deep South, South of Midnight blends several regions of folklore with original creations and sets the whole thing to a rocking Southern soundtrack. It looks and sounds great, but it’s the game’s almost Beyond Good and Evil-esque gameplay that leads us to believe it could be something truly special. 

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4

Release Date: April 21

The popular ’90s fighting game franchise Fatal Fury is back after 26 years with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. With 22 playable characters, including 17 familiar faces from previous games, and 3 different modes of gameplay, there are plenty of options for longtime fans and franchise newcomers alike to have a great time. There’s a single-player RPG mode, Episodes of South Town, as well as online modes that allow you to match with other players or clones generated by automatic AI technology that learns your play style.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: April 24

Developed by the relatively small Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an upcoming turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics that is already looking to be one of the most exciting new games this year. Expedition 33‘s voice cast includes Charlie Cox and Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Jennifer English as two of the six playable characters you can use to build your team, crafting unique builds to fit your playstyle. Set in a world inspired by Bell Époque France, the game is full of hauntingly beautiful visuals that aren’t afraid to hide a little whimsy below the surface. Expedition 33 has an expansive world to explore, and we can’t wait to spend hours looking through every nook and cranny with these characters.

MAY

Doom: The Dark Ages

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: May 15

With 2016’s Doom and 2020’s Doom Eternal, developer id Software did so much more than bring the grandfather of FPS franchises into the modern age. Those games effectively set a new standard for single-player FPS titles that very few other games have been able to match. 

At worst, Doom: The Dark Ages figures to be a victory lap for a studio making the most audaciously entertaining FPS games on the market. It looks to be so much more than that, though. Dark Ages‘ almost Painkiller-esque weapons, style, and gameplay pacing suggest id has somehow found yet another gear and isn’t taking their foot off the gas as they boldly navigate new territory once again.

OCTOBER

Double Dragon Revive 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Windows PC

Release Date: October 23

Another popular fighting game franchise set to return this year is Double Dragon. This isn’t the first modern-era sequel for this arcade-style beat ’em up franchise, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t excited to see what this game has in store in 2025. With four playable characters, including brothers Jimmy and Billy Lee, modern 3D graphics, and an exhilarating belt-scroll action experience, Double Dragon Revive seems like a fun merge of past and present gaming.

TBA 2025

The Alters

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The Alters tells the story of Jan, a simple miner who crash lands on a hostile planet alone. Tasked with running a mobile base by himself, Jan soon realizes that he can’t do this alone if he’s going to survive. With the help of his ship’s quantum computer and a rare substance found on this planet, Jan is able to create clones of himself based on different life paths he may or may not have chosen in his past. While these clones are versions of him, they are also very different people with their own motivations, goals, and fears—which means that they don’t always get along. It’s a very intriguing premise that makes for a unique sci-fi survival game that we really can’t wait to play.

Borderlands 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The recently revealed—but long-rumored—fourth major Borderlands entry will try to get the series back on track after Borderlands 3 proved to be a somewhat surprising “meh” entry into the largely celebrated franchise. 

However, the surprising success of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and the Borderlands 4 team’s early promise to go bigger and better in every way with this game certainly suggests that they are aware of this franchise’s need to grow (and perhaps change a little bit). 

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4

With a mix of classic 2D and 3D style games, fans of classic Capcom arcade-style games have a lot to look forward to with Capcom Fighting Collection 2. Including titles such as Capcom vs. SNK, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Power Stone, Power Stone 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, and more, this game is perfect for anyone looking to recreate the retro-gaming experience. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 also includes an online play mode that allows you to play casual, ranked, and custom matches with other players across the globe. This game is also very beginner-friendly with training modes as well as adjustable difficulty settings and a customizable button layout that allows for one-button special moves in combat. So even if you aren’t an arcade legend, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Supermassive Games’ Dark Pictures Anthology is back with another immersive horror experience this year. Directive 8020 is the studios’ first foray into full on sci-fi horror, both for the Dark Pictures series and for the studio at large. House of Ashes toed the line between the genres with ancient vampiric aliens as the main source of scares, but the game was very much still grounded on Earth. Directive 8020 follows the crew of the Cassiopeia as they find themselves hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey – very much like The Thing, but actually in space. With Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) as the games’ star, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is going to be an epic and terrifying adventure to play through.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Platforms: PlayStation 5

Love it or hate it (opinions only seem to go one way or the other), Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding remains one of the most fascinating games of the last five years. The first significant project of Kojima’s post-Konami era featured all the eerily accurate social commentary, divisive gameplay, and bombastic storytelling we’ve come to expected from one of gaming’s few true auteurs, and the second installment promises to dive even deeper into the weirdness of this post-apocalyptic world.

Though we know relatively little about Death Stranding 2, the game’s star-studded cast, Kojima’s creative presence, and the original title’s fascinating concepts are enough reasons to consider this one of 2025’s most highly-anticipated new releases. It’s doubtful this sequel will make many efforts to appease those turned off by the original’s methodical gameplay, but Death Stranding 2’s confirmed meditations on the impact of post-COVID society should certainly cause a stir. 

Dune: Awakening 

Platforms: Windows PC

Set on Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the universe, Dune: Awakening is an open world survival MMO where you begin as a prisoner on the planet and must do what you can to survive the harsh, unforgiving landscape. Whether you band together with other players or go at it alone, your path is yours to choose, with a variety of skill specialties to choose from including Swordmaster, Bene Gesserit, Trooper, Mentat, and Planetologist. Dune: Awakening looks to be an exciting expansion of this universe, for both fans and newcomers alike. What we saw of the game last year’s Summer Game Fest certainly left us wanting more.

Dying Light: The Beast 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

After over a decade in captivity, Dying Light hero Kyle Crane escapes into a changed world, though not necessarily for the better. Using not only the survival skills honed in the previous games, but also some new abilities that come from being experimented on, in Dying Light: The Beast, you’ll once again play as Crane as he tries to help the survivors of Castor Woods and keep the ever increasing population of zombies at bay. This survival horror game also has a 4-player co-op feature if you want a little help to make it through the violent, zombie-filled nights.

Elden Ring Nightreign

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Few expected FromSoftware to return to Elden Ring so quickly, and nobody expected them to deliver something like Nightreign. This spin-off of the Elden Ring series is essentially a co-op roguelike dungeon crawler with several Elden Ring-flavored twists. Picture Dark Alliance with more Elden Ring-like gameplay and…well, that still doesn’t quite paint the picture. 

Yet, between Nightreign’s pre-set characters, generally lowered difficulty level, and much faster gameplay, it’s hard not to be intrigued by what FromSoftware is cooking. Are they testing the waters for a big new concept, or is this simply a standalone passion project? 

Fable

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The Fable franchise is one of gaming’s oddest beasts. It has historically fallen short of expectations, in large part due to the outrageous promises that have come to define the series’ creator, Peter Molyneux. Yet, those original games also offered a rather unique genre experience that many crave due to a lack of proper alternatives. 

With their reboot of the franchise (sans Molyneux), developer Playground Games looks to recapture the series’ unique charms while inching Fable closer to its full potential. It’s a tall task, but the Fable footage released so far demonstrates Playground’s understanding of the humor and whimsy that have long made Fable one of the most enjoyable fantasy franchises to lose yourself in.

Ghost of Yotei

Platforms: PlayStation 5

With 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, developer Sucker Punch Productions delivered the rare modern open-world title that felt both comfortably familiar and creatively inventive. Ghost of Tsushima didn’t break the genre mold so much as it used its historical setting as the basis of one of the most stunning and engaging open-world experiences this side of a Rockstar Games production. It is also arguably the best samurai title ever made. 

As the standalone sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei obviously won’t be able to ride the wave of surprising delights that helped elevate Tsushima among those who went into it with modest expectations. Yet, the Yotei team’s promise to emphasize an “underdog of vengeance” story and “the romance and beauty of feudal Japan” should be more than enough to get you excited about the opportunity to dive back into this world where every pixel is a painting. 

Grand Theft Auto 6

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Grand Theft Auto 6 may be the most anticipated release in video game history. It’s not just the 10+ years since the release of GTA 5, the absurdly high standards of this series, and the ways GTA has reached even the most casual modern gamers. There’s a strong argument to be made that the success or failure of GTA 6 could alter the fate of an industry that is increasingly dependent on its biggest blockbusters. Well, there is no blockbuster bigger than GTA 6. 

Mind you, we still know relatively little about the game itself. With only one official trailer—and quite a few leaks—to go on, we can tell you that the next Grand Theft Auto will take us to a fictional version of Florida and focus on two lovers on the run from the law. Everything else will be a surprise, it seems. That’s actually kind of nice. Of course, it’d be a lot nicer if we could just finally play the damn game. 

Judas

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

From the creator of BioShock, Judas is a single player narrative FPS set on a disintegrating starship. Playing as the “mysterious and troubled” Judas, you must navigate alliances, fight against foes, and do whatever it takes to escape. Whether you’re a fan of BioShock or just looking for a new and intriguing sci-fi game, Judas is definitely one to keep your eye on this year.

Killing Floor 3 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The co-op action horror FPS franchise that’s fun for your entire squad of friends is back this year with Killing Floor 3. Made with Unreal Engine 5, this next-gen sequel looks to be full of the blood, gore, and heart-pounding action that fans have come to love. Playing as a member of the rebel group Nightfall, you and up to five teammates must fight against waves of zeds (bioengineered zombies) in order to save humanity.

Mafia: The Old Country

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Developer Hangar 13 gets to continue what they started in the underrated Mafia III with the upcoming Mafia: The Old Country. As the name suggests, this game will take the franchise back to its relative roots (early 1900s Sicily) and serve as a kind of origin story for the series. 

The setting is unique relative to other crime games, and Hangar 13 has already shown that they can maintain and elevate this series’ standard for excellent storytelling, characters, and environments. It’s not ideal that this game is coming out the same year as GTA 6, but Old Country’s likely release date head start and distinct style should help it distinguish itself as a worthwhile alternative. 

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The relative lack of Marvel games during the MCU era of entertainment was always a shock. Conventional corporate wisdom tells us that we should be swimming in games that adapt and go beyond MCU movies and shows. Yet, we’ve been left with slim pickings so far. Thankfully, Marvel 1943 looks to help fill that considerable void. 

Set in Paris during World War II, this action/adventure game will follow Captain America, Black Panther, and their military allies as they battle Hydra and the Axis forces. On paper, that’s the exact kind of “familiar, yet distinct” approach to Marvel gaming that helped make Insomniac’s Spider-Man titles such a success. 

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

That siren you’ve been hearing is the warning sound that accompanied the announcement of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and has been trailing the game throughout its development. Simply put, the prospect of Konami approving a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater following their infamous split with creator Hideo Kojima felt perilous at best and insulting at worst. 

But the success of 2024’s Silent Hill 2 remake has a lot of people feeling much more excited about this next remake. Granted, they are different games being developed by different studios, but suddenly the prospect of a remake of a beloved Konami game delivering a worthwhile experience without the help of their original creators doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Given that it was revealed around the time that the Nintendo Switch was released, we once thought that Metroid Prime 4 was going to be one of the titles that Nintendo used to sell people on their strange new hardware. Now, Metroid Prime 4 is poised to be the swan song for one of the most successful gaming devices ever made. Hey, no pressure. 

Yes, it’s surprising that we’ve still seen so little of Metroid Prime 4. After all this time, though, the promise of more Metroid Prime is still enough to leave us impossibly excited about this project. At a time when the Metroidvania genre dominates the indie scene and is the DNA of many modern games, Metroid Prime 4 seems primed to finally earn this series the undeniable sales success it always deserved. 

Ninja Gaiden 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

After over a decade since the last mainline game, the Ninja Gaiden series is back this year with Ninja Gaiden 4 currently in active development with Team Ninja. Set in a dark, gritty dystopian Tokyo, Ninja Gaiden 4 follows new protagonist Yakumo, a young ninja prodigy connected to the formidable Master Ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, who is also a playable character in the game. As Yakumo navigates this world and tries to put a stop to the Dark Dragon’s rise, he must also face off against his foes, and Hayabusa to become the ninja the world needs him to be. During the Xbox developer direct showcase, Team Ninja was adamant that this game isn’t just for longtime fans of the series and that they hope it can be an entry point for newcomers as well.

The Outer Worlds 2

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

As the spiritual sequel to Fallout: New Vegas, 2019’s The Outer Worlds was essentially a dream Obsidian Entertainment RPG. Along with fulfilling quite a few Fallout fantasies, The Outer Worlds proved to be a compelling, enjoyable, genuinely funny, and surprisingly deep sci-fi role-playing experience in its own right.

With The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian has made it clear that they intend to pick up where they left off and simply go bigger with everything. On paper, it’s not the most ambitious goal for a sequel. However, given that you can attribute many of The Outer Worlds’ biggest flaws to its first-draft nature, the team doesn’t have to go too far out of its way to make this one of 2025’s most essential role-playing experiences.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

The Pokémon series has been on a surprisingly rough run in recent years. While they’re as successful as ever, the recent mainline Pokémon games have rightly been criticized for their relative lack of ambition and various technical issues. One of the franchise’s highlights during that era—2022’s Pokémon Legends: Arceus—garnered acclaim for taking the series in a relatively fresh open-world direction. 

Based on what we know, Pokémon Legends: Z-A looks to retain most of Arceus’ core concepts while exploring an era when Pokémon and humans were first learning to co-exist in shared environments. It’s a fantastic setup that also seemingly features the return of the largely beloved Mega Evolutions concept. 

Revenge of the Savage Planet 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

In this upbeat, satirical sci-fi adventure game, you play as a space explorer fired and abandoned by your corporate employer – because even in space, the cruel hand of capitalism knows no bounds. With few resources and no safety net, you must explore every inch of the planets you visit to collect resources that will help you level up, return to Earth, and get revenge on your greedy corporate overlords. With single player, online co-op, crossplay, and split screen modes at your disposal, you can go at it alone, or team up with a friend to scan as many planets, capture as many creatures, and explore as many terrains as you can. Revenge of the Savage Planet looks like it’ll be a zany, fun time, and we can’t wait to check it out.

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Wrestling fans know that there are few events more thrilling than the WWE Royal Rumble, and 2025’s edition, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, was no exception. But what made this year’s Rumble even more unforgettable wasn’t just the action in the ring—it was the way the entire city embraced the spectacle. Indy wasn’t just a host […]

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The biggest upcoming games of 2025 makes 2024 look like an even slower year for new releases. It seems to be a trend: as the average development time for games continues to grow, more and more major titles are dropping in batches during select years. Like 2023 before it, 2025 is going to be one of those years. 

While the upcoming year will rightfully be defined by the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, the fact of the matter is that Rockstar’s next game could slip into 2026 and you’d still be left with an absolutely stacked year for new releases. That said, we apologize for putting that thought out into the world. 

Here are the biggest games you need to keep an eye on in 2025!

JANUARY

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: January 16

There might not be much in terms of new whole new first-party experiences on the original Switch early this year, but there are at least a few remasters of Nintendo titles to look forward to while fans wait for the release of the Switch 2. The great Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was ported over from the Wii U to the Switch in 2018 and now Wii hit Donkey Kong Country Returns is getting the HD remaster treatment.

Bringing all the classic elements you expect from the Donkey Kong Country games, this platformer follows Donkey Kong (and Diddy Kong if you want to play this one with a friend) on a quest through nine worlds to retrieve their precious bananas from a group of evil Tikis. Along the way, expect mine cart levels, plenty of collectibles, and lots of surprises.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: January 17

If you’ve been waiting to try the Dynasty Warriors series of hack-and-slash action games, Origins is your time. Essentially a reboot of the story, this latest installment is not only a vastly more cinematic retelling of the novel on which the games are based but also a complete visual overhaul as well as retooling of the combat mechanics fans know and love. It’s also an incredibly entertaining action game that throws hundreds of enemies at you at a time in huge battles that players are encouraged to turn into their playground. This is a sleeper hit of 2025.

Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: January 23

Originally released for the PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles has been re-released for its 25th anniversary. This remastered version of the classic Star Wars game brings back couch co-op mode, training rooms, bonus levels, and the arcade cheats and power-ups that made the original version so fun. In addition, the game has 13 new playable characters, including Jar Jar Binks, and a lightsaber toggle that allows players to choose between the original lightsaber colors used in the game or more screen-accurate versions. No matter your age, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is sure to be a fun walk (or Force-powered jump) down memory lane.

FEBRUARY

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 4

2018’s Kingdom Come: Deliverance boasts one of the strangest success stories in modern gaming. Following a Kickstarter campaign that seemed to be built on unrealistic promises, Deliverance launched with quite a few bugs and several controversies. And yet, a few patches and a little distance revealed Deliverance to be one of the best attempts to recapture those old Elder Scrolls feelings and a pretty incredible medieval RPG in its own right. 

With Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developer Warhorse Studios makes the most of the lessons they learned from the first game. Set shortly after the original, Deliverance 2 delivers a far smoother presentation than its predecessor, yet has lost none of that outside-the-box ambition that made the original feel so special to play.

Civilization 7

Platforms: Windows PC

Release Date: February 11

The announcement of a new Civilization game inspires equally powerful feelings of joy and dread. Yay, I get to lose myself in one of the finest strategy series ever created. Oh no, I’ll lose hours of my life to the game that famously makes players say “one more turn” until the cruel light of the rising sun invades the perimeters of their vision. 

Still, a new Civilization game is mostly good news. Firaxis Games’ guiding hand and the promised ability to mix and match large chunks of history certainly is+ a winning combo for this franchise that has rarely steered us wrong. 

Avowed

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 13

The phrase “new Obsidian RPG” is more than enough to get a title on any respectable list of anticipated upcoming games. Obsidian Entertainment is one of the greatest RPG studios of all time, and their recent efforts demonstrate their willingness to keep pushing the envelope. 

In some ways, Avowed feels like the culmination of Obsidian’s efforts to create the ideal modern RPG experience. It’s an action-packed real-time experience filled with the kind of character-building, role-playing decisions, and clever writing that Obsidian is known for. While our preview of Avowed raised some unanswered questions about the game’s depth, the allure of its classic fantasy world is pretty powerful. 

Monster Hunter Wilds 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: February 28

The latest chapter in the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Wilds is set in the Forbidden Lands, an uncharted region long thought to be uninhabited. That is, until a boy named Nata is discovered near the border of these lands, on the run from a mysterious creature known as the White Wraith that attacked his people. As the player, you control The Hunter, one of the professional monster hunters tasked with searching for the White Wraith, charting the Forbidden Lands, and searching for Nata’s people. Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t only have an intriguing story, however. The game also features new fighting moves and a wide variety of weapons and equipment that give you even more ways to use monsters and their environment to your advantage. Even if you’re not familiar with the series, Monster Hunter Wilds looks to be a fun game for any fan of action RPG games.

MARCH

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: March 6

Konami’s RPG series Suikoden is joining a long list of classic RPGs getting a fresh update for modern consoles. The Suikoden I & II HD Remaster will feature improvements to graphics and the art style, gameplay mechanics, and sound. Players will also now have the option to automate battles with a single button and play through combat at double-speed. Despite all of these updates, however, the developers are still striving to keep the original story and the “charm of the colorful cast of characters” that fans know and love intact.

Fragpunk

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 6

Fragpunk is an upcoming 5v5 FPS that lets you bend the rules of gameplay with unique Shard Cards that each have their own abilities and effects on the game. You can instantly create grass to hide from your enemies, you can give everyone a big head to give yourself a comically large target, you can flip the map around to create your own route through the battlefield, and so much more. Not only does combat look incredibly fun, but Fragpunk also has a vibrant art style that makes gameplay even more electric and energetic to watch and play in.

Split Fiction

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 6

Split Fiction is the latest game from Hazelight Studios, the studio behind the exceptional co-op adventures A Way Out and It Takes Two. Like those games, Split Fiction will emphasize the value of unique teamwork throughout its entirely co-op campaign. 

Unlike those games, Split Fiction will explore a far wider variety of genres and gameplay concepts. Based on the idea that two writers have become stuck in their own creations, Split Fiction certainly looks like the most ambitious co-op game from a studio that is in a league of its own in that area. 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: March 20

While its delay left many fans wondering about the state of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we remain optimistic about this latest chapter in the series. In fact, we quite liked our time with a preview build of the game. Read our hands-on impressions here.

As the Assassin’s Creed franchise’s long-awaited trip to feudal Japan, Shadows looks to make good on what many feel is the series’ most promising historical setting. Expectations are certainly high, but Shadows’ fascinating two-protagonist system and enhanced combat, stealth, and traversal mechanics suggest it could offer an ideal blend of classic gameplay with more modern flourishes. 

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: March 20

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since the release of this Nintendo action RPG hit in which you get to explore a dangerous open world on giant mechs known as Skells. As a protector of the last remaining humans who managed to escape before Earth was destroyed, you and your companions are tasked with taming a new alien planet called Mira. Nintendo has confirmed this isn’t just a simple re-release of the 2015 game, though. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will also bring “newly added story elements,” which makes this one worth picking up again!

Tales of the Shire 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC

Release Date: March 25

New cozy game alert! Tales of the Shire is like if Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing took a trip to the Shire of Lord of the Rings. The game lets players live out their dreams of spending time in the idyllic landscape of the Shire as they create their own character, decorate their own Hobbit hole, make friends in the community, and help the town flourish. We played Tales of the Shire at SGF and were impressed with the amount of care put into creating this version of the Shire. Even though the game isn’t technically canon, there are still plenty of references and easter eggs for Lord of the Rings fans to find. 

Atomfall

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Release Date: March 27

Another survival game? In this economy? Yes, though keep in mind that Atomfall has several tricks up its sleeve that instantly make it more appealing than the countless “craft some cheese” genre titles out there. 

Developed by Rebellion, the team behind the exceptional Sniper Elite series, Atomfall places far more emphasis on worldbuilding and storytelling than the average survival title. Set in a fictional version of Northern England following a nuclear disaster, it tasks you with discovering the truth behind this twisted world as you fight to stay alive. Rebellion has suggested that Atomfall is closer to something like BioShock than Rust, which should be enough to excite even the most survival-wary out there. 

APRIL

South of Midnight

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: April 8

Developer Compulsion Games has made quite a name for themselves in recent years. Their previous titles—Compulsion and We Happy Few—were undeniably unique, yet each suggested that the studio’s best work was ahead of them. Well, South of Midnight may very well prove to be the developers’ masterpiece. 

Set in a dark fantasy version of the Deep South, South of Midnight blends several regions of folklore with original creations and sets the whole thing to a rocking Southern soundtrack. It looks and sounds great, but it’s the game’s almost Beyond Good and Evil-esque gameplay that leads us to believe it could be something truly special. 

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4

Release Date: April 21

The popular ’90s fighting game franchise Fatal Fury is back after 26 years with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. With 22 playable characters, including 17 familiar faces from previous games, and 3 different modes of gameplay, there are plenty of options for longtime fans and franchise newcomers alike to have a great time. There’s a single-player RPG mode, Episodes of South Town, as well as online modes that allow you to match with other players or clones generated by automatic AI technology that learns your play style.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: April 24

Developed by the relatively small Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an upcoming turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics that is already looking to be one of the most exciting new games this year. Expedition 33‘s voice cast includes Charlie Cox and Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Jennifer English as two of the six playable characters you can use to build your team, crafting unique builds to fit your playstyle. Set in a world inspired by Bell Époque France, the game is full of hauntingly beautiful visuals that aren’t afraid to hide a little whimsy below the surface. Expedition 33 has an expansive world to explore, and we can’t wait to spend hours looking through every nook and cranny with these characters.

MAY

Doom: The Dark Ages

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Release Date: May 15

With 2016’s Doom and 2020’s Doom Eternal, developer id Software did so much more than bring the grandfather of FPS franchises into the modern age. Those games effectively set a new standard for single-player FPS titles that very few other games have been able to match. 

At worst, Doom: The Dark Ages figures to be a victory lap for a studio making the most audaciously entertaining FPS games on the market. It looks to be so much more than that, though. Dark Ages‘ almost Painkiller-esque weapons, style, and gameplay pacing suggest id has somehow found yet another gear and isn’t taking their foot off the gas as they boldly navigate new territory once again.

OCTOBER

Double Dragon Revive 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Windows PC

Release Date: October 23

Another popular fighting game franchise set to return this year is Double Dragon. This isn’t the first modern-era sequel for this arcade-style beat ’em up franchise, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t excited to see what this game has in store in 2025. With four playable characters, including brothers Jimmy and Billy Lee, modern 3D graphics, and an exhilarating belt-scroll action experience, Double Dragon Revive seems like a fun merge of past and present gaming.

TBA 2025

The Alters

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The Alters tells the story of Jan, a simple miner who crash lands on a hostile planet alone. Tasked with running a mobile base by himself, Jan soon realizes that he can’t do this alone if he’s going to survive. With the help of his ship’s quantum computer and a rare substance found on this planet, Jan is able to create clones of himself based on different life paths he may or may not have chosen in his past. While these clones are versions of him, they are also very different people with their own motivations, goals, and fears—which means that they don’t always get along. It’s a very intriguing premise that makes for a unique sci-fi survival game that we really can’t wait to play.

Borderlands 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The recently revealed—but long-rumored—fourth major Borderlands entry will try to get the series back on track after Borderlands 3 proved to be a somewhat surprising “meh” entry into the largely celebrated franchise. 

However, the surprising success of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and the Borderlands 4 team’s early promise to go bigger and better in every way with this game certainly suggests that they are aware of this franchise’s need to grow (and perhaps change a little bit). 

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4

With a mix of classic 2D and 3D style games, fans of classic Capcom arcade-style games have a lot to look forward to with Capcom Fighting Collection 2. Including titles such as Capcom vs. SNK, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Power Stone, Power Stone 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, and more, this game is perfect for anyone looking to recreate the retro-gaming experience. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 also includes an online play mode that allows you to play casual, ranked, and custom matches with other players across the globe. This game is also very beginner-friendly with training modes as well as adjustable difficulty settings and a customizable button layout that allows for one-button special moves in combat. So even if you aren’t an arcade legend, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Supermassive Games’ Dark Pictures Anthology is back with another immersive horror experience this year. Directive 8020 is the studios’ first foray into full on sci-fi horror, both for the Dark Pictures series and for the studio at large. House of Ashes toed the line between the genres with ancient vampiric aliens as the main source of scares, but the game was very much still grounded on Earth. Directive 8020 follows the crew of the Cassiopeia as they find themselves hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey – very much like The Thing, but actually in space. With Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) as the games’ star, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is going to be an epic and terrifying adventure to play through.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Platforms: PlayStation 5

Love it or hate it (opinions only seem to go one way or the other), Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding remains one of the most fascinating games of the last five years. The first significant project of Kojima’s post-Konami era featured all the eerily accurate social commentary, divisive gameplay, and bombastic storytelling we’ve come to expected from one of gaming’s few true auteurs, and the second installment promises to dive even deeper into the weirdness of this post-apocalyptic world.

Though we know relatively little about Death Stranding 2, the game’s star-studded cast, Kojima’s creative presence, and the original title’s fascinating concepts are enough reasons to consider this one of 2025’s most highly-anticipated new releases. It’s doubtful this sequel will make many efforts to appease those turned off by the original’s methodical gameplay, but Death Stranding 2’s confirmed meditations on the impact of post-COVID society should certainly cause a stir. 

Dune: Awakening 

Platforms: Windows PC

Set on Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the universe, Dune: Awakening is an open world survival MMO where you begin as a prisoner on the planet and must do what you can to survive the harsh, unforgiving landscape. Whether you band together with other players or go at it alone, your path is yours to choose, with a variety of skill specialties to choose from including Swordmaster, Bene Gesserit, Trooper, Mentat, and Planetologist. Dune: Awakening looks to be an exciting expansion of this universe, for both fans and newcomers alike. What we saw of the game last year’s Summer Game Fest certainly left us wanting more.

Dying Light: The Beast 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

After over a decade in captivity, Dying Light hero Kyle Crane escapes into a changed world, though not necessarily for the better. Using not only the survival skills honed in the previous games, but also some new abilities that come from being experimented on, in Dying Light: The Beast, you’ll once again play as Crane as he tries to help the survivors of Castor Woods and keep the ever increasing population of zombies at bay. This survival horror game also has a 4-player co-op feature if you want a little help to make it through the violent, zombie-filled nights.

Elden Ring Nightreign

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One

Few expected FromSoftware to return to Elden Ring so quickly, and nobody expected them to deliver something like Nightreign. This spin-off of the Elden Ring series is essentially a co-op roguelike dungeon crawler with several Elden Ring-flavored twists. Picture Dark Alliance with more Elden Ring-like gameplay and…well, that still doesn’t quite paint the picture. 

Yet, between Nightreign’s pre-set characters, generally lowered difficulty level, and much faster gameplay, it’s hard not to be intrigued by what FromSoftware is cooking. Are they testing the waters for a big new concept, or is this simply a standalone passion project? 

Fable

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The Fable franchise is one of gaming’s oddest beasts. It has historically fallen short of expectations, in large part due to the outrageous promises that have come to define the series’ creator, Peter Molyneux. Yet, those original games also offered a rather unique genre experience that many crave due to a lack of proper alternatives. 

With their reboot of the franchise (sans Molyneux), developer Playground Games looks to recapture the series’ unique charms while inching Fable closer to its full potential. It’s a tall task, but the Fable footage released so far demonstrates Playground’s understanding of the humor and whimsy that have long made Fable one of the most enjoyable fantasy franchises to lose yourself in.

Ghost of Yotei

Platforms: PlayStation 5

With 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, developer Sucker Punch Productions delivered the rare modern open-world title that felt both comfortably familiar and creatively inventive. Ghost of Tsushima didn’t break the genre mold so much as it used its historical setting as the basis of one of the most stunning and engaging open-world experiences this side of a Rockstar Games production. It is also arguably the best samurai title ever made. 

As the standalone sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei obviously won’t be able to ride the wave of surprising delights that helped elevate Tsushima among those who went into it with modest expectations. Yet, the Yotei team’s promise to emphasize an “underdog of vengeance” story and “the romance and beauty of feudal Japan” should be more than enough to get you excited about the opportunity to dive back into this world where every pixel is a painting. 

Grand Theft Auto 6

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Grand Theft Auto 6 may be the most anticipated release in video game history. It’s not just the 10+ years since the release of GTA 5, the absurdly high standards of this series, and the ways GTA has reached even the most casual modern gamers. There’s a strong argument to be made that the success or failure of GTA 6 could alter the fate of an industry that is increasingly dependent on its biggest blockbusters. Well, there is no blockbuster bigger than GTA 6. 

Mind you, we still know relatively little about the game itself. With only one official trailer—and quite a few leaks—to go on, we can tell you that the next Grand Theft Auto will take us to a fictional version of Florida and focus on two lovers on the run from the law. Everything else will be a surprise, it seems. That’s actually kind of nice. Of course, it’d be a lot nicer if we could just finally play the damn game. 

Judas

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

From the creator of BioShock, Judas is a single player narrative FPS set on a disintegrating starship. Playing as the “mysterious and troubled” Judas, you must navigate alliances, fight against foes, and do whatever it takes to escape. Whether you’re a fan of BioShock or just looking for a new and intriguing sci-fi game, Judas is definitely one to keep your eye on this year.

Killing Floor 3 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The co-op action horror FPS franchise that’s fun for your entire squad of friends is back this year with Killing Floor 3. Made with Unreal Engine 5, this next-gen sequel looks to be full of the blood, gore, and heart-pounding action that fans have come to love. Playing as a member of the rebel group Nightfall, you and up to five teammates must fight against waves of zeds (bioengineered zombies) in order to save humanity.

Mafia: The Old Country

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

Developer Hangar 13 gets to continue what they started in the underrated Mafia III with the upcoming Mafia: The Old Country. As the name suggests, this game will take the franchise back to its relative roots (early 1900s Sicily) and serve as a kind of origin story for the series. 

The setting is unique relative to other crime games, and Hangar 13 has already shown that they can maintain and elevate this series’ standard for excellent storytelling, characters, and environments. It’s not ideal that this game is coming out the same year as GTA 6, but Old Country’s likely release date head start and distinct style should help it distinguish itself as a worthwhile alternative. 

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

The relative lack of Marvel games during the MCU era of entertainment was always a shock. Conventional corporate wisdom tells us that we should be swimming in games that adapt and go beyond MCU movies and shows. Yet, we’ve been left with slim pickings so far. Thankfully, Marvel 1943 looks to help fill that considerable void. 

Set in Paris during World War II, this action/adventure game will follow Captain America, Black Panther, and their military allies as they battle Hydra and the Axis forces. On paper, that’s the exact kind of “familiar, yet distinct” approach to Marvel gaming that helped make Insomniac’s Spider-Man titles such a success. 

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

That siren you’ve been hearing is the warning sound that accompanied the announcement of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and has been trailing the game throughout its development. Simply put, the prospect of Konami approving a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater following their infamous split with creator Hideo Kojima felt perilous at best and insulting at worst. 

But the success of 2024’s Silent Hill 2 remake has a lot of people feeling much more excited about this next remake. Granted, they are different games being developed by different studios, but suddenly the prospect of a remake of a beloved Konami game delivering a worthwhile experience without the help of their original creators doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. 

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Given that it was revealed around the time that the Nintendo Switch was released, we once thought that Metroid Prime 4 was going to be one of the titles that Nintendo used to sell people on their strange new hardware. Now, Metroid Prime 4 is poised to be the swan song for one of the most successful gaming devices ever made. Hey, no pressure. 

Yes, it’s surprising that we’ve still seen so little of Metroid Prime 4. After all this time, though, the promise of more Metroid Prime is still enough to leave us impossibly excited about this project. At a time when the Metroidvania genre dominates the indie scene and is the DNA of many modern games, Metroid Prime 4 seems primed to finally earn this series the undeniable sales success it always deserved. 

Ninja Gaiden 4

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

After over a decade since the last mainline game, the Ninja Gaiden series is back this year with Ninja Gaiden 4 currently in active development with Team Ninja. Set in a dark, gritty dystopian Tokyo, Ninja Gaiden 4 follows new protagonist Yakumo, a young ninja prodigy connected to the formidable Master Ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, who is also a playable character in the game. As Yakumo navigates this world and tries to put a stop to the Dark Dragon’s rise, he must also face off against his foes, and Hayabusa to become the ninja the world needs him to be. During the Xbox developer direct showcase, Team Ninja was adamant that this game isn’t just for longtime fans of the series and that they hope it can be an entry point for newcomers as well.

The Outer Worlds 2

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC

As the spiritual sequel to Fallout: New Vegas, 2019’s The Outer Worlds was essentially a dream Obsidian Entertainment RPG. Along with fulfilling quite a few Fallout fantasies, The Outer Worlds proved to be a compelling, enjoyable, genuinely funny, and surprisingly deep sci-fi role-playing experience in its own right.

With The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian has made it clear that they intend to pick up where they left off and simply go bigger with everything. On paper, it’s not the most ambitious goal for a sequel. However, given that you can attribute many of The Outer Worlds’ biggest flaws to its first-draft nature, the team doesn’t have to go too far out of its way to make this one of 2025’s most essential role-playing experiences.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

The Pokémon series has been on a surprisingly rough run in recent years. While they’re as successful as ever, the recent mainline Pokémon games have rightly been criticized for their relative lack of ambition and various technical issues. One of the franchise’s highlights during that era—2022’s Pokémon Legends: Arceus—garnered acclaim for taking the series in a relatively fresh open-world direction. 

Based on what we know, Pokémon Legends: Z-A looks to retain most of Arceus’ core concepts while exploring an era when Pokémon and humans were first learning to co-exist in shared environments. It’s a fantastic setup that also seemingly features the return of the largely beloved Mega Evolutions concept. 

Revenge of the Savage Planet 

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

In this upbeat, satirical sci-fi adventure game, you play as a space explorer fired and abandoned by your corporate employer – because even in space, the cruel hand of capitalism knows no bounds. With few resources and no safety net, you must explore every inch of the planets you visit to collect resources that will help you level up, return to Earth, and get revenge on your greedy corporate overlords. With single player, online co-op, crossplay, and split screen modes at your disposal, you can go at it alone, or team up with a friend to scan as many planets, capture as many creatures, and explore as many terrains as you can. Revenge of the Savage Planet looks like it’ll be a zany, fun time, and we can’t wait to check it out.

The post New Video Game Releases for 2025: Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, PC appeared first on Den of Geek.

Download the PDF report Executive Summary The Survey of Rural Challenges asks rural people to share their ground-level insight into the challenges they face and the assets they can use. This report analyzes over 2200 responses from communities across the US and Canada from 2015 to 2024. The responses show what’s changing and what isn’t […]

Download the PDF report

Executive Summary

The Survey of Rural Challenges asks rural people to share their ground-level insight into the challenges they face and the assets they can use. This report analyzes over 2200 responses from communities across the US and Canada from 2015 to 2024. The responses show what’s changing and what isn’t in small towns and rural places from the point of view of their own people. 

• Persistent challenges: Youth out-migration, downtown decline, workforce shortages and struggles with local business marketing continue to challenge rural communities. 
• Fast-moving concerns: The housing crisis, lack of adequate childcare and lack of support for small businesses have increased as significant rural challenges in recent years.
• Slow-building challenges: Over time, the lack of volunteers, the pressure from online competition on local businesses, and the lack of usable commercial buildings have risen to greater importance. 
• Appreciating assets: The strength of rural communities to address their challenges comes from significant assets, including natural resources, strong social bonds, a spirit of entrepreneurship, a small but dedicated workforce and action on broadband access.
• Demographic shifts: Besides basic population numbers in their communities, rural people noted differences in ages, professions, education and more.
• The external view: Much of this nuance is lost in the external understanding of rural challenges and assets in the media, government, organizations and agencies.

The primary conclusion is that although good ideas are stifled by conflict, negativity and old way thinking, communities that are open to new ideas can thrive. Agencies, organizations, media and policy makers can use these insights to improve how they serve rural people.  

Survey of Rural Challenges Ten-year Trends 

The Survey of Rural Challenges collected input online from rural and small town people. The questions offered multiple-choice options for challenges and open-ended responses about assets, community makeup and anything else they wanted to share about their communities and businesses. The survey was opened for limited time periods, with results shared in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024. This data over time provides a view of the changes in rural communities.  

Authors Becky McCray and Deb Brown analyzed the complete set of over 2200 responses, identifying challenges that have persisted, new fast-moving concerns and some slow building challenges that have risen over time. They also identified rural assets, the internal view of demographic shifts in rural communities, and insight into how the external view differs.  

The primary insight: Good ideas are stifled by conflict, negativity and old way thinking, and towns that are open to new ideas can thrive. 

In all rounds of the survey, open-ended responses were dominated by all kinds of negativity, the stifling influence of the old guard in leadership, and people who tried to slow down any changes. Responses mentioned leaders not moving forward, not acting on suggestions or new ideas, people with a “poor us” attitude, and communities breaking into factions for and against change. Personal agendas, local organizations that don’t work together and infighting hold communities back.

In 2019, one response said:

The old guard had a lot of experience – good & bad – and with new ideas tended to say “we tried something like that once…” and instead of taking what didn’t work & learning from it, crossed it off the list of things to try at all

Facing apathy, resistance to new ideas and focusing too much on the past all inhibit how willing people say they are to keep taking action. People’s initiative becomes “a strength hobbled by a problem,” one response from 2023 said. 

Iowa State University’s Small Town Project showed that openness to new ideas was the factor most correlated to positive outcomes and thriving communities. 

If there is one single thing that can most positively change the trajectory of rural communities, it is to be more open to new ideas. 

Applying the Idea Friendly Method from SaveYour.Town is one way to accomplish this.

Persistent challenges: Youth out-migration, downtown decline, workforce shortages and struggles with local business marketing continue to challenge rural communities. 

Each of the following challenges has remained at or near the top of the multiple choice challenges across all rounds of the survey. In 2021, challenges stemming from the pandemic and economic crisis ranked lower than these persistent challenges. Any rural support that does not consider these top challenges is ignoring critical ongoing needs. 

The loss of young people has consistently been one of the top five challenges. Residents see the annual exodus of high school graduates as representing the loss of their town’s future. Rural residents are not only concerned with retaining young people but also attracting new younger adult residents. 

The decline of downtown areas is another highly visible symbol of changes in rural communities. Shifts in economic realities have changed what businesses are present and the amount of activity in downtowns over most people’s lifetimes. Though more open-ended comments have shown appreciation for their downtown areas’ businesses, buildings and charm, “dead” downtowns continue to rank as a top multiple choice challenge. The lack of investment in downtown infrastructure is also a factor in the need for usable commercial buildings, one of the slow-building challenges.

Small town businesses continue to struggle with effective marketing. Traditional media has declined in rural areas, removing a once-powerful tool for local business marketing. Local business people say the fast moving changes in online marketing have been difficult for them to keep up with and consistently master. 

While workforce challenges are not unique to small towns, rural businesses face the added complication of a smaller labor market to begin with. Employees are often cited as a great asset of rural businesses, even as organizations struggle to hire new people. One person said in 2023, “The biggest challenge is keeping your greatest assets going. I work in health care, and we currently have great staff. However, there are many open positions that cannot be filled.”

Fast-moving concerns: The housing crisis, lack of adequate childcare, and lack of support for small businesses have rapidly increased as significant rural challenges in recent years.

These fast-moving challenges may surprise some observers and some rural residents. The data challenges existing views of small towns formed over decades and calls for quick responses from rural-serving organizations, policy makers and local leaders. 

Rural housing has moved from a key asset to a critical shortage. In 2015 and 2017, housing was barely mentioned in responses. Cheap housing was seen as a small town asset, drawing new residents out of more expensive urban areas. Starting in 2019, housing ranked as a top rural challenge, and it has remained in the top three since then. The increasing cost of housing, declining condition of existing houses, loss of houses through attrition and a lack of new construction were all mentioned. 

The lack of childcare has quickly risen to crisis proportions, made more evident during the pandemic and post-pandemic. Without adequate childcare, responses said people are kept out of the rural workforce and potential new residents are reluctant or unable to move into small communities. Although several people mentioned new housing initiatives in their communities, progress on child care remained elusive. 

The lack of support for small businesses shot to the top of the rankings on the most recent survey. Feelings of not being supported have long been mentioned in responses, but this marked a sudden spike in concern. Business owners talked about unfair incentives offered to recruit outside businesses, as well as the lack of direct support from officials and organizations. 

One person said in 2024, “Chamber of Commerce only cares about the big money businesses/industry and is stuck in the 70’s 80’s way of doing business.” 

Slow-building challenges: Over time, the lack of volunteers, the pressure from online competition on local businesses, and the lack of usable commercial buildings have risen to greater importance. 

Even experienced rural observers may have missed these challenges as they have slowly risen to the top. Current rural programs have not proven effective at stopping this increase. 

The lack of usable commercial buildings frequently surprises outside observers. In 2015 the lack of usable buildings ranked in the middle of the business challenges, ranking about the same as the challenge of finding a small business loan. Since then, the lack of usable buildings has climbed into the top challenges, while the difficulty finding a loan has continued to drop in the rankings. 

The lack of buildings is closely tied to the decline of rural downtowns and the lack of investment in small town infrastructure. It is complicated by individuals who buy buildings, sometimes many buildings in a single community, but do not maintain them or make them available for commercial use. Many are used as cheap storage, either for the remains of a former business or personal items. 

“We have a lot of dilapidated buildings in our downtown, many of which are owned by 2 families who are pack rats and have them filled with junk and garbage,” one 2015 response said. “They never plan to open these as business and it makes our town look terrible.”

Volunteers are seen as strong assets in rural communities, and the lack of volunteers is a growing challenge. Since 2021, lack of volunteers has ranked in the top five challenges, after ranking in the middle on earlier surveys. Responses frequently mentioned the same few volunteers burning out, making it harder to maintain events and organizations. 

Existing volunteers are often described as seniors, retired and “tried and true” people. Younger people are often mentioned as unwilling or uninterested in volunteering. Younger people who try to volunteer say they are ignored, run into inflexible ways of doing things and are assigned “life sentence” volunteer terms. 

Competition from online sales increasingly squeezes local businesses in small towns. Early responses in 2015 and 2017 mentioned big box stores as the key competition. That has shifted to increasing mentions of online competition. This reflects the US Census Bureau reports of e-commerce sales of 7% of total retail sales in 2015, increasing to 16% in 2024. 

“Shopping habits of people have changed, so it’s difficult to get people to come downtown when they can easily shop online,” one response from 2024 said. “I don’t see that reversing any time soon.” 

Appreciating assets: The strength of rural communities to address their challenges comes from significant assets including natural resources, strong social bonds, a spirit of entrepreneurship, a small but dedicated workforce and action on broadband access.

Rather than focus only–or even primarily–on challenges, rural communities benefit from focusing on their wide variety of assets. Services and policies can also be more tailored to rural assets.  

When asked to name their assets, rural people most often point to their natural resources. Easy access to recreation in nature remains a strong draw for rural residents. Survey responses often mention scenic beauty and an appreciation for the unique natural qualities of their area. They also mentioned natural resources as an economic asset, including farming, minerals and mining. 

While much has been written about the strong social bonds of rural areas and small towns, it remains a complex topic. Small towns often have stronger ties between groups who are similar and weaker ties across groups who are different. People mentioned trouble breaking through cliques or small groups, especially those who wield decision-making power. 

One way that the social bonds play a positive role is through people’s sense of connection to the community itself. The sense of connection leads them to focus on solving their own problems and addressing their own challenges. 

One person in 2024 said, “Best assets are nature: the mountains, the trails, outdoor activities. Also welcoming atmosphere, community activities, good elementary school.”

Rural entrepreneurs said they value their relationships with customers and their communities. They often cite their workforce as one of their greatest assets, and they express a challenge in finding enough workers to meet their needs. 

Broadband is shifting from a challenge to an asset. In the early surveys in 2015, through 2019, most mentions of broadband focused on the lack of access. From 2023 and 2024, broadband and fiber access were more often mentioned as assets or that action was being taken to improve it. Only a few mentions of a lack of broadband were made since 2021. There is also a need for supporting broadband adoption and development. 

One 2019 response said, “we have fiber optics broadband but no industry around it – we need shared space and knowledge about marketing our rural community to remote workers and small tech companies.”

Many other assets were mentioned, showing the variety of rural communities today across the US and Canada. 

Demographic shifts: Besides basic population numbers in their communities, rural people noted differences in ages, professions, education and more.

Demographic trends will continue to alter the makeup of rural communities. Outside observers may miss rural people’s nuanced views of differences within individual communities. 

Rural people have a broader view of differences than might be expected, mentioning a wide variety of personal characteristics. The most common differences mentioned were related to race/ethnicity, youth/aging populations, education/skills, business/professions, and cultures/ideas. Gender spectrum and LGBTQIA were also mentioned, as well as income/class, disability, family structure, religion, political views, and military service.

More people described their communities as diverse than not on this survey. Many more people mentioned increasing diversity than mentioned conflict between demographic groups. The most common struggle mentioned was being welcoming to diverse populations. 

The external view: Much of this nuance is lost in the external understanding of rural challenges and assets in the media, government, organizations and agencies.

These disconnects can lead to mis-matched services being offered, missing the real challenges, or over generalizing people, businesses and communities. Overwhelmingly negative stories influence rural self perception.

Crime and drug abuse continue to dominate narratives in external portrayals of rural areas. Rural people consistently rank these at or near the bottom on this survey.

Reporters are commonly dispatched to small communities struck by natural disasters or major economic losses because these are considered newsworthy events. The resulting coverage overrepresents these crises. On the survey results, crises or shocks to the community are seldom mentioned. In the 2021 pandemic-period survey, challenges stemming from the pandemic and economic crisis ranked as less common challenges than the persistent rural challenges. 

Rather than passively waiting for outside businesses or organizations to come to their rescue, rural people report taking action. Even when asked for their challenges, they often start talking about trying solutions.

The stereotype of rural areas lacking culture ignores what rural people on this survey see as a major asset: their events and activities, their arts and artisans, their foods and traditions. Many times, rural communities are depicted as all white, which does not match many real-world communities or rural people’s own views. 

Despite the stereotype of small town businesses as outdated or slow, the survey results show they are innovative, open to new ideas and focused on their customers’ experiences. 

Although rural economic development often centers around jobs, it was one of the least-mentioned challenges in this survey. Good jobs are mentioned at least as often as a lack of jobs. While recruiting outside businesses is a pillar of traditional development, very few responses mention it. Instead, people talked about growing their own small businesses. 

Rural small business owners show little interest in business plan assistance or pitch competitions, yet they remain popular types of assistance offered to rural businesses. On this survey, finding a usable commercial building was a more common challenge than finding a business loan. More small business lending funds are announced every year, yet little is announced to increase the supply of usable commercial buildings in small towns. 

Action steps

Based on these insights into rural communities and small towns, practical steps to take can also be outlined. These action steps come directly from the challenges and assets identified by rural communities themselves.  

Tailor support to specific community concerns and assets. Use this report and the biennial Survey of Rural Challenges results as they become available. Listen to the people in the community before making key decisions. 

For business support, pay more attention to marketing and workforce. Provide more small opportunities for testing business ideas with little investment. Put at least as much or more emphasis on increasing usable buildings than increasing business lending.

Funnel financial resources to improve housing, childcare, downtowns and commercial buildings. Consider classifying these to qualify for economic development funding or moving funding from lower-valued services such as business plan assistance, pitch competitions or small business lending funds. 

Broaden rural media coverage beyond poverty and disasters. Partner with and amplify stories from small town media outlets. Use the challenges and assets in this survey as a jumping off point to collect fresh local news. 

For rural residents and small town leaders, be more open to new ideas and adopt the Idea Friendly Method to spur local innovations. 

Participants’ own words 

These quotes come directly from open-ended responses to the survey. Emphasis has been added, and some have been edited for length and clarity. Minor grammatical errors and idiosyncrasies were left in place. 

Apathy and Old Way Thinking

• “Apathy is hard to overcome! There has to be a way and I’d love to hear how changes can be made to encourage pride in a small city with no extra funds.” (2024)

• “I’d love to hear about how other small towns have helped their community leaders get over the fear of failure. It has certainly hindered growth and development in our community. How do we best encourage people to take more risks? Be more creative with spaces?” (2015)

Small Business Needs

• “Small businesses need financial resources and business advisors. Most things are only available to those who run a non-profit.” (2024)
• “What isn’t working are the traditional approaches to economic development, rather than a strategy that focuses on ‘growing our own’ and entrepreneurship and small business development.” (2021)
• “[Online marketing] changes so fast & there’s so much technical jargon for SEO/ websites/mobile that I end up feeling stupid and end up ignoring it all. (2015)

Housing 

• “I think we would have more young people live here if there were housing available.” (2021)
• “City officials keep shooting down low & medium income housing & new apartment buildings.“ (2015)

Welcoming

• “I wish members of the community would be more inclusive of residents who wish to participate in improvements, committees, and working toward more positive change in our community. Sometimes it feels like high school.” (2024)
• “There’s been a historical lack of diversity and little respect for people who don’t fit the norm. But I have hope that with increasing numbers of younger folks and more general awareness of the importance of diversity and equity that we’ll turn the corner.” (2021)

Using Assets  

• “Covid helped the county take a better look in the mirror and realize status quo isn’t working anymore. …The quarterly meetings with our schools and businesses has been communicatively amazing in taking our county up several notches in employee training … entrepreneurship development, career center and community college involvement and basically training our students to think local first in employment and purchasing. Wins all around. The progress has led to some local and county elected official changes to younger forward thinking members. Still work to be done but the tide has turned to rising here raising us all.” (2024)
• “…We are in the process of revamping our Chamber of Commerce and moving to a more Regional model. We are also starting to look at things like development through arts & culture” (2019)
• “….we’re an abundant community… food, skills, culture wise etc …How do we access that abundance” (2015)

Success with Challenges 

• “In a community survey from 2020-21, Affordable housing, access and affordability to child care, and expanding Broadband were three of the top issues residents identified. The County and region has been making meaningful progress toward housing and Broadband, but childcare remains elusive..” (2024)
• “I do think we are lucky to have people who care and are willing to work together to achieve great things. We just maybe haven’t been able to find ways to promote what we have here. It might be that we are unsure of exactly what our assets are.”  (2019)

Optimistic Future

• “Just that we are trying to rebuild after Covid and are taking small steps to working towards our new goals..” (2024)
• “A group of progressive minded “young” (30 to 55) leaders have joined together to celebrate what is right about our community and to make some fun things happen.” (2019)

• “We’re at a crossroads here with the challenges to the Old Way by many new people moving in to be a part of an industry the Old Guard doesn’t understand.   However, there are some bright spots on Main Street, and we are optimistic about the future.  :).” (2024)

Methodology

This report was written by Becky McCray and Deb Brown, the co-founders of SaveYour.Town. It is based on analysis of all six rounds of the Survey of Rural Challenges conducted between 2015 and 2024. The survey data provides insights into the evolving challenges, assets, and perceptions of people in rural communities and small town businesses. Reports of survey results including the complete text of each round of survey questions are available at  

The survey is a project of SaveYour.Town and SmallBizSurvival.com, and it is typically open for responses every other year. Participants came primarily from the US and Canada, with a few from other countries including Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. Between 2015 and 2024, over 2200 responses to the survey have been received. 

Responses were collected online from subscribers and visitors to SaveYour.Town and SmallBizSurvival.com, from media coverage and cooperating groups that publicized the survey. Respondents identified themselves as rural by completing the survey, and a portion identified themselves as business owners by responding to the business question. 

Based on survey responses and SaveYour.Town’s customer data, most respondents serve as community leaders and officials, work in community and economic development, own a business, work in a community-oriented business, or volunteer informally in their community. 

About the authors and organizations 

About SaveYour.Town

SaveYour.Town believes small towns can be saved by their own people using their existing assets. Deb Brown and Becky McCray joined forces in May 2015 to help small towns and rural communities thrive. They specialize in low or no cost solutions, ones that will work in even the tiniest of towns. Becky and Deb deliver presentations internationally, lead site visits and community brainstorming sessions, and create online videos and short courses of practical steps that can be put into action right away. They are frequently featured as rural experts on podcasts and in media interviews. 

About Small Biz Survival

SmallBizSurvival.com publishes practical articles for rural small businesses. It was founded in January 2006 by Becky McCray from Oklahoma and has published over 3,000 posts by a dozen expert authors. Over the years, it has achieved top ranking among small business blogs. For her work as publisher, McCray has been named one of the Power Players in Technology Business Media and a Small Business Influencer Journalist four times.

About Becky McCray

Becky McCray is a lifelong rural entrepreneur, cattle rancher and co-founder of SaveYour.Town. She created the Survey of Rural Challenges in 2015. As an expert on rural communities, she often collaborates on rural publications, initiatives, advisory boards, listening sessions and advocacy events including Oklahoma State University’s Rural Renewal Initiative, American Independent Business Alliance campaigns, and the Harvard Kennedy School’s Reimagining the Economy Project.

In 2013, Becky and Chicago author Barry Moltz wrote the award-winning book Small Town Rules, published by Que BizTech. She has presented at more than 300 rural and small town events in the US, Canada, UK and Australia, including Main Street America, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and TEDx. She makes her home in Hopeton, Oklahoma, a community of 30 people. 

About Deb Brown

Deb Brown is a dynamic small-town advocate and community development expert with a wealth of experience helping rural communities. As the co-founder of SaveYour.Town, she has been working alongside Becky McCray for a decade, providing practical advice and innovative solutions to shape brighter futures for small towns.

Deb excels at building connections, storytelling, and active listening. Drawing on skills she developed through chamber of commerce work, a variety of business and management experience, and her love of small towns, she guides people in taking small steps toward their ideas and helps them find the resources and connections needed to bring those ideas to fruition. Deb has helped communities address challenges like empty buildings, loss of residents, downtown rejuvenation, creating economic growth, and marketing and promotion. 

Deb developed stories from the rural communities she has worked with and wrote a book, “From Possibilities to Reality: Save Your Small Town with these Uniquely Do-able Ideas, Projects, and Success Stories.” It is a comprehensive workbook filled with practical strategies and real-world examples for small-town revitalization. 

Download the PDF report

Survey Results and News Room: 

For more info contact

• Becky McCray becky@smallbizsurvival.com
• Deb Brown deb@saveyour.town

Keywords and classification:

• Survey of Rural Challenges
• Rural surveys and polls 
• What rural people need and want
• What a small town needs 
• Rural people needs and wants 
• Rural challenges
• Small town issues
• Urban-rural divide
• Rural policy 
• Diversity in rural communities
• Diverse small towns
• Rural assistance programs
  

We concur that computer-generated heads may be excellent candidates for personas, but not for the purpose you might think otherwise. Ironically, the website highlights the core issue of this very common design method: the person ( a ) does not exist. Personas are deliberately created, just like in the photos. Knowledge is combined into a sporadic, unreliable snapshot that is taken out of context.

But strangely enough, manufacturers use personalities to encourage their style for the real world.

A step up, identities

Most manufacturers have at least once in their careers created, used, or encountered identities. In their content” Personas- A Plain Introduction”, the Interaction Design Foundation defines profile as “fictional characters, which you create based upon your study in order to reflect the unique user types that might use your service, product, site, or brand”. Personas typically consist of a name, profile picture, quotes, demographics, goals, needs, behavior in relation to a particular service/product, emotions, and motivations ( for example, see Creative Companion’s Persona Core Poster ). According to design firm Designit, the goal of personas is” to make the research relatable, ]and ] easy to communicate, digest, reference, and apply to product and service development.”

The decontextualization of personalities

People are well-known because they make “dry” research information relevant and more people. However, this approach places a cap on the author’s data analysis, making it impossible for the investigated users to be excluded from their particular contexts. As a result, personalities don’t describe important factors that make you realize their decision-making method or allow you to connect to users ‘ thoughts and behavior, they lack stories. You are aware of the persona’s actions, but you lack the history knowledge to understand why. You end up with less human-like user images.

This “decontextualization” we see in identities happens in four way, which we’ll discuss below.

People are assumed to be stable, according to individuals.

Here’s a painfully obvious truth: people are not a fixed set of features, despite the fact that many businesses still try to recruit and retain their employees and customers using outdated personality tests ( referring to you, Myers-Briggs ). You act, think, and feel different according to the situations you experience. You may work pleasant to some people, or you might act rude to others because you appear distinct to different people. And you constantly change your mind about the choices you’ve made.

Modern psychology agree that while persons usually behave according to certain styles, it’s actually a combination of history and culture that determines how people act and take decisions. The context determines the kind of person you are at each particular time, including the environment, the effect of other persons, your mood, and the whole history that led up to a situation.

Personas do not account for this variability in their attempt to simplify reality; instead, they present a user as a set of features. Like personality tests, personas snatch people away from real life. Even worse, people are labeled as” that kind of person” with no means to exercise their natural flexibility. This behavior defies stereotypes, diminishes diversity, and doesn’t reflect reality.

Personas focus on individuals, not the environment

In the real world, you’re creating content for a situation, not an individual. There are environmental, political, and social factors to consider when a person lives in a family, a community, or an ecosystem. A design is never meant for a single user. Instead, you create a product that is intended to be used by a certain number of people. However, personas do not explicitly describe how the user interacts with the environment but rather show the user alone.

Would you always make the same decision over and over again? Possibly you’ve made a commitment to veganism but still want to buy some meat when your relatives visit. Your decisions, including your behavior, opinions, and statements, are not only completely accurate but highly contextual because they vary with various circumstances and variables. The persona that “represents” you wouldn’t take into account this dependency, because it doesn’t specify the premises of your decisions. It doesn’t offer a justification for why you act in the way you do. People practice the well-known attribution error, which states that they too often attribute others ‘ behavior to their personalities and not to the circumstances.

As mentioned by the Interaction Design Foundation, personas are usually placed in a scenario that’s a” specific context with a problem they want to or have to solve “—does that mean context actually is considered? Unfortunately, what frequently occurs is that you choose a fictional character to play with a particular circumstance based on the fiction. How could you possibly comprehend how someone you want to represent behave in new circumstances given that you haven’t even fully investigated and understood the current context of the people you want to represent?

Personas are meaningless averages

A persona is depicted as a specific person but is not a real person, as stated in Shlomo Goltz’s introduction article on Smashing Magazine; rather, it is synthesized from observations of many people. The famous example of the USA Air Force designing planes based on the average of 140 of their pilots ‘ physical dimensions and not a single pilot actually fit within that average seat is a well-known criticism of this aspect of personas.

The same limitation applies to mental aspects of people. Have you ever heard a famous person say something was taken out of context? They uttered my words, but I didn’t mean it that way. The celebrity’s statement was reported literally, but the reporter failed to explain the context around the statement and didn’t describe the non-verbal expressions. In the end, the intended meaning was lost. You do the same when you create personas: you collect someone’s statement ( or goal, or need, or emotion ), whose meaning can only be understood if you give its own particular context, and then report it as an isolated finding.

But personas go a step further, extracting a decontextualized finding and joining it with another decontextualized finding from somebody else. The resultant set of findings frequently does not make sense because it is unclear or even contradictory because it lacks the underlying causes for and how that finding came about. It lacks any significance. And the persona doesn’t give you the full background of the person ( s ) to uncover this meaning: you would need to dive into the raw data for each single persona item to find it. What then is the persona’s purposeful purpose?

The validity of personas is deceiving.

To a certain extent, designers realize that a persona is a lifeless average. To combat this, designers create and add “relatable” details to personas to make them appear to be real people. Nothing better captures the absurdity of this than a phrase from the Interaction Design Foundation:” Add a few fictional personal details to make the persona a realistic character.” In other words, you add non-realism in an attempt to create more realism. Wouldn’t it be much more responsible to emphasize that John is only an abstraction while deliberately obscuring the fact that” John Doe” is an abstract representation of research findings? Let’s say something is artificial, and let’s say it’s that.

It’s the finishing touch of a persona’s decontextualization: after having assumed that people’s personalities are fixed, dismissed the importance of their environment, and hidden meaning by joining isolated, non-generalizable findings, designers invent new context to create ( their own ) meaning. As with everything they produce, they do so by introducing a lot of biases. As Designit suggests, as designers, we can” contextualize]the persona” based on our experience and reality. We create connections that are familiar to us“. With each new detail added, this practice furthers stereotypes, doesn’t reflect real-world diversity, and takes people’s actual reality even further.

To conduct effective design research, we must report the actual situation and make it relatable for our audience, so that everyone can use their own empathy and develop their own interpretation and emotional response.

Dynamic Selves: The alternative to personas

What should we do instead of using personas?

Designit suggests using mindsets rather than personas. Each Mindset is a” spectrum of attitudes and emotional responses that different people have within the same context or life experience”. It challenges designers to avoid becoming fixated on just one person’s way of life. Unfortunately, despite being a step in the right direction, this proposal disregards the fact that people are a part of a system that controls their behavior, personality, and mindset. Therefore, Mindsets are also not absolute but change in regard to the situation. What determines a certain Mindset, is the question still unanswered.

Margaret P., the author of the article” Kill Your Personas,” who has argued for replacing personas with persona spectrums that include a range of user abilities, offers another alternative. For example, a visual impairment could be permanent ( blindness ), temporary ( recovery from eye surgery ), or situational (screen glare ). Because they are based on the idea that the context is the pattern, not the personality ,ersona spectrums are very useful for more inclusive and context-based design. However, their only drawback is that they have a very functional perspective on users that misses the relatability of a real person viewed from within a spectrum.

In developing an alternative to personas, we aim to transform the standard design process to be context-based. Similar to how we previously dealt with people, contexts are generalizable and have patterns that we can identify. So how do we learn these patterns? How do we ensure truly context-based design?

Understand real people in a variety of contexts

Nothing about reality can be more relatable and inspiring. Therefore, we have to understand real individuals in their multi-faceted contexts, and use this understanding to fuel our design. We refer to this method as Dynamic Selves.

Let’s take a look at how the approach looks based on an illustration from a recent study that examined Italians ‘ habits around energy consumption. We drafted a design research plan aimed at investigating people’s attitudes toward energy consumption and sustainable behavior, with a focus on smart thermostats.

1. Select the appropriate sample.

When we argue against personas, we’re often challenged with quotes such as” Where are you going to find a single person that encapsulates all the information from one of these advanced personas]? ]” You don’t need to, which is the simple answer. You don’t need to know a lot about everyone to have deep and meaningful insights.

In qualitative research, validity does not derive from quantity but from accurate sampling. You choose the individuals who best fit the “population” you’re designing for. You can infer how the rest of the population thinks and acts if this sample is chosen wisely and you have a deep understanding of the sampled people. There’s no need to study seven Susans and five Yuriys, one of each will do.

In the same way, you don’t need to comprehend Susan in fifteen different ways. Once you’ve seen her in a few different settings, you’ve come to understand how Susan responds to various circumstances. Not Susan as an atomic being but Susan in relation to the surrounding environment: how she might act, feel, and think in different situations.

It becomes clear why each should be represented as an individual because each is already an abstraction of a larger group of individuals in similar circumstances because each person is representative of a portion of the total population you’re researching. You don’t want to see abstracts of them! These selected people need to be understood and shown in their full expression, remaining in their microcosmos—and if you want to identify patterns you can focus on identifying patterns in contexts.

However, the question remains: how do you select a sample representative? First, you must consider the target market for the product or service you are designing. It might be helpful to examine the company’s objectives and strategy, the current customer base, and/or a potential future target audience.

In our example project, we were designing an application for those who own a smart thermostat. Everyone in their home could have a smart thermostat in the future. However, only early adopters currently own one. To build a significant sample, we needed to understand the reason why these early adopters became such. We therefore recruited by enticing people to explain why and how they obtained a smart thermostat. There were those who had made the decision to purchase it, those who had been influenced by others to do so, and those who had located it in their homes. So we selected representatives of these three situations, from different age groups and geographical locations, with an equal balance of tech savvy and non-tech savvy participants.

2. Conduct your research

After having chosen and recruited your sample, conduct your research using ethnographic methodologies. This will give you more examples and anecdotes to enrich your qualitative data. Given COVID-19 restrictions, we turned an internal ethnographic research project into home-based remote family interviews that were followed by diary research in our example project.

To gain an in-depth understanding of attitudes and decision-making trade-offs, the research focus was not limited to the interviewee alone but deliberately included the whole family. With the additions or corrections made by wives, husbands, children, or occasionally even pets, each interviewee would tell a story that would then become much more engaging and precise. We also paid attention to the behaviors that came from having relationships with other meaningful people ( such as coworkers or distant relatives ) and the relationships that came from those relationships. This wide research focus allowed us to shape a vivid mental image of dynamic situations with multiple actors.

It’s crucial that the research’s scope remain broad enough to cover all potential actors. Therefore, broad research areas with broad questions are typically best defined. Interviews are best set up in a semi-structured way, where follow-up questions will dive into topics mentioned spontaneously by the interviewee. The most insightful findings will be made with this open-minded “plan to be surprised.” One of our participants responded,” My wife doesn’t have the thermostat’s app installed; she uses WhatsApp instead,” when we asked how his family controlled the temperature in the house. If she wants to turn on the heater and she is not home, she will text me. I serve as her thermostat.

3. Analysis: Create the Dynamic Selves

You begin to represent each individual with several Dynamic Selves, each” Self” representing one of the circumstances you have examined throughout the research analysis. A quote serves as the foundation of each Dynamic Self, which is supported by a photo and a few relevant demographics that serve as examples of the larger picture. The research findings themselves will show which demographics are relevant to show. The important demographics were family type, number and type of houses owned, economic status, and technological maturity in our case because our research focused on families and their way of life to understand their needs for thermal regulation. To facilitate the stakeholders ‘ transition from personas and be able to connect multiple actions and contexts to the same person, we also included the individual’s name and age, but they are optional.

To capture exact quotes, interviews need to be video-recorded and notes need to be taken verbatim as much as possible. This is crucial to ensuring that each participant’s various selves are truthful. Photos of the setting and anonymized actors are necessary to create realistic Selves in the case of real-life ethnographic research. Ideally, these photos should come directly from field research, but an evocative and representative image will work, too, as long as it’s realistic and depicts meaningful actions that you associate with your participants. One of our interviewees, for instance, shared a story of how he used to spend weekends with his family in his mountain home. We depicted him hiking with his young daughter as a result.

At the end of the research analysis, we displayed all of the Selves ‘” cards” on a single canvas, categorized by activities. Each card featured a situation, which was indicated by a quote and a distinctive image. Each participant had several cards about themselves.

4. Identify creative uses

You will start to notice patterns once you have taken all of the main quotes from the interview transcripts and diaries and written them down as self-cards. These patterns will highlight the opportunity areas for new product creation, new functionalities, and new services—for new design.

There was a particularly intriguing insight around the concept of humidity in our example project. We became aware of the importance of monitoring humidity for health and that people don’t know what it is because an environment that’s too dry or wet can cause respiratory problems or worsen already existing ones. This highlighted a big opportunity for our client to educate users on this concept and become a health advisor.

Benefits of Dynamic Selves

People are surrounded by changing environments, peculiar situations that people face, and the actions that follow when using the Dynamic Selves approach for research. In our thermostat project, we have come to know one of the participants, Davide, as a boyfriend, dog-lover, and tech enthusiast.

Davide is a person we might have once consigned to the persona of a “tech enthusiast.” However, there are also those who are wealthy or poor, who are tech enthusiasts and have families or are single. Their motivations and priorities when deciding to purchase a new thermostat can be opposite according to these different frames.

Once you have fully grasped the underlying causes of Davide’s behavior and have understood them in detail, you can then generalize how he would act in a different circumstance. You can infer what he would think and do in the circumstances ( or scenarios ) you design for using your understanding of him.

The Dynamic Selves approach aims to dismiss the conflicted dual purpose of personas—to summarize and empathize at the same time—by separating your research summary from the people you’re seeking to empathize with. This is crucial because scale affects how we feel about people and how difficult it is to feel empathy for others. We have the deepest sympathy for people who are able to relate to us.

If you take a real person as inspiration for your design, you no longer need to create an artificial character. No more developing plot devices to “realize” the character, and no more need for additional bias. Simply put, this is how they are in real life. In fact, in our experience, personas quickly become nothing more than a name in our priority guides and prototype screens, as we all know that these characters don’t really exist.

Another important benefit of Dynamic Selves is that it raises the stakes of your work: someone you and the team know and have met will experience the consequences if you violate your design. It might prompt you to perform daily design checks and may prevent you from taking shortcuts.

And finally, real people in their specific contexts are a better basis for anecdotal storytelling and therefore are more effective in persuasion. To obtain this result, it is crucial to document real research. It reinforces your design arguments by adding more weight and urgency:” When I met Alessandra, the conditions of her workplace struck me. Noise, bad ergonomics, lack of light, you name it. I’m afraid that if we choose to use this functionality, we’ll add complexity to her life.

Conclusion

In their article on Mindsets, Designit mentioned that “design thinking tools provide a shortcut to deal with reality’s complexities, but this process of simplification can occasionally flatten out people’s lives into a few general characteristics.” Unfortunately, personas have been culprits in a crime of oversimplification. They fail to account for the complex nature of our users ‘ decision-making processes and don’t take into account the fact that people are immersed in environments.

Design needs to be simplified, but not to be a generalization. You have to look at the research elements that stand out: the sentences that captured your attention, the images that struck you, the sounds that linger. Use those to characterize the person in all of their contexts, and portray them. People and insights both come with a context, but they cannot be removed because it would detract from the context’s meaning.

It’s high time for design to move away from fiction, and embrace reality—in its messy, surprising, and unquantifiable beauty—as our guide and inspiration.