From 'Grand Theft Auto 6' to a new Nintendo console, what awaits the video game industry in 2025

Will “Grand Theft Auto 6” finally come out this year?

While Rockstar Games has promised a 2025 release, the developer has a reputation for perfectionism, secrecy and delays. Rabid as fans are for any scrap of news about the game, nobody’s holding their breath more than industry executives, who hope the long-awaited debut could bolster flagging console sales.

The last series title, “GTA5,” came out in 2013 and went on to ship more than 200,000,000 copies, making it the world’s second best-selling game after “Minecraft.” “GTA6” may eclipse even that stunning record. Financial research firm DFC Intelligence predicts the game will earn more than $1 billion in preorders alone.

While questions continue to swirl around “Grand Theft Auto,” I’ve got a few others for the new year. Here they are:

How much of an upgrade will Nintendo’s newest console be over the Switch?

Nintendo should officially announce a sequel to its ultra-popular Switch by the end of March. We still know frightfully little about the machine and how much more powerful it might be than original Switch hardware, which now struggles to run modern games. We also don’t know which launch titles may premiere alongside the console, though “Metroid Prime 4” is the betting favorite after its surprise trailer dropped last year. I suspect that even modest improvements will entice eager buyers, but that same strategy doomed the Wii U after the delirious success of the Wii.

Will “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” rescue Ubisoft?

The once-mighty Ubisoft limped into the new year. “Skull and Bones” capsized after costing hundreds of millions of dollars and 11 years to develop. “Star Wars Outlaws” launched to middling reviews, massive bugs and mediocre sales. Even critical darling “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown” performed so poorly that Ubisoft disbanded the team that made it.

Stakes are stratospheric for “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” which Ubisoft pushed from releasing late in 2024 to Valentine’s Day this year. Where the last game, “Mirage,” simplified the series and returned it to its Middle Eastern roots, “Shadows” will export its stealth open-world action to historical Japan. The problem for Ubisoft? Rivals have already staked out this territory, from “Rise of the Ronin” to “Ghost of Yōtei,” the upcoming sequel to the revered “Ghost of Tsushima.” “Shadows” will have to overcome this robust competition (not to mention virulent online hate) to give Ubisoft the boost it needs to dodge deeper layoffs.

Which indie games will break big in 2025?

While big corporations have floundered, independent games have the potential to explode like never before. The solo-developed “Balatro” swept The Game Awards and sold well over 3 million copies last year. “Hades 2,” which will likely officially release this year after brilliant early access success, may blaze a similar trail. But I’m sure several small projects I’ll have never seen coming will catch fire too.

Tough as it is to stand out from the ever-increasing crowd, passionate players, viral streams and enduring word-of-mouth can still lift games from obscurity to critical and commercial heights. Though the industry has plenty to fret over, I’ll always take comfort in that.