The Future of Gaming: Where the Industry is Headed in the Next 25 YearsIn a special feature, Eurogamer invited industry luminaries to share their insights and predictions on the future of video games. From the impact of emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing to the evolution of storytelling and player experiences, these visionaries offer a compelling glimpse into the rapidly changing landscape of gaming over the next quarter century.

Envisioning the Next Era of Interactive Entertainment

Embracing the Power of AI and Advancing Immersive Experiences

Shinji Mikami, the legendary game designer behind titles like Resident Evil, foresees a future where AI plays a increasingly prominent role in game development. He envisions a time when AI-generated characters, animations, and dialogues will become the norm, freeing up developers to focus on crafting rich, immersive worlds. "AI is going to become a lot bigger and a much more prominent element in game development and game creation," Mikami predicts.Jesper Kyd, the acclaimed composer for the Assassin's Creed franchise, shares a similar vision of the future, imagining a world where players can don a pair of glasses and be instantly transported into a virtual space, such as the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek. Kyd believes that as these technologies mature, the lines between reality and the virtual realm will become increasingly blurred, enabling seamless, shared experiences among players.

Democratizing Game Creation and Fostering Diverse Narratives

Peter Molyneux, the renowned game developer behind the Fable series, believes that AI will revolutionize the way games are created, empowering anyone to bring their ideas to life. "You will be able to, for example, create a game from one single prompt such as 'Make a battle royale set on a pirate ship' and your AI will go and do that for you," Molyneux says, highlighting the potential for AI to democratize the game development process.This sentiment is echoed by Christine Love, the acclaimed indie game designer, who envisions a future where games will move beyond the homogenized "open-world game about gaining experience points" formula. Love believes that as the industry matures, we'll see a shift towards more ambitious, thematically driven experiences that cater to niche audiences rather than chasing broad appeal. "We're going to realise the best way to stand out from that huge crowd is through their themes: games that answer questions you never thought a game would make you think of, games that feel strongly opinionated, games that don't resonate shallowly with every single person but instead are deeply meaningful to a few," Love suggests.

Expanding the Reach and Accessibility of Gaming

Naoki "Yoshi-P" Yoshida, the producer behind the massively successful Final Fantasy XIV, foresees a future where gaming will become more accessible than ever before. He predicts that traditional game consoles will largely disappear, with the majority of gaming shifting to cloud-based, subscription-driven platforms. "More than 90 percent of what we call games consoles will be gone. But there's a possibility that Nintendo might still have a platform. It should be possible to play games on all devices, and almost 100 percent of gaming will be on the cloud, so definitely there would be no need to have machine power on the players' side," Yoshida explains.This shift towards cloud gaming and ubiquitous access aligns with the vision of Åsa Bredin, the head of Mojang Studios. Bredin hopes that in the years to come, games will play a more active role in bringing people together and fostering meaningful connections, regardless of device or location. "Video games today can be a force for good, an outlet for people to express their creativity, a way to build community. As technology advances, it is becoming easier for people to build games and share their artistry. And as more people create games, I'm excited to see the many unique stories that are crafted," Bredin says.

Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While the future of gaming holds immense promise, some industry leaders caution against the potential pitfalls that may arise. Meghna Jayanth, the acclaimed writer and narrative designer, expresses concern over the ongoing issues of "platformisation and increasing extractivism plaguing game design," urging the industry to move away from "designs of addiction and extraction" and towards more sustainable and meaningful player experiences.Similarly, Hannah Nicklin, the narrative designer and former studio lead, paints a sobering picture of a world ravaged by climate change, where the gaming industry is forced to take a backseat to more pressing issues of survival and rebuilding. Nicklin's vision, while dystopian, serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of addressing the broader societal challenges that may shape the future of interactive entertainment.Amidst these challenges, however, there is also a sense of optimism and determination. Jenova Chen, the co-founder of Thatgamecompany, believes that in the coming decades, games will become increasingly recognized as a powerful form of storytelling, capable of shaping and reflecting global culture. "I believe video games are on a similar trajectory [to cinema]. By then, games will be recognized not just as games but as a powerful form of storytelling that shapes and reflects culture globally," Chen says.As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the voices and visions of these industry luminaries offer a compelling glimpse into the future. From the integration of AI and the democratization of game creation to the expansion of accessibility and the pursuit of meaningful, diverse narratives, the next 25 years promise to be a transformative era for interactive entertainment.