Background information
Here’s how (in)accurate my gaming predictions were in 2024
by Philipp Rüegg
I predicted what will happen for gaming in 2025 – and got it all wrong
2.1.2026
Translation: Eva Francis
Did my predictions for the future of gaming come true or was it nothing but hot air? Let’s find out.
Just like my animal counterpart Punxsutawney Phil, I predict the future every year. While the now world-famous groundhog from Bill Murray’s classic movie Groundhog Day predicts the end of winter, I, Philstradamus, dare to make predictions about the gaming year. And what can I say, it’s high time to have my crystal ball serviced. Most of my predictions were wrong. Let’s go through them all.
Wrong: Trump will call for a GTA 6 ban
GTA 6 was postponed again, so there’s been little new information about the content of the game – and nothing about Donald Trump. Looks like we won’t find out until November at the earliest whether Rockstar will include a satire of the orange-tanned US president.
Source: Rockstar
Wrong: GTA 6 will bring servers to a standstill
The trailers definitely set the internet abuzz, but the servers didn’t collapse. But I was referring to the game servers at launch anyway, which is still to come.
Source: Rockstar
Wrong: GTA Online will become an MMO
Again, we’ll have to wait almost a year to find out if what I predicted comes true. But I still think it’s possible.
Source: Rockstar
Wrong: GTA 6 will feature a viral mini-game
Rockstar really messed up my score with this one. No GTA 6 and therefore no mini-game.
Source: Rockstar
Wrong: Switch 2 will resurrect the Miiverse
Missed opportunity, my dear friends at Nintendo. The Switch 2 operating system’s just as boring as the one on the Switch 1. No gimmicks, no Miiverse-like functions, nothing. I’ve seen the odd playtest for a secret online project (link in German), but nobody knows exactly what that is.
Source: Nintendo
Wrong: Display add-on will transform the Switch 2 into a DS
If I worked in Nintendo’s research and development department, this would be a reality – and make the company millions. MILLIONS! Looks like the idea’s not just one of my fever dreams, as Nintendo’s already applied for a patent.
Source: Nintendo Life
Wrong: A Nintendo blockbuster for the Switch 2 launch
So close and yet so far off. I predicted four games – two have been released, one’s coming soon and the fourth’s just called differently. Donkey Kong Bananza is produced by the studio behind the 3D Mario games. I predicted the following games:
- Mario Kart 9
- A new 3D Super Mario
- A new Pokémon
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Source: Nintendo
Correct: Game upgrades for the Switch 2 will be subject to a charge
Ding, ding, ding, I got this one right. Even if some Switch 2 upgrades are still free of charge, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are two prominent examples of Nintendo charging an additional fee. To upgrade from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2 version, you pay CHF 10.–. If you have a Nintendo Online subscription, you can save some of the additional costs.
Source: Nintendo
Wrong: Switch 2 will track your whole body
There’s an optional camera that films you, but that’s about it. So far, it doesn’t look like tracking in Xbox Kinect-style will be made possible. The Joycons haven’t been developed in this respect either.
Source: Nintendo
Wrong: Tencent will take over Ubisoft
Do I get half a point for this one? Ubisoft has transferred its most important brands such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry to a newly founded subsidiary, which Tencent has invested 1.26 billion euros (around 1.1 billion Swiss francs) in. However, the French games company is still independent.
Source: Ubisoft
Wrong: A new popular Fortnite mode
Unfortunately, there’s no new MOBA mode in Fortnite. If only I’d predicted a crossover with a famous yellow family.
Source: Epic
Correct: Microsoft will release its own games simultaneously on the PS5
Doom The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2 were both released simultaneously on the Xbox Series X/S and PS5. With Halo, the last bastion will also fall in 2026.
Source: Microsoft
Wrong: The Horizon MMO will be put on hold
What was rumoured to be an MMO for PS5 will instead be released on PC and mobile devices. Horizon Steel Frontiers is developed by South Korean studio NC Soft. Guerilla Games, who produced the two previous Horizon games, are reportedly still working on a multiplayer spin-off. But it’s not intended to be an MMO.
Source: Sony
Wrong: The cast for the Legend of Zelda film will cause a stir
The main characters and even first set photos have been released. But there’s not much uproar yet. Although the majority are sceptical, the angry mob has so far failed to materialise.
Source: Nintendo
Correct: A Steam console for the living room
Valve has officially unveiled the Steam Machines along with a new controller and a new headset. The launch is scheduled for early 2026. The mini PC’s intended to combine the advantages of consoles and the Steam platform.
Source: Valve
Wrong: Games so realistic, they’ll bring back the killer games moral panic
For once, I’m pleased I got it wrong. Ultra-realistic shooter games have not yet brought any authorities or politicians to spring into action.
Source: Drama
Wrong: A strike against AI streamers
The number of virtual streamers is growing rapidly, but so far, there doesn’t seem to be any widespread resistance to them.
Source: Vedal987
Correct: A dating app for gamers
I’m not sure whether my correct prediction should make me happy or worry about humanity. Either way, with LFG dating, there’s at least one app that matches game nerds according to their gaming preferences.
Source: Glass Boot Ventures
Wrong: AI tools will play for you
I was a little too early with this one. Although Microsoft’s pushing Copilot more and more and it’s long been a prominent part of the Game Bar, it still only gives you game tips and can’t take over the controls just yet.
Source: Co-Pilot/Philipp Rüegg
Verdict: 4 of my predictions were right, 15 were wrong
That’s a pretty bad result, shame on me. I’ll punish myself by playing nothing but Roblox for an entire week – on my phone!
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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