DomsPlaying
@domsplaying.bsky.social
Avid Gamer & Pinballer.
Free Agent Games Industry Analyst.
Enthusiast. Reviewer. Researcher.
Formerly ran Working Casual.
[email protected]
Free Agent Games Industry Analyst.
Enthusiast. Reviewer. Researcher.
Formerly ran Working Casual.
[email protected]
Pinned
Here are my Top 10 Favorite Games of 2025:
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Ghost of Yotei
3. Dispatch
4. Avowed
5. Hollow Knight: Silksong
6. Donkey Kong Bananza
7. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
8. Hades 2
9. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
10. South of Midnight
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Ghost of Yotei
3. Dispatch
4. Avowed
5. Hollow Knight: Silksong
6. Donkey Kong Bananza
7. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
8. Hades 2
9. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
10. South of Midnight
Huge news out of Ubisoft today.
Accelerated cost reductions.
6 games canceled, inc Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake.
7 delays, with Black Flag remake reportedly among them.
I don't think it's a question of whether layoffs will happen; it's a matter of how many. Not good.
Accelerated cost reductions.
6 games canceled, inc Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake.
7 delays, with Black Flag remake reportedly among them.
I don't think it's a question of whether layoffs will happen; it's a matter of how many. Not good.
January 21, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Huge news out of Ubisoft today.
Accelerated cost reductions.
6 games canceled, inc Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake.
7 delays, with Black Flag remake reportedly among them.
I don't think it's a question of whether layoffs will happen; it's a matter of how many. Not good.
Accelerated cost reductions.
6 games canceled, inc Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake.
7 delays, with Black Flag remake reportedly among them.
I don't think it's a question of whether layoffs will happen; it's a matter of how many. Not good.
Not quite sure what took Bungie so long to announce Marathon is out on March 5th.
One of those games I really can't predict how it will sell. I'm cautious. An appealing price in that Helldivers II/ARC Raiders range. But can it overcome the art scandal & early impressions? 🤔
One of those games I really can't predict how it will sell. I'm cautious. An appealing price in that Helldivers II/ARC Raiders range. But can it overcome the art scandal & early impressions? 🤔
January 20, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Not quite sure what took Bungie so long to announce Marathon is out on March 5th.
One of those games I really can't predict how it will sell. I'm cautious. An appealing price in that Helldivers II/ARC Raiders range. But can it overcome the art scandal & early impressions? 🤔
One of those games I really can't predict how it will sell. I'm cautious. An appealing price in that Helldivers II/ARC Raiders range. But can it overcome the art scandal & early impressions? 🤔
This sounds like a buying opportunity to me, more than anything.
Sure, uncertainty can spook investors. I believe the Switch 2 life cycle is going to be quite lucrative for Nintendo, especially with multiple movies in the works.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintend...
Sure, uncertainty can spook investors. I believe the Switch 2 life cycle is going to be quite lucrative for Nintendo, especially with multiple movies in the works.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintend...
Nintendo’s share price has dropped 33% in the last five months in Japan | VGC
Uncertainty over potential price increases may have contributed to the decline…
www.videogameschronicle.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:55 PM
This sounds like a buying opportunity to me, more than anything.
Sure, uncertainty can spook investors. I believe the Switch 2 life cycle is going to be quite lucrative for Nintendo, especially with multiple movies in the works.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintend...
Sure, uncertainty can spook investors. I believe the Switch 2 life cycle is going to be quite lucrative for Nintendo, especially with multiple movies in the works.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintend...
January 9, 2026 at 9:14 PM
I was really hoping we'd see something from Clockwork Revolution during this year's direct, if it's still out in 2026.
(Is it possible there might be a surprise?)
That said, Playground carrying here 💪
news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
(Is it possible there might be a surprise?)
That said, Playground carrying here 💪
news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
Developer_Direct Returns January 22: Watch Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation Gameplay, Direct from the Studios - Xbox Wire
We're kicking off 2026 with the fourth installment of Developer_Direct on January 22 – bringing you new gameplay and insights for Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation.
news.xbox.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:30 PM
I was really hoping we'd see something from Clockwork Revolution during this year's direct, if it's still out in 2026.
(Is it possible there might be a surprise?)
That said, Playground carrying here 💪
news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
(Is it possible there might be a surprise?)
That said, Playground carrying here 💪
news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
Wolfenstein 3? Let's gooo 👏
Multiplayer title? Hmm I dunno 🤔
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/machine...
Multiplayer title? Hmm I dunno 🤔
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/machine...
Machine Games is reportedly working on Wolfenstein 3 and a ‘Rainbow Six Siege-style’ multiplayer title | VGC
The Bethesda studio has previously expressed interest in a third Wolfenstein…
www.videogameschronicle.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Wolfenstein 3? Let's gooo 👏
Multiplayer title? Hmm I dunno 🤔
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/machine...
Multiplayer title? Hmm I dunno 🤔
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/machine...
Yo, 2026. Where's that Steam Deck 2 at?
🤔
🤔
January 6, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Yo, 2026. Where's that Steam Deck 2 at?
🤔
🤔
Here are my Top 10 Favorite Games of 2025:
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Ghost of Yotei
3. Dispatch
4. Avowed
5. Hollow Knight: Silksong
6. Donkey Kong Bananza
7. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
8. Hades 2
9. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
10. South of Midnight
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Ghost of Yotei
3. Dispatch
4. Avowed
5. Hollow Knight: Silksong
6. Donkey Kong Bananza
7. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
8. Hades 2
9. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
10. South of Midnight
January 2, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Here are my Top 10 Favorite Games of 2025:
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Ghost of Yotei
3. Dispatch
4. Avowed
5. Hollow Knight: Silksong
6. Donkey Kong Bananza
7. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
8. Hades 2
9. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
10. South of Midnight
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
2. Ghost of Yotei
3. Dispatch
4. Avowed
5. Hollow Knight: Silksong
6. Donkey Kong Bananza
7. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
8. Hades 2
9. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
10. South of Midnight
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Be safe & well 🎉
December 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Be safe & well 🎉
I love GI Biz's annual Year in Numbers post!
For 2025, standouts include:
Spending +8% (above my target).
Total value nearing $200B.
Double digit PC gains.
BF6 out-performance.
Note this data is thru Nov.
Quite curious how BO7 is trending.
Will know the full story soon! 📈
For 2025, standouts include:
Spending +8% (above my target).
Total value nearing $200B.
Double digit PC gains.
BF6 out-performance.
Note this data is thru Nov.
Quite curious how BO7 is trending.
Will know the full story soon! 📈
December 23, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I love GI Biz's annual Year in Numbers post!
For 2025, standouts include:
Spending +8% (above my target).
Total value nearing $200B.
Double digit PC gains.
BF6 out-performance.
Note this data is thru Nov.
Quite curious how BO7 is trending.
Will know the full story soon! 📈
For 2025, standouts include:
Spending +8% (above my target).
Total value nearing $200B.
Double digit PC gains.
BF6 out-performance.
Note this data is thru Nov.
Quite curious how BO7 is trending.
Will know the full story soon! 📈
Some of mine:
GTA VI hits Nov. Unsure if a popular opinion?
Mid to high single-digit global growth.
Still, notable layoffs & closures.
MS shutters 2 studios & cancels a big project.
Steam Deck 2 reveal. No HL3.
Switch 2 momentum continues as top seller.
www.gamesindustry.biz/gta-6-delaye...
GTA VI hits Nov. Unsure if a popular opinion?
Mid to high single-digit global growth.
Still, notable layoffs & closures.
MS shutters 2 studios & cancels a big project.
Steam Deck 2 reveal. No HL3.
Switch 2 momentum continues as top seller.
www.gamesindustry.biz/gta-6-delaye...
GTA 6 delayed again, AI impacts hardware, and Half-Life 3: Analyst predictions for 2026 | Year in Review
Predictions for the year ahead, and judging the accuracy of the predictions we made last year.
www.gamesindustry.biz
December 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Some of mine:
GTA VI hits Nov. Unsure if a popular opinion?
Mid to high single-digit global growth.
Still, notable layoffs & closures.
MS shutters 2 studios & cancels a big project.
Steam Deck 2 reveal. No HL3.
Switch 2 momentum continues as top seller.
www.gamesindustry.biz/gta-6-delaye...
GTA VI hits Nov. Unsure if a popular opinion?
Mid to high single-digit global growth.
Still, notable layoffs & closures.
MS shutters 2 studios & cancels a big project.
Steam Deck 2 reveal. No HL3.
Switch 2 momentum continues as top seller.
www.gamesindustry.biz/gta-6-delaye...
A lot to digest in this piece, a great summation of where MS is, and is trying to go, in games.
What stands out to me, as always, is what a company doesn't say.
Here it's the lack of transparency on Xbox sales & profit targets.
We'll see how it goes.
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/21/x...
What stands out to me, as always, is what a company doesn't say.
Here it's the lack of transparency on Xbox sales & profit targets.
We'll see how it goes.
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/21/x...
Xbox is losing the console race by miles. It's part of Microsoft's big gaming pivot
Sales of Microsoft's Xbox Series S and Series X are even behind the original Nintendo Switch, which launched in 2017.
www.cnbc.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
A lot to digest in this piece, a great summation of where MS is, and is trying to go, in games.
What stands out to me, as always, is what a company doesn't say.
Here it's the lack of transparency on Xbox sales & profit targets.
We'll see how it goes.
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/21/x...
What stands out to me, as always, is what a company doesn't say.
Here it's the lack of transparency on Xbox sales & profit targets.
We'll see how it goes.
www.cnbc.com/2025/12/21/x...
Hearing news this week around Naughty Dog's crunch & layoffs being "horrendous" in 2025 (even if improved from 2024) makes me double-down on giving kudos to all the devs that can even ship a game in this environment.
So: massive props. You are amazing.
www.gamesindustry.biz/games-indust...
So: massive props. You are amazing.
www.gamesindustry.biz/games-indust...
Games industry layoff figures were down slightly in 2025 – but it was still horrendous | Year in Review
Although layoffs were down by around a third, studios in the US and Western Europe may have been hit by the trend for jobs moving to emerging markets
www.gamesindustry.biz
December 19, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Hearing news this week around Naughty Dog's crunch & layoffs being "horrendous" in 2025 (even if improved from 2024) makes me double-down on giving kudos to all the devs that can even ship a game in this environment.
So: massive props. You are amazing.
www.gamesindustry.biz/games-indust...
So: massive props. You are amazing.
www.gamesindustry.biz/games-indust...
Two of my early thoughts on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond would be as follows:
1. Miles Mackenzie is the homie. He's pretty damn funny & adds value to the game as an initial sidekick.
2. The first couple hours are boooring. I almost fell asleep last night while playing.
We'll see 🤷
1. Miles Mackenzie is the homie. He's pretty damn funny & adds value to the game as an initial sidekick.
2. The first couple hours are boooring. I almost fell asleep last night while playing.
We'll see 🤷
December 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Two of my early thoughts on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond would be as follows:
1. Miles Mackenzie is the homie. He's pretty damn funny & adds value to the game as an initial sidekick.
2. The first couple hours are boooring. I almost fell asleep last night while playing.
We'll see 🤷
1. Miles Mackenzie is the homie. He's pretty damn funny & adds value to the game as an initial sidekick.
2. The first couple hours are boooring. I almost fell asleep last night while playing.
We'll see 🤷
Global games industry growth > 7% certainly beat my expectations too.
My estimate was flat-to-up slightly YoY, based on pricing challenges & market pressures.
For SW, Battlefield 6 stands out. Clair Obscur the big surprise. Switch 2 boosted HW to gains.
www.gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-predi...
My estimate was flat-to-up slightly YoY, based on pricing challenges & market pressures.
For SW, Battlefield 6 stands out. Clair Obscur the big surprise. Switch 2 boosted HW to gains.
www.gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-predi...
Newzoo predicts global games market to reach $197bn in 2025, exceeding prior expectations
Data firm suggests 7.5% revenue increase driven by "stronger-than-expected performance" on PC and mobile
www.gamesindustry.biz
December 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Global games industry growth > 7% certainly beat my expectations too.
My estimate was flat-to-up slightly YoY, based on pricing challenges & market pressures.
For SW, Battlefield 6 stands out. Clair Obscur the big surprise. Switch 2 boosted HW to gains.
www.gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-predi...
My estimate was flat-to-up slightly YoY, based on pricing challenges & market pressures.
For SW, Battlefield 6 stands out. Clair Obscur the big surprise. Switch 2 boosted HW to gains.
www.gamesindustry.biz/newzoo-predi...
Rough November report, including all HW declines & Switch 2 + Switch down vs Switch alone.
Xbox is in free fall.
It's almost as if raising prices amidst a tough consumer environment where demand is shaky enough isn't the path to sales. It's a dilemma.
www.ign.com/articles/vid...
Xbox is in free fall.
It's almost as if raising prices amidst a tough consumer environment where demand is shaky enough isn't the path to sales. It's a dilemma.
www.ign.com/articles/vid...
Video Game Physical Software and Hardware Sales Just Had the Worst November in the U.S. Since 1995 - IGN
Last month, November, was a shockingly terrible month for video game sales in the U.S. While we traditionally think of November as a huge sales month what with Black Friday and all, November 2025 was ...
www.ign.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Rough November report, including all HW declines & Switch 2 + Switch down vs Switch alone.
Xbox is in free fall.
It's almost as if raising prices amidst a tough consumer environment where demand is shaky enough isn't the path to sales. It's a dilemma.
www.ign.com/articles/vid...
Xbox is in free fall.
It's almost as if raising prices amidst a tough consumer environment where demand is shaky enough isn't the path to sales. It's a dilemma.
www.ign.com/articles/vid...
7M units sold for Silksong, whew.
In addition, Team Cherry says there are millions more playing via Game Pass.
The team shared this as part of its 2025 recap & reveal of its upcoming Sea of Sorrow DLC.
Much-deserved & well worth the wait! Congrats 🍾
www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/holiday...
In addition, Team Cherry says there are millions more playing via Game Pass.
The team shared this as part of its 2025 recap & reveal of its upcoming Sea of Sorrow DLC.
Much-deserved & well worth the wait! Congrats 🍾
www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/holiday...
December 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
7M units sold for Silksong, whew.
In addition, Team Cherry says there are millions more playing via Game Pass.
The team shared this as part of its 2025 recap & reveal of its upcoming Sea of Sorrow DLC.
Much-deserved & well worth the wait! Congrats 🍾
www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/holiday...
In addition, Team Cherry says there are millions more playing via Game Pass.
The team shared this as part of its 2025 recap & reveal of its upcoming Sea of Sorrow DLC.
Much-deserved & well worth the wait! Congrats 🍾
www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/holiday...
Finished up Dispatch this week.
Effectively binged it like a show. And it was fantastic.
Sublime artwork. Exquisite animations. Excellent characters. Expert pacing.
Dialogue walks that fine line between cringe & hilarious, leaning towards the latter.
Highly recommended! 🦸♂️
Effectively binged it like a show. And it was fantastic.
Sublime artwork. Exquisite animations. Excellent characters. Expert pacing.
Dialogue walks that fine line between cringe & hilarious, leaning towards the latter.
Highly recommended! 🦸♂️
December 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Finished up Dispatch this week.
Effectively binged it like a show. And it was fantastic.
Sublime artwork. Exquisite animations. Excellent characters. Expert pacing.
Dialogue walks that fine line between cringe & hilarious, leaning towards the latter.
Highly recommended! 🦸♂️
Effectively binged it like a show. And it was fantastic.
Sublime artwork. Exquisite animations. Excellent characters. Expert pacing.
Dialogue walks that fine line between cringe & hilarious, leaning towards the latter.
Highly recommended! 🦸♂️
Did Bungie announce a "release date" for Marathon without an actual date? Just "March?"
If so, that's.. comical.
While I don't think it will be a Concord Part II, I'm not really sure it can overcome everything going against it to be a major success.
blog.playstation.com/2025/12/15/m...
If so, that's.. comical.
While I don't think it will be a Concord Part II, I'm not really sure it can overcome everything going against it to be a major success.
blog.playstation.com/2025/12/15/m...
Marathon ViDoc highlights the extraction shooters’ dark world and survival challenge
Catch up on what’s new with Bungie’s sci-fi extraction shooter ahead of its March 2026 launch.
blog.playstation.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Did Bungie announce a "release date" for Marathon without an actual date? Just "March?"
If so, that's.. comical.
While I don't think it will be a Concord Part II, I'm not really sure it can overcome everything going against it to be a major success.
blog.playstation.com/2025/12/15/m...
If so, that's.. comical.
While I don't think it will be a Concord Part II, I'm not really sure it can overcome everything going against it to be a major success.
blog.playstation.com/2025/12/15/m...
Matt Booty is one of those execs that rubs me the wrong way. I dunno.
Perhaps it's the corpo-speak, or all the job loss under his team's watch, or the disjointed nature of Xbox's "plan."
At least its studios had solid games in 2025. Props to its devs.
variety.com/2025/gaming/...
Perhaps it's the corpo-speak, or all the job loss under his team's watch, or the disjointed nature of Xbox's "plan."
At least its studios had solid games in 2025. Props to its devs.
variety.com/2025/gaming/...
Xbox Game Studios Boss on Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Call of Duty’ Movie, Launching ‘South of Midnight’ for PS5 and Switch 2, and Big Plans for Dev Direct in January (EXCLUSIVE)
Microsoft's Matt Booty discusses Taylor Sheridan's 'Call of Duty' movie, launching 'South of Midnight' for PS5 and Switch 2, and new Dev Direct plans.
variety.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Matt Booty is one of those execs that rubs me the wrong way. I dunno.
Perhaps it's the corpo-speak, or all the job loss under his team's watch, or the disjointed nature of Xbox's "plan."
At least its studios had solid games in 2025. Props to its devs.
variety.com/2025/gaming/...
Perhaps it's the corpo-speak, or all the job loss under his team's watch, or the disjointed nature of Xbox's "plan."
At least its studios had solid games in 2025. Props to its devs.
variety.com/2025/gaming/...
Congrats to Sandfall and everyone who worked on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on GOTY.
And props to all of 2025's winners. Really a heck of a year for game releases. So much quality. Well-done to all the devs putting in hard work and dedication! 👏
#TheGameAwards
And props to all of 2025's winners. Really a heck of a year for game releases. So much quality. Well-done to all the devs putting in hard work and dedication! 👏
#TheGameAwards
December 12, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Congrats to Sandfall and everyone who worked on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on GOTY.
And props to all of 2025's winners. Really a heck of a year for game releases. So much quality. Well-done to all the devs putting in hard work and dedication! 👏
#TheGameAwards
And props to all of 2025's winners. Really a heck of a year for game releases. So much quality. Well-done to all the devs putting in hard work and dedication! 👏
#TheGameAwards
December 12, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Shout out to the homie @eze7885.bsky.social who said Miss Piggy is getting more screen time at The Game Awards than any of the award winners.
😂
😂
December 12, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Shout out to the homie @eze7885.bsky.social who said Miss Piggy is getting more screen time at The Game Awards than any of the award winners.
😂
😂
I'll be casually checking out TGAs tonight, so it's prediction time!
E33 nearly sweeps. GOTY.
KC: DII wins RPG.
BF6 wins MP.
Yotei snubbed.
Upset: Sonic wins family category.
RE Requiem demo, out now.
Max Payne 1&2 dated. "Fall."
No Half-Life 3.
Spicy: New FromSoft title.
You?
E33 nearly sweeps. GOTY.
KC: DII wins RPG.
BF6 wins MP.
Yotei snubbed.
Upset: Sonic wins family category.
RE Requiem demo, out now.
Max Payne 1&2 dated. "Fall."
No Half-Life 3.
Spicy: New FromSoft title.
You?
December 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I'll be casually checking out TGAs tonight, so it's prediction time!
E33 nearly sweeps. GOTY.
KC: DII wins RPG.
BF6 wins MP.
Yotei snubbed.
Upset: Sonic wins family category.
RE Requiem demo, out now.
Max Payne 1&2 dated. "Fall."
No Half-Life 3.
Spicy: New FromSoft title.
You?
E33 nearly sweeps. GOTY.
KC: DII wins RPG.
BF6 wins MP.
Yotei snubbed.
Upset: Sonic wins family category.
RE Requiem demo, out now.
Max Payne 1&2 dated. "Fall."
No Half-Life 3.
Spicy: New FromSoft title.
You?