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.

I am a innovative. What I do is alchemy. It is a secret. Instead of letting it get done by me, I do it.

I am a artistic. This brand is never appropriate for all creatives. No everyone see themselves in this manner. Some innovative persons incorporate technology into their work. That is their reality, and I respect it. Sometimes I even envy them, a minor. But my approach is different—my becoming is unique.

Apologizing and qualifying in advance is a diversion. My mind uses that to destroy me. I put it off for the moment. I may forgive and be qualified at any time. After I’ve said what I should have. Which is challenging enough.

Except when it is simple and flows like a beverage valley.

Sometimes it does go that approach. Maybe what I need to make arrives in a flash. I’ve learned to avoid saying it right away because people think you don’t work hard enough when you know it’s the best idea when you’re on the go and you know it’s the best idea.

Maybe I just work until the thought strikes me. Maybe it arrives right away and I don’t remind people for three days. Often I blurt out the plan so quickly that I didn’t stop myself. like a child who discovered a medal in one of his Cracker Jacks. I occasionally manage to get away with this. Maybe another persons agree: yes, that is the best idea. Most days they don’t and I regret having given way to joy.

Passion should only be saved for the meet, when it will matter. Certainly the informal get-together that comes before that meeting with two more meetings. Anyone knows why we have all these discussions. We keep saying we’re going to get rid of them, but we just keep trying to find different ways to get them. They occasionally yet excel. But occasionally they detract from the actual job. The percentages between when conferences are important, and when they are a sad distraction, vary, depending on what you do and where you do it. also who you are and what you do. Suddenly I digress. I am a artistic. That is the style.

Sometimes, despite many hours of diligent effort, someone is hardly useful. Often I have to accept that and move on to the next task.

Don’t question about approach. I am a artistic.

I am a innovative. I don’t handle my goals. And I don’t handle my best tips.

I can nail apart, surround myself with information or photos, and maybe that works. I can go for a walk, and occasionally that functions. There is no connection between sizzling fuel and bubbling pots, and I may be making dinner. I frequently have a plan for action when I wake up. The idea that may have saved me disappears almost as frequently as I become aware and a part of the world once more as a thoughtless wind of oblivion. For ingenuity, I believe, comes from that other world. The one we enter in aspirations, and possibly, before conception and after death. But that’s for writers to know, and I am not a writer. I am a artistic. Theologians should circulate large armies throughout their artistic globe, which they claim to be true. But that is another diversion. And it’s miserable. Possibly on a much bigger issue than whether or not I am creative. But this is still a departure from what I said when I came around.

Often the process is mitigation. And horror. You know the cliché about the tortured designer? It’s true, even when the artist ( and let’s put that noun in quotes ) is trying to write a soft drink jingle, a callback in a tired sitcom, a budget request.

Some individuals who detest being called artistic perhaps been closeted artists, but that’s between them and their gods. No offence meant. Your wisdom is correct, too. But I should take care of me.

Creatives understand creatives.

Disadvantages are aware of cons, just like queers are aware of queers, just like real rappers are aware of actual rappers are aware of cons. Creatives feel enormous regard for creatives. We love, respect, emulate, and nearly deify the excellent ones. To revere any man is, of course, a horrible mistake. We have been warned. We know much. We know people are really people. They dispute, they are depressed, they regret their most critical decisions, they are weak and thirsty, they can be cruel, they can be just as terrible as we can, if, like us, they are clay. But. But. However, they produce this incredible issue. They give birth to something that may not occur without them and did not exist before them. They are thought’s founders. And I suppose, since it’s only lying it, I have to put that they are the mother of technology. Ba ho backside! Okay, that’s done. Continue.

Creatives disparage our personal small successes, because we compare them to those of the wonderful people. Wonderful video! Also, I‘m no Miyazaki. Now THAT is brilliance. That is glory straight out of the mouth of God. This half-starved small item that I made? It essentially fell off the back of the pumpkin vehicle. And the carrots weren’t even new.

Creatives knows that, at best, they are Salieri. Also Mozart’s original artists hold that opinion.

I am a artistic. I haven’t worked in advertising in 30 years, but in my hallucinations, it’s my previous artistic managers who judge me. They are correct in doing so. I am very lazy, overly simplistic, and when it actually counts, my mind goes blank. There is no medication for artistic function.

I am a artistic. Every experience I create has the potential to make Indiana Jones look older while snoring in a deck head. The more I pursue creativity, the faster I can finish my work, and the longer I brood and circle and gaze blankly before I can finish that work.

I can move ten times more quickly than those who aren’t innovative, those who have only had a short-cut of creativity, and those who have just had a short-cut of creativity for work. Only that I spend twice as long as they do putting the job away before I work ten times as quickly as they do. When I put my mind to it, I am so confident in my ability to do a wonderful career. I am that attached to the excitement scramble of delay. I’m still so frightened of jumping.

I am not an actor.

I am a artistic. No an actor. Though I dreamed, as a child, of eventually being that. Some of us fear and criticize our talents because we are not Michelangelos and Warhols. That is narcissism—but at least we aren’t in elections.

I am a innovative. Though I believe in reason and science, I decide by intelligence and urge. And sit with what follows—the disasters as well as the achievements.

I am a artistic. Every term I’ve said these may offend another artists, who see things differently. Ask two artists a problem, get three ideas. Our dispute, our enthusiasm about it, and our responsibility to our own reality are, at least to me, the facts that we are artists, no matter how we may think about it.

I am a artistic. I lament my lack of taste in almost all of the areas of human understanding that I know very little about. And I trust my preference above all other items in the regions closest to my soul, or perhaps, more precisely, to my passions. Without my passions, I’d probably have to spend the majority of our time looking ourselves in the eye, which is something that almost none of us can do for very long. No seriously. No really. Because many in existence, if you really look at it, is terrible.

I am a innovative. I believe, as a family believes, that when I am gone, some little good part of me will take on in the head of at least one other people.

Working frees me from worrying about my job.

I am a artistic. I worry that my little present will disappear unexpectedly.

I am a artistic. I spend way too much time making the next thing, given that almost nothing I create did achieve the level of brilliance I conceive of.

I am a innovative. I think approach is the most amazing mystery. I think so strongly that I am actually foolish enough to post an essay I wrote into a small machine without having to go through or edit it. I didn’t do this generally, I promise. But I did it right away because I was even more scared of forgetting what I was saying because I was as worried as I might be of you seeing through my sad gestures toward the gorgeous.

There. I think I’ve said it.

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.

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

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 […]

The post Fantastic Four First Steps Trailer Breakdown: Galactus, New Costumes, and Red Ghost?! 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.

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 […]

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.

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

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 […]

The post The Energy of the 2025 Royal Rumble Was Unmatched 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.

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.

One of the most powerful sweet skills we have at our disposal is the ability to work together to improve our designs while developing our own abilities and perspectives, regardless of how it is used or what it might be called.

Feedback is also one of the most underestimated equipment, and generally by assuming that we’re already good at it, we settle, forgetting that it’s a talent that can be trained, grown, and improved. Bad comments can lead to conflict on projects, lower confidence, and long-term, undermine trust and teamwork. Quality opinions can be a revolutionary force.

Practicing our knowledge is absolutely a good way to enhance, but the learning gets yet faster when it’s paired with a good base that programs and focuses the exercise. What are some fundamental components of providing effective opinions? And how can input be changed for workplaces where workers are located and distributed?

On the web, we may discover a long history of sequential suggestions: from the early weeks of open source, script was shared and discussed on email addresses. Developers and sprint masters discuss draw requests, designers make comments on their beloved design tools, and other things.

Design criticism is frequently used as a term for a type of collaborative suggestions that is provided to improve our work. So it shares a lot of the rules with comments in public, but it also has some variations.

The information

The material of the feedback serves as the foundation for all effective critiques, so we need to begin there. There are many designs that you can use to form your content. This one from Lara Hogan is the one I privately like best because it’s simple and actionable.

This formula is typically used to provide feedback to people, but it also fits really well in a style criticism because it finally addresses one of the main inquiries that we work on: What? Where? Why? How? Imagine that you’re giving some comments about some pattern function that spans several screens, like an onboard movement: there are some pages shown, a circulation blueprint, and an outline of the decisions made. You notice a flaw in the situation. You’ll have a mental model that can help you be more precise and effective if you keep the three components of the equation in mind.

Here is a comment that could be given as a part of some feedback, and it might look reasonable at a first glance: it seems to superficially fulfill the elements in the equation. But does it exist?

Not sure about the hierarchy and styles of the buttons; it seems off. Can you change them?

Observation for design feedback also refers to providing a perspective that is as specific as possible, not just by pointing out which portion of the interface your feedback refers to. Do you offer the user’s viewpoint? Your expert perspective? From a business perspective? From the perspective of the project manager? A first-time user’s perspective?

When I see these two buttons, I anticipate one to go forward and the other to go back.

The why is the focus. Just pointing out a UI element might sometimes be enough if the issue may be obvious, but more often than not, you should add an explanation of what you’re pointing out.

When I see these two buttons, I anticipate one to go forward and the other to go back. But this is the only screen where this happens, as before we just used a single button and an “×” to close. This seems to be breaking the consistency in the flow.

The question approach is intended to give the designer some open guidance by provoking the designer’s critical thinking when they receive the feedback. Notably, Lara’s equation includes a second approach: request, which instead provides instructions for a particular solution. While that’s a viable option for feedback in general, for design critiques, in my experience, defaulting to the question approach usually reaches the best solutions because designers are generally more comfortable in being given an open space to explore.

For the question approach, consider the difference between the two:

When I see these two buttons, I anticipate one to go forward and the other to go back. But this is the only screen where this happens, as before we just used a single button and an “×” to close. This seems to be breaking the consistency in the flow. Would it make sense to unify them?

Or, for the request approach:

When I see these two buttons, I anticipate one to go forward and the other to go back. But this is the only screen where this happens, as before we just used a single button and an “×” to close. This seems to be breaking the consistency in the flow. Let’s make sure that all screens have the same pair of forward and back buttons.

In some situations, it might be helpful to include an additional reason why you think the suggestion is better at this point.

When I see these two buttons, I anticipate one to go forward and the other to go back. But this is the only screen where this happens, as before we just used a single button and an “×” to close. This seems to be breaking the consistency in the flow. Let’s make sure that all screens have the same two forward and back buttons so that users don’t get confused.

Choosing between the request and question approaches can occasionally be influenced by one’s personal preferences. I spent a while working on improving my feedback, conducting anonymous feedback reviews and sharing feedback with others. After a few rounds of this work and a year later, I got a positive response: my feedback came across as effective and grounded. until I switched teams. Surprise surprise, one particular person gave me a lot of negative feedback. The reason is that I had previously tried not to be prescriptive in my advice—because the people who I was previously working with preferred the open-ended question format over the request style of suggestions. However, there was a member of this other team who preferred specific guidance. So I changed my feedback so that it included requests.

One comment that I heard come up a few times is that this kind of feedback is quite long, and it doesn’t seem very efficient. Yes, but no. Let’s look at both sides.

No, this style of feedback is actually efficient because the length here is a byproduct of clarity, and spending time giving this kind of feedback can provide exactly enough information for a good fix. Additionally, it can reduce misunderstandings and back-and-forth conversations in the future, boosting overall collaboration’s effectiveness and efficiency beyond the single comment. Consider the following example:” Let’s make sure that all screens have the same two forward and back buttons” instead. The designer receiving this feedback wouldn’t have much to go by, so they might just apply the change. The interface might change in later iterations or new features might be introduced, and perhaps the change won’t make sense anymore. Without explaining the why, the designer might assume that the change is one of consistency, but what if it wasn’t? So there could now be an underlying concern that changing the buttons would be perceived as a regression.

Yes, this type of feedback is not always effective because some comments don’t always need to be thorough, some times because some changes are made because they don’t always follow our instructions, and others because the team may have extensive internal knowledge, which makes some of the whys possible be implied.

Therefore, the equation above is intended to serve as a mnemonic to reflect and enhance the practice rather than a strict template for feedback. Even after years of active work on my critiques, I still from time to time go back to this formula and reflect on whether what I just wrote is effective.

The atmosphere

Feedback forms the basis for well-developed content, but that’s not really enough. The soft skills of the person who’s providing the critique can multiply the likelihood that the feedback will be well received and understood. It has been demonstrated that only positive feedback can lead to lasting change in people, and tone alone can determine whether content is rejected or welcomed.

Tone is crucial to work on because our goal is to be understood and create a positive working environment. Over the years, I’ve tried to summarize the required soft skills in a formula that mirrors the one for content: the receptivity equation.

Respectful feedback comes across as grounded, solid, and constructive. It’s the kind of feedback that, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative, is viewed as useful and fair.

Timing refers to when the feedback happens. If given at the wrong time, to-the-point feedback has little chance of being well received. When a new feature’s entire high-level information architecture is about to go live, it might still be relevant if the questioning raises a significant blocker that no one saw, but those concerns are much more likely to have to wait for a later revision. So in general, attune your feedback to the stage of the project. Iteration in the early stages? Iteration that was later? Polishing work in progress? Each of these needs varies. Your feedback will be received favorably if the right timing is chosen.

Attitude is the equivalent of intent, and in the context of person-to-person feedback, it can be referred to as radical candor. That entails checking before writing to see if what we have in mind will actually help the person and improve the project overall. Perhaps we don’t want to admit that we don’t really appreciate that person when we reflect on them. Hopefully that’s not the case, but that can happen, and that’s okay. How would I write if I really cared about them, aside from acknowledging and having that to help you make up for it? How can I stop acting aggressively? How can I be more constructive?

Form is important because having great content, perfect timing, and the right attitude might not be effective if our writing is interpreted as misunderstandings, especially in diverse and cross-cultural workplaces. There could be many reasons for this, including the fact that occasionally certain words may cause specific reactions, that non-native speakers may not be able to comprehend all thenuances of some sentences, that our brains may be different, and that we may perceive the world differently. Neurodiversity is a requirement. Whatever the reason, it’s important to review not just what we write but how.

A few years ago, I asked for some suggestions for how to give feedback. I was given some helpful advice, but I also found a surprise in my comment. They pointed out that when I wrote” Oh, ]… ]”, I made them feel stupid. That wasn’t my intention at all! I just realized that I had been giving them feedback for months and that I had always made them feel foolish. I was horrified … but also thankful. I quickly changed my spelling mistake by adding “oh” to my list of replaced words (your choice between aText, TextExpander, or others ) so that when I typed “oh,” it was immediately deleted.

Something to keep in mind is that people frequently beat around the bush, especially in teams with strong group spirit. It’s important to remember here that a positive attitude doesn’t mean going light on the feedback—it just means that even when you provide hard, difficult, or challenging feedback, you do so in a way that’s respectful and constructive. The best thing you can do for someone is to encourage their growth.

Giving feedback in written form can be reviewed by someone else who isn’t directly involved, which can help to reduce or eliminate any bias that might exist. I found that the best, most insightful moments for me have happened when I’ve shared a comment and I’ve asked someone who I highly trusted,” How does this sound”?,” How can I do it better”, and even” How would you have written it” ?—and I’ve learned a lot by seeing the two versions side by side.

The format

Asynchronous feedback also has a significant inherent benefit: we can devote more time to making sure that the suggestions ‘ clarity of communication and actionability meet two main objectives.

Let’s imagine that someone shared a design iteration for a project. You are commenting on it while reviewing it. Let’s try to think about some factors that might be helpful to consider, as there are many ways to accomplish this, and context is of course a factor.

In terms of clarity, start by grounding the critique that you’re about to give by providing context. This includes specifically describing where you’re coming from: do you have a thorough understanding of the project, or is this your first encounter with it? Are you bringing in a high-level perspective, or are you just learning the ins and outs? Are there regressions? Which user’s point of view do you consider when providing feedback? Is the design iteration at the point where it would be acceptable to ship this, or are there important issues that need to be addressed first?

Providing context is helpful even if you’re sharing feedback within a team that already has some information on the project. And context is absolutely necessary when providing cross-team feedback. If I were to review a design that might be directly connected to my work, I would say that, underlining my opinion as external, and if I had no idea how the project came to that conclusion.

We often focus on the negatives, trying to outline all the things that could be done better. That is obviously important, but focusing on the positives, especially if you saw improvement in the previous iteration, is even more crucial. Although this may seem superfluous, it’s important to keep in mind that design is a field with hundreds of possible solutions to each problem. So pointing out that the design solution that was chosen is good and explaining why it’s good has two major benefits: it confirms that the approach taken was solid, and it helps to ground your negative feedback. Sharing positive feedback can help prevent regressions in things that are going well because those things will have been deemed significant in the long run. Positive feedback can also help, as an added bonus, prevent impostor syndrome.

There’s one powerful approach that combines both context and a focus on the positives: frame how the design is better than the status quo ( compared to a previous iteration, competitors, or benchmarks ) and why, and then on that foundation, you can add what could be improved. There is a significant difference between a critique of a design that is already in good shape and one that isn’t quite there yet.

Depersonalizing your feedback is another way to make it better: it should never be about the creator of the piece of art. It’s” This button isn’t well aligned” versus” You haven’t aligned this button well”. This can be changed in your writing very quickly by reviewing it just before sending.

One of the best ways to assist the designer who is reading through your feedback in terms of actionability is to divide it into bullet points or paragraphs, which are easier to review and analyze one by one. For longer pieces of feedback, you might also consider splitting it into sections or even across multiple comments. Of course, adding screenshots or identifying markers for the specific area of the interface you’re referring to can also be very helpful.

Emojis have been a method I’ve personally used to enhance the bullet points in some situations. So a red square � � means that it’s something that I consider blocking, a yellow diamond � � is something that I can be convinced otherwise, but it seems to me that it should be changed, and a green circle � � is a detailed, positive confirmation. A blue spiral is also used for either something I’m uncertain about, an exploration, an open alternative, or just a note. However, I’d only use this strategy on teams where I’ve already established a high level of trust because it might turn out to be quite demoralizing if I deliver a lot of red squares, and I’d have to reframe how I’d communicate that.

Let’s see how this would work by reusing the example that we used earlier as the first bullet point in this list:

• 🔶 Navigation—When I see these two buttons, I anticipate one to go forward and the other to go back. But this is the only screen where this happens, as before we just used a single button and an “×” to close. This seems to be breaking the consistency in the flow. Let’s make sure that all screens have the same two forward and back buttons so that users don’t get confused.
• Overall, I believe the page is strong, and this is a good candidate for a version 1. 1.0 release.
• � � Metrics—Good improvement in the buttons on the metrics area, the improved contrast and new focus style make them more accessible.
• Button Style: Using the green accent in this context gives the impression that it’s a positive action because green is typically seen as a confirmation color. Do we need to look for a different color?
• 🔶Tiles—Given the number of items on the page, and the overall page hierarchy, it seems to me that the tiles shouldn’t be using the Subtitle 1 style but the Subtitle 2 style. This will maintain consistency in the visual hierarchy.
• Background: Using a light texture is effective, but I’m not sure if doing so will cause too much noise on this kind of page. What is the thinking in using that?

What about using Figma or another design tool that enables in-place feedback to provide feedback directly? These are generally difficult to use because they conceal discussions and are harder to follow, but in the right setting, they can be very effective. Just make sure that each of the comments is separate so that it’s easier to match each discussion to a single task, similar to the idea of splitting mentioned above.

Say the obvious, please. Sometimes we might feel that something is clearly right or wrong, and we don’t say it. Or sometimes we might have a doubt that we don’t express because the question might sound stupid. Say it, that’s fine. Don’t hold it back, though. You might have to reword it a little to make the reader feel more at ease. Good feedback is transparent, even when it may be obvious.

Another benefit of asynchronous feedback is that written feedback automatically monitors decisions. Why did we do this, especially in large projects? could be a question that pops up from time to time, and there’s nothing better than open, transparent discussions that can be reviewed at any time. I advise using software to prevent these discussions from being hidden after they have been resolved for this reason.

Content, tone, and format. Each one of these subjects provides a useful model, but working to improve eight areas—observation, impact, question, timing, attitude, form, clarity, and actionability—is a lot of work to put in all at once. One way to take them one by one is to first identify the area you most need from both your own perspective and feedback from others. Then the second, followed by the third, and so on. At first you’ll have to put in extra time for every piece of feedback that you give, but after a while, it’ll become second nature, and your impact on the work will multiply.

Thanks to Mike Shelton and Brie Anne Demkiw for their initial review of this article.

What on earth is a passionate stress, then?

Imagine a person who is determined to accomplish everything. She has two wonderful children whom she, along with her father who is also working mildly, is homeschooling during a crisis. She works for a lot of clients, all of whom she enjoys. She wakes up early to get some movement in ( or frequently catch up on work ), prepares dinner while the kids are having breakfast, and works while positioning herself near the end of her “fourth grade” to watch as she balances clients, tasks, and budgets. Sound like a bit? It is, even with a friendly group at home and at work.

Sounds like this person needs self-care and has too much on her disk. But no, she doesn’t have occasion for that. In reality, she begins to feel as though she’s dropping balloons. Not enough is achieved. There’s not enough of her to be here and that, she is trying to divide her head in two all the time, all day, every day. She begins to question herself. And as those emotions become more and more real, her domestic tale becomes more and more important.

Immediately she KNOWS what she needs to do! She ought to do more.

This loop is challenging and risky. Hear why? Because when she doesn’t complete that new purpose, the story will only get worse. She immediately starts failing. She isn’t doing much. She is insufficient. She’ll discover more she may do because she might neglect, or perhaps her home. She doesn’t nap as much, proceed because much, all in the attempts to do more. Not succeeds in any objective target despite constantly trying to prove herself to herself. Not feeling “enough”

But, yeah, that’s what zealous burnout looks like for me. It doesn’t develop immediately in a great sign; it develops gradually over the course of several weeks and months. My using process appears to be moving more quickly than one’s focus loss. I rate up and up and up… and therefore I simply stop.

I have the potential to do so.

The things that shape us are interesting. Through the glass of youth, I viewed the worries, problems, and sacrifices of someone who had to make it all work without having much. I never went without and also received an additional here or there because my mom was so competent and my father was so friendly.

When my mother gave me food stamps as a child, I didn’t think shame; rather, I would have good started any debates about the subject, orally eviscerating anyone who dared to criticize the handicapped girl who was attempting to ensure all of our needs were met with so little. As a child, I watched the way the worry of not making those ends meet impacted persons I love. Because I was” the one who was” make our lives a little easier, I would take on many of the physical things in my house as the non-disabled people. I soon realized that putting more of myself into it was linked to fears or confusion; I am the one who does. I learned first that when something frightens me, I can double down and work harder to make it better. I am in charge of the problem. I’ve been told that I seem courageous when people have seen this in me as an adult, but truth be told, I’m not. If I seem courageous, it’s because this behavior was forged from another people’s worries.

And here I am, surrounded by enormous tasks ahead of me, assuming that I am the one who is and therefore should, more than 30 times afterward, still feeling the urge to aimlessly drive myself forward. I feel more motivated to demonstrate that I may influence change if I put in more effort, put on more responsibilities, and demonstrate that.

I do not see people who struggle financially as problems, because I have seen how powerful that tide is be—it takes you along the way. I fully realize that I had the opportunity to prevent many of the difficulties that my children faced. Having said that, I continue to believe that she should and am still” the one who can.” As a result, I do think I’ve failed if I had to struggle to make ends meet for my own home. Though I am supported and educated, most of this is due to great wealth. But, I’ll give myself the haughtiness of claiming that my choices were wise and that they had sparked that success. My sense of self is the result of the notion that I am” the one who can” and feel compelled to accomplish the most. I can choose to halt, and with some pretty precise warm water splashed in my face, I’ve made the choice to previously. However, I don’t always choose to stop, so I move on, driven by a fear that is so present in me that I hardly ever notice until I’m completely worn out.

Why all this history, then? You see, burnout is a fickle thing. Over the years, I have read and heard a lot about burnout. Burnout is a real phenomenon. Especially now, with COVID, many of us are balancing more than we ever have before—all at once! It’s challenging, and so many amazing professionals are affected by the avoidance, the shutting down, and the procrastination. There are significant articles that, in my opinion, relate to the majority of people out there, but not me. That’s not what my burnout looks like.

The perilous invisibility of zealous burnout

The extra hours, extra work, and overall focused commitment are often viewed as an asset in many workplaces ( and occasionally that’s all it is ). They see someone trying to rise to challenges, not someone stuck in their fear. Many well-intentioned organizations have procedures in place to safeguard their teams from burnout. However, in situations like this, those alarms don’t always ring, and some organization members are surprised and depressed when the inevitable stop happens. And sometimes maybe even betrayed.

Parents are praised for being so on top of it all when they can work, participate in the after-school activities, practice self-care in the form of diet and exercise, and still meet friends for coffee or wine. More so mothers, statistically speaking. Many of us watched endless streaming COVID episodes to see how challenging the female protagonist is, but she is strong, funny, and capable of doing it. It’s a “very special episode” when she breaks down, cries in the bathroom, woefully admits she needs help, and just stops for a bit. Truth be told, countless people are hidden in tears or doom-scrolling to escape. Although we are aware that the media is a lie to amuse us, a large portion of society has been persuaded that it is what we should aim for.

Women and burnout

I adore men. And even though I don’t love every man ( heads up, I don’t love every woman or nonbinary person either ), I think there is a wonderful range of people who fit that particular binary gender.

That said, women are still more often at risk of burnout than their male counterparts, especially in these COVID stressed times. Mothers at work experience the pressure to do everything “mom” while giving 100 %. Mothers who are not employed feel they must do more to” justify” their discontinuance from traditional employment. Women who are not mothers often feel the need to do even more because they don’t have that extra pressure at home. It’s so ingrained in our culture and vicious and systemic that we frequently are unaware of how much pressure we place on ourselves and others.

Beyond happiness, there are costs. Harvard Health Publishing released a study a decade ago that “uncovered strong links between women’s job stress and cardiovascular disease”. According to the CDC,” Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing 299,578 women in 2017—or roughly 1 in every 5 female deaths,”

According to what I’ve read, this connection between work stress and health is more dangerous for women than it is for their non-female counterparts.

But what if your burnout isn’t like that either?

That might not be you either. After all, we are all unique, and how we respond to stressors is also unique. It’s part of what makes us human. Don’t put too much emphasis on how burnout looks; instead, learn to recognize it in yourself. Here are a few questions I occasionally ask friends if I’m worried about them.

Are you happy? You should ask yourself this straightforward question first. Even if you’re burning out doing all the things you love, chances are you’ll just stop enjoying yourself as much as you do.

Do you feel empowered to say no? I’ve observed in myself and others that when someone is going out, they no longer feel like they can say no to things. Even those who don’t” speed up” feel pressured to say yes to not let the people around them be disappointed.

What are three things you’ve done for yourself? Another fact to keep in mind is that we all have a tendency to stop doing things for ourselves. anything from avoiding conversations with friends to skipping showers and eating poorly. These can be red flags.

Are you using justifications? Many of us make an effort to avoid feeling burned out. Over and over I have heard,” It’s just crunch time”,” As soon as I do this one thing, it will all be better”, and” Well I should be able to handle this, so I’ll figure it out”. And it might actually be crunch time, a single objective, and/or a set of skills you need to master. Life happens because of that. BUT if this doesn’t stop, be honest with yourself. If you’ve worked more than 50 hours of work since January, then perhaps it’s not crunch time; perhaps it’s a bad situation you’re finding yourself in.

Do you have a strategy for overcoming this feeling? If something is truly temporary and you do need to just push through, then it has an exit route with a
defined the end

Take the time to listen to yourself as you would a friend. Be honest, allow yourself to be uncomfortable, and break the thought cycles that prevent you from healing.

So what do we do now?

Although what I just described is a different path to burnout, it is still burnout. There are well-established approaches to working through burnout:

• Get enough sleep.
• Eat well.
• Work out.
• Leave the house.
• Take a break, please.
• Overall, practice self-care.

These are challenging for me because they seem like more tasks. Doing any of the above for me feels like a waste if I’m in the burnout cycle. The narrative is that if I’m already failing, why would I take care of myself when I’m dropping all those other balls? People need me, don’t they?

Your inner voice might be pretty bad by now if you’re deeply in the cycle. If you need to, tell yourself you need to take care of the person your people depend on. Use your roles to help facilitate healing by justifying the amount of time you spend working on you if they are making you burn out.

I have come up with a few things that I do when I start to feel like I’m going into a zealous burnout to help me remember the airline attendant advice to put the mask on yourself first.

Cook an elaborate meal for someone!

Okay, since I’m a “food-focused” person, I’ve always been a fan. In my home, there are countless tales of people coming into the kitchen, turning right, and leaving when they noticed I was” chopping angrily.” But it’s more than that, and you should give it a try. Seriously. If you don’t feel like giving time for yourself, make it a priority for someone else. Most of us work in a digital world, so cooking can fill all of your senses and force you to be in the moment with all the ways you perceive the world. It can help you get a better perspective and help you get out of your head. I’ve always had the ability to locate a location on a map and prepare food from it ( thanks, Pinterest ). I love cooking Indian food, as the smells are warm, the bread needs just enough kneading to keep my hands busy, and the process takes real attention for me because it’s not what I was brought up making. And ultimately, we all triumph!

Vent like a sniveling jerk.

Be careful with this one!

Over the past few years, I have made an effort to practice more gratitude, and I am aware of the benefits. Having said that, sometimes you just need to let it all out, even the ugly ones. Hell, I’m a big fan of not sugarcoating our lives, and that sometimes means that to get past the big pile of poop, you’re gonna wanna complain about it a bit.

When that is required, turn to a trusted friend and give yourself some pure verbal diarrhea by expressing all your concerns. You must have faith in this friend to not judge you, to feel your pain, and, most importantly, to instruct you to take your own rectal cavity out of your cranium. Seriously, it’s about getting a reality check here! One of the things that I admire most about my husband is how he manages to simplify things down to the simplest. We’re spending our lives together, and I can’t wait to get over it. I’m so grateful for his words of dedication, love, and acceptance of me. It also, of course, has meant that I needed to remove my head from that rectal cavity. Again, those instances are typically appreciated in retrospect.

Grab a book!

There are many books out there that aren’t so much self-help as they are people just like you sharing their stories and how they’ve come to find greater balance. You might discover something that appeals to you. Among the titles that have stood out to me are:

• Thrive by Arianna Huffington
• Tim Ferriss ‘ book Tools of Titans
• Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

Or, a tactic I enjoy using is to read or listen to a book that is NOT related to my work-life balance. I’ve read the following books, and I think they helped to balance me out because my mind was thinking about the subjects they were interested in rather than whizzing around:

• The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart
• Darin Olien’s Superlife
• A Brief History of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford
• Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway

If you’re not interested in reading, you can find a topic on YouTube or subscribe to a podcast. In addition to learning about raising chickens and ducks, I’ve watched countless gardening and permaculture topics. For the record, I do not have a particularly large food garden, nor do I own livestock of any kind… yet. I just find the subject fascinating, and it’s unrelated to anything that needs to be done in my life.

Give yourself a break.

You are never going to be perfect—hell, it would be boring if you were. It can be imperfect and broken. It’s human nature to be depressed, anxious, and tired. It’s OK to not do it all. You can’t be brave without being imperfect, which is scary, but you can’t be brave without being imperfect.

The most crucial thing to remember is to grant yourself permission to NOT do it all. You never promised to be everything to everyone at all times. Our fears determine our strength, not ours.

This is challenging. It is hard for me. That it’s okay to stop is what inspired me to write this. It’s acceptable that your unhealthy habit, which might even be beneficial to those around you, needs to end. You can still be successful in life.

I just recently learned that we are all euthanizing in our daily lives. What will your professional accomplishments say, knowing that your speech won’t include them? What do you want it to say?

Look, I understand that none of these concepts will “fix it,” and that’s not their intention. None of us has complete control over what happens in our environment, but only how we react to it. These suggestions are to help stop the spiral effect so that you are empowered to address the underlying issues and choose your response. They are things that most of the time work for me. They might be able to work for you.

Does this sound familiar?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not just going to know about it. Don’t let your sluggish self-talk indicate that you “even burn out wrong.” It’s not wrong. Even if I’m rooted in fear like my own drivers, I think this need to do more comes from a place where you have the same kind of love, determination, motivation, and other wonderful qualities that make you the amazing person you are. We’re going to be fine, you see. The lives that unfold before us might never look like that story in our head—that idea of “perfect” or “done” we’re looking for, but that’s OK. Really, when we stop and look around, usually the only eyes that judge us are in the mirror.

Do you recall the Winnie the Pooh cartoon where Pooh ate so much at Rabbit’s house that his buttocks were unable to pass through the door? It came as no surprise when Rabbit abruptly declared that this was unacceptable because I already associate a lot with him. But do you recall what happened next? The big butt in his kitchen was made up of poor Pooh’s ankles and decorations, and he made the most of it.

We are resourceful and aware that we can push ourselves when necessary, even when we are exhausted or have a ton of clutter in our room. None of us has to be afraid, as we can manage any obstacle put in front of us. And maybe that means we need to redefine success in order to make room for comfort for being uncomfortable human, but that doesn’t really sound that bad either.

So, if you’re anywhere right now, take a deep breath. Do what you need to do to get out of your head. Give thanks and be considerate.