'GTA VI' delay weighs on global videogame market growth, data shows
June 17 (Reuters) - The global videogame market's growth rate is expected to improve marginally in 2025 from the previous year, according to a report from research firm Newzoo, seen exclusively by Reuters on Tuesday.
Analysts and industry experts had projected a surge in industry growth this year due to the expected blockbuster launch of Take-Two's (TTWO.O), opens new tab "Grand Theft Auto VI" and new consoles.
However, the delay of the long-awaited title to next year and price hikes to videogame hardware, arising from tariffs, have made consumer spending uncertain.
The global videogame market is projected to grow 3.4% to $188.9 billion in 2025, compared with last year's growth of 3.2%, according to the report.
"This forecast reflects concrete changes, hardware cycles, pricing trends, install base growth, and title pipelines," said Michiel Buijsman, principle analyst at Newzoo.
Compounded annually, Newzoo expects the market to grow 3.3% till 2027, compared with its earlier forecast of 3.7%.
As "GTA VI" is scheduled to launch in 2026, the industry will most likely see the boost from sales next year along with the release of other premium titles such as Capcom's (9697.T), opens new tab "Resident Evil Requiem."
The launch of "GTA VI" on PC is also expected to carry growth through 2027, the report said.
Price increases to Microsoft's (MSFT.O), opens new tab Xbox and Sony's (6758.T), opens new tab PlayStation devices have sparked fears of slower hardware sales as consumers globally grapple with market uncertainty, even as Nintendo's (7974.T), opens new tab Switch 2 became the company's fastest-selling console.
Xbox also unveiled its own handheld console, the Xbox Ally, earlier this month, developed in partnership with ASUS (2357.TW), opens new tab and set to launch in holidays 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Skip Bayless slams 'sellout' Tom Brady for 'kissing LeBron James' a**' in latest bizarre rant
Skip Bayless' latest bizarre rant has dropped, with two of his favorite targets in his crosshairs again, with him accusing Tom Brady of 'kissing LeBron James a**'. Bayless took exception with LeBron James' live episode of 'The Shop' that took place during Fanatics Fest in New York City last weekend. Brady was one of James' guests, with the compliments between two of America's greatest sportsmen too much for the 73-year-old to bare. 'Tell me I'm wrong about this, LeBron James just can't help himself. He, just can't hide his runaway insecurity,' Bayless began. 'Over knowing deep, deep down that he will never ever be seen as the greatest basketball player ever, by those who really know the game, by anyone who really matters.' 'And yeah, I know that over the weekend Tom Brady called LeBron James the greatest ever while sitting up on stage with LeBron at the Fanatics Fest in New York City. What a sellout Tom Brady has become post-football off the field, and he was undoubtedly the greatest football player ever on the field.' 'All-time great clutch competitor, Tom Brady, but man, when it comes to maximizing his money, Tom Brady will say and do whatever is required to polish his good guy image. He loves everybody and everybody loves Tom Brady. And he even kissed LeBron's a** in front of LeBron because he knows how many billions of followers, how many fans LeBron has, and what a powerful financial alliance he could form with the King post football, probably post basketball for LeBron.' 'So, Tom Brady rather pathetically said of LeBron in front of LeBron to the Fanatics Fest crowd, the live audience, and here's the quote, "He's always done things the right way. He's always risen above the noise and the BS and continued to deliver. So you're witnessing the greatest ever, and I hope you guys appreciate that."' Bayless has been a vocal critic of James throughout his NBA career and been in a tiff with Brady over the last several weeks. Earlier this week, Bayless left fans baffled with a rant about the NBA Draft and white basketball players - referencing himself as a 'reverse racist'. 'Cooper Flagg will be the best white American player since Larry Bird,' Bayless said. 'I'm not saying that I'm seeing Larry Bird [in Flagg], not yet, because I've never seen anything like Larry Bird when it came to clutch gene, basketball genius IQ, killer will, defiant arrogant trash-talking confidence, all-time great leadership right up there with Michael Jordan 's, Magic Johnson 's. 'So is it fair for me to compare white American player to white American player? Well if you followed my career, when it came to basketball - I have been painfully honest about this - I have never ever had much respect, much use for, white American players.' From there, the conversation veered further off-course and Bayless began to speak about the issue of racism. 'In fact,' he claimed, 'many many many times over my career I've been called reverse racist... but, come on, show me a white American player remotely close to Larry Bird since he retired in 1992. 'Cooper Flagg is 6'9
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
ALEX BRUMMER: 'Genius Act' in US compared to Free Banking Era
There long has been something of the Wild West about American banking. The Bank of England has been the backstop for Britain's monetary system since it was founded in 1694. The Federal Reserve only came into being in 1913 to avert banking and financial panics and bring order to a chaotic dollar issuance. Donald Trump and free market advocates are not fond of a monetary system which imposes the same rules across all 50 states and is the sole source of fiat money backed by the government. It offends the idea of a libertarian commonwealth. Enthusiastic backing for crypto currencies, despite the susceptibility to fraud, is part of the mantra. Entryism by bitcoin into the investment firmament, through exchange-traded funds and the creation of the Trump family's own crypto currency, reflect dissonance with central controls. At present, Wall Street eyes are on the struggle over succession at the Federal Reserve when Jay Powell's term ends next year. On the horizon is a challenge for US central banking which reaches far beyond the next leader of the Fed. The 'Genius Act', currently before Congress, seeks to supplement the dollar through the creation of stable coins which would enable American firms to issue their own currencies. The US would be a place where there were dozens of stable coins, issued by the likes of Walmart, Amazon and Starbucks competing against each other. The plan is that a stable coin, tethered in some way to the dollar, also could be issued by federally insured banks such as JP Morgan Chase. Firms or banks issuing less than $10billion of stable coins would be regulated by each of the states of the union. Issue more, and federal regulators would be in charge. The outcome has been compared by Berkeley economics professor Barry Eichengreen to the Free Banking Era between 1830 and the US Civil War. An America deeply sceptical of elites allowed any person or business with surplus funds to open their own bank and issue their own dollars. Some 18 US states issued their own bank notes and triggered mayhem, with shopkeepers unsure of which dollars were safe to accept. In 21st-century Britain, there is a reluctance of merchants and consumers down South to accept the Scottish pound, even though it is fiat money accepted and backed by the Bank of England. Imagine then the bedlam in the 21st-century United States if there were dozens, or even hundreds, of stable coins circulating and no one was quite sure of the bona fides of issuers. How any central bank could be expected to control monetary policy or protect banks from failure is impossible to know. The Genius Act is not fanciful. MAGA Republicans on Capitol Hill might have the votes to pass it, or something like it, into law. The prospect is scary enough for the Bank for International Settlements in Basel to warn against the rise of stable coins, linked to the dollar, arguing they should not be permitted to become part of the global monetary system. It also notes that crypto assets, hidden in secret wallets, facilitate illicit use. Backers of the Genius Act are warned. The concern must be that libertarian fervour and distrust of global institutions is so embedded in American culture that caution will be thrown to the wind.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I'm a hairdresser – there's a phrase new clients say that's a total red flag… it crosses the line and annoys us
NO MATTER how long you've known your hairdresser, getting a big chop can always be a but nerve-wracking. But if you are going to a new hairstylist, there's one phrase you might want to avoid if you want to stay on their good side. 2 2 This is according to one hairdresser, to took to TikTok to explain how that all important client-hairdresser relationship can go awry. The pro, who goes by @mobilestylisthubclub online, dished the dirt on social media. So, what's the phrase you should avoid? Well, apparently if you tell your new styler 'my old hairdresser used to do my hair like this' before explaining, it might not go down so well. The hairdresser went on to share some tips for other professionals if they ever find themselves in the sticky situation. Rather than telling clients to 'go back to them then', the pro suggested a few alternatives. She said: "[You could] say, 'Rather than showing me how your old hairdresser used to do your hair, can you show me some images of what you're hoping to achieve and I'll see if they' will work with your hair type/texture?'" Not only that, but the pro urged other hairstylists to say something alone the lines of: 'I appreciate you may be nervous about having your hair done by another hairdresser, but you are in safe hands'. "Reassure them and help to calm their nerves," she said. Of course, clients might still not be completely on board, and if they keep bringing up how their old stylist would do their hair it might be no use. In the case, the pro said you might not be a great match for the client. "Do your best to offer the best possible outcome, and politely explain that you may not be a good fit for each other," she said. After sharing the advice, other stylists chimed in to share how they deal with similar situations. One said: "I normally ask what they liked about how they did it or I'll explain why I do it differently." A second chimed in: "I don't see this comment as a problem, if they liked it that way I would try to do it the way she wanted." "I don't see this as an issue," another agreed. Hairstyles that are kind to your locks Loose Braids: Opt for loose, soft braids rather than tight ones to minimise tension on the scalp and reduce breakage. Low Ponytail: A low ponytail is less stressful on your hair compared to high, tight ponytails. Use a fabric-covered hair tie to avoid snagging. Messy Bun: A relaxed, messy bun can be both stylish and kind to your hair. Avoid pulling your hair too tightly and use gentle hair ties. Soft Waves: Embrace your natural texture or use heatless methods to create soft waves, reducing the need for damaging heat styling tools. Half-Up, Half-Down: This style keeps some hair pulled back while leaving the rest down, reducing the strain on your scalp. Headbands and Scarves: Using headbands or scarves can keep hair out of your face without causing damage, and they can be quite fashionable. Loose Plaits for Sleeping: Before bed, loosely plait your hair to prevent tangles and breakage overnight.
