By Sagar V. Mankar 
Aream & Co., an independent investment bank specializing in the gaming sector, recently conducted a survey to understand gaming executives’ expectations for 2025. The survey, held in December 2024, involved around 50 CEOs from various gaming companies. Their insights provide a detailed picture of the industry’s anticipated trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Consumer Spending Trends
The survey revealed mixed expectations for consumer spending on games in 2025. While 49% of respondents are optimistic and predict an increase, an equal percentage believe spending levels will remain stable. Only 2% anticipate a decline, showcasing overall confidence in the gaming market’s resilience.
Market Segment Growth
The mobile gaming segment is expected to see the most growth, with 41% of executives predicting a rise in in-app purchases (IAP) and 31% forecasting increased advertising revenue. The PC gaming market comes next, with 33% expecting growth, while the console market is considered the most static, with 70% predicting no change. However, the PC segment showed the lowest negative outlook compared to other platforms.
Industry Challenges
CEOs identified several challenges facing the gaming industry:
- Content Saturation: 33% flagged an oversupply of games as a concern.
- Audience Acquisition: 31% highlighted difficulties in attracting players.
- Economic Factors: 17% mentioned macroeconomic pressures and fluctuating consumer demand.
- Rising Costs: 12% pointed to increasing development expenses.
- Other concerns included regulatory changes (5%) and a lack of innovation (2%).
Development and Budget Plans
More than half of the executives (54%) plan to initiate more game projects in 2025 than in 2024. Meanwhile, 35% will maintain the same level of development, and 12% intend to scale back.
Regarding budgets, 37% aim to increase spending per game, while 49% will keep budgets unchanged, and 14% plan reductions.
Marketing and Talent Acquisition
Marketing investment is also a priority, with 48% planning to increase spending, 41% maintaining current levels, and 12% considering cuts.
On the hiring front, game developers (71%), engineers (42%), and community-building specialists (32%) are in high demand, followed by marketing professionals (24%).
AI Integration in Gaming
AI continues to shape the industry, with 21% of companies reporting advanced AI integration and 63% utilizing it in limited capacities.
AI applications are primarily focused on art and game design (35%), coding (21%), and marketing (19%).
Mergers and Acquisitions
Looking ahead, 71% of executives foresee more merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities in 2025, while 29% believe the landscape will remain steady. Notably, none expect a decline in M&A activity.
Sources: Aream & Co. December 2024 Survey on Gaming Industry Trends