The temporary 16-hour TikTok ban, prompted by ByteDance's concerns over incoming President Donald Trump's policies, inadvertently took Marvel Snap, a ByteDance-published mobile game, offline. While TikTok quickly resumed operations, Marvel Snap remained down for over a day, with lingering issues in its shop. Developer Second Dinner was caught off-guard and resorted to recommending VPNs to bypass the ban. In response, Second Dinner pledged to prevent future disruptions by bringing more services in-house and seeking a new publisher. This move comes as ByteDance had previously planned to divest from its gaming arm, Nuverse, but still maintained control over games like Marvel Snap. The incident has raised concerns among players about microtransactions and the game's stability, especially as player numbers were already declining in 2024.

The 13th annual State of the Game Industry Survey, compiled from over 3,000 developer responses, highlights key trends and concerns within the gaming industry. A majority (52%) of developers work for companies using generative AI, with 36% personally utilizing these tools. However, 30% view generative AI negatively, citing issues like IP theft and energy consumption. Business and Finance roles are most likely to use AI (51%), followed by Production/Team Leadership (41%) and Community/Marketing (49%). Concerns about AI-driven job losses persist, despite some executives predicting net job creation. The workforce is diversifying, with women and non-binary developers increasing to 32%, and LGBTQ+ representation at 24%. Layoff concerns vary, with 30% unconcerned, possibly due to "N/A" responses from already laid-off developers. PC remains the top development platform (80%), while interest in live-service games is waning, with only 13% wanting to develop such titles next.

The Pokémon Go "Steeled Resolve" event, running from January 21 to 26, 2025, challenges players with unique Magnetic Lure Modules attracting new Pokémon like Rookidee, Corvisquire, and Corviknight. Players can evolve these Pokémon using specific candies. The event features Field and Timed Research Tasks, including a free Timed Research accessible until January 26 at 8 PM local time, offering missions with rewards. Players can choose to train with Blanche (Marill, Steelix) or Cliff (Shadow Machop, Marowak). A paid $5 Timed Research ticket provides additional exclusive tasks. Event-specific Field Research Tasks are available by spinning PokéStops.

Following his inauguration, President Trump discussed imposing a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, potentially effective February 1. This could significantly impact the video game industry, as much of the production infrastructure for physical discs is based in Mexico. Analyst Mat Piscatella predicts higher prices and a decline in disc-based game releases in the U.S., affecting both physical and digital games due to companies maintaining price parity. Shifting production to the U.S. would require substantial investment and is unlikely given the declining market for physical games. Additionally, a potential 60% tariff on Chinese goods could further affect video games and hardware. Industry experts also speculate that upcoming titles like GTA 6 might trigger another price increase, possibly exceeding $80. Overall, these changes pose challenges for the physical video game market.

Sheetz has launched an exclusive, immersive map within Fortnite, titled "Sheetz Run: Only Up!," marking one of the first convenience store collaborations in the popular video game. This innovative move aims to engage Sheetz’s customer base and attract a new generation of players by integrating the brand into a fun, adventurous experience. Players navigate a surreal world made from Sheetz products, encountering menu items like Made-to-Order sandwiches and Boom Boom sauce. To celebrate, Sheetz is hosting a month-long challenge from January 24 to February 23, offering a $25,000 prize pool for the fastest runs, with the top performer winning $10,000. This initiative underscores Sheetz's commitment to connecting with customers through creative, interactive platforms.

The author shares their experience playing the New York Times' daily word game, Connections, after watching a high-stakes game show, which inadvertently increased their sense of pressure. They discuss the game's mechanics—grouping 16 words into four categories based on connections—and provide hints and answers for the current day’s puzzle. The groups are categorized by color, with yellow being the easiest and purple the most challenging, often involving wordplay. For this particular game, the groups were: putdowns (yellow), small likenesses (green), snow-clearing tools (blue), and doctors in pop culture (purple). The author successfully completed the puzzle, achieving a reverse rainbow and extending their win streak. They also invite readers to join a Discord discussion group for further engagement and feedback.

For over three decades, *The Simpsons* has produced various tie-in video games, ranging from the violent arcade game where players "murder" Mr. Burns to the popular mobile game *The Simpsons: Tapped Out*. Notable among these is *Bart's Nightmare* (1992), a surreal Super Nintendo game featuring Bart battling germs and transforming into a Godzilla-like creature. In Japan, the game's cover art showed Bart with five fingers instead of the usual four, possibly due to cultural sensitivities. Cartoon characters typically have four fingers to save costs and avoid uncanny valley effects, but in Japan, this can be misinterpreted as a reference to Yakuza rituals or discrimination against the burakumin caste. Some argue these concerns are exaggerated, but the finger modification highlights the cultural nuances influencing media adaptation.

2025 promises to be a landmark year in gaming, highlighted by the launch of Nintendo's new console, the Nintendo Switch 2, and a plethora of highly anticipated titles. Key releases include Civilization VII, which brings the iconic strategy series into the next generation, and Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment's first-person RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. SEGA’s Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii offers a unique twist on the Yakuza franchise, while Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds expands on the successful Monster Hunter World. Other notable entries are Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in Feudal Japan, and Elden Ring: Nightreign, offering cooperative gameplay in the Lands Between. Fans can also look forward to major titles like Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, Fable 4, Ghost of Yotei, Grand Theft Auto VI, and Metroid Prime 4. These games span various genres and platforms, ensuring an exciting year for gamers worldwide.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins, developed by Koei-Tecmo’s Omega Force, revitalizes the long-standing series with fresh gameplay mechanics and a compelling narrative. After previous entries became repetitive, this tenth installment offers a welcome change by focusing on a single protagonist, the Wanderer, who regains memories and powers throughout the game. Players can now use any weapon type, unlocking unique abilities for each. Combat is more challenging, requiring strategic use of light and heavy attacks, bravery-based abilities, and musou moves. Large, intricate maps and engaging cutscenes enhance the experience, allowing players to feel like heroes in epic battles. Despite some criticism regarding the Wanderer's lack of personality, Origins successfully returns to the core appeal of the franchise, delivering thrilling action and a deep connection to Chinese historical lore.

Video game prices have steadily increased, with triple-A titles now priced at $70, and analysts speculate that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) could set a new benchmark at $100. Industry insiders, like Michael Douse from Larian Studios, criticize this trend, noting that while companies aim for higher profits, there's a limit to what consumers will pay. GTA 6, being highly anticipated, might see millions paying the premium price, but it's uncertain if other games can follow suit. Despite inflation, game prices haven't risen proportionally, raising concerns about industry practices. Companies may also introduce premium editions and in-game purchases to maximize revenue. Many gamers opt for cheaper alternatives or wait for sales, highlighting the potential risks of further price hikes in 2025.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, is facing scrutiny over claims he enlisted help to achieve top scores in competitive gaming. Musk has boasted about his gaming prowess on his platform X, earning praise from influencers. However, some players accuse him of falsifying his standings, with one YouTube analysis calling it “the biggest gaming fraud in history.” In direct messages, Musk seemed to admit to receiving assistance for climbing leaderboards in Path of Exile 2 but insisted his streamed content is genuine. Despite controversy, Musk has neither confirmed nor denied cheating allegations. Notably, Grimes and Shivon Zilis defended Musk's gaming abilities, adding complexity to the debate.

Whisper Mountain Outbreak, from Toge Productions, is an upcoming isometric co-op Survival Horror game set to release in Q3 2025. Inspired by Capcom’s Resident Evil Outbreak, it transports players to 1998, where a mining operation on Mount Bisik unleashes ancient horrors. Players must navigate a fog-covered town, battling monsters and solving puzzles with limited resources. Teamwork is crucial, as players scavenge for supplies, protect each other, and uncover the mystery behind the outbreak. Featuring melee and ranged combat, resource management, and a safe house for regrouping, the game emphasizes communication and cooperation. Through notes and NPC interactions, players will unravel the dark history of the town and its inhabitants. A demo is already available for those eager to experience this chilling adventure.