The Summer Game Fest, a sprawling series of livestreams that has replaced the traditional E3 expo, once again delivered a deluge of video game announcements. With showcases from PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and numerous indie events, it can be overwhelming to keep track. Here are the eight key trends I observed from watching hours of trailers and presentations.
Single-Player Games Are Back in Style
After years of publishers chasing live-service and multiplayer titles, this year's Summer Game Fest was dominated by single-player experiences. Expansive, narrative-driven games like God of War: Laufey, Marvel's Wolverine, Exodus from former Naughty Dog developers, and Crossfire showcased cinematic storytelling. Even Persona 6, the latest in Atlus's beloved JRPG series, made a surprise appearance. While this shift is exciting, I worry about market saturation—can all these high-budget titles turn a profit?
Horror Games Are Everywhere
Horror is having a moment across all media, and video games are no exception. From iconic franchises like Silent Hill: Townfall and Resident Evil: Veronica to indie gems like Tenebris Somnia (a pixel-art point-and-click with live-action cutscenes) and Catechesis (inspired by Deadly Premonition), the genre was well-represented. There was even a rhythm horror game, Wicked Delights. The level of gore in many trailers was notable, with decapitations and visceral violence becoming almost commonplace.
Y2K Nostalgia Is In
Microsoft celebrated 25 years of Xbox with a transparent-green special edition console ad set in a 2001 teenager's bedroom. The PC Gaming Show went full retro with a late-90s sitcom set. Beyond aesthetics, we saw revivals of early-2000s genres like anti-gravity racers and skating games, alongside actual returns of Crazy Taxi, Virtua Fighter, Rayman, and Spyro the Dragon.
Chinese Action Games Take Center Stage
Following the success of Black Myth: Wukong, Chinese-developed action games were prominent. Titles like Dinghai: The Ocean Pillar, Blood Message, and Swords of Legends looked polished and ambitious, while Where Winds Meet is now available on Xbox.
Almost Everything Was Pre-Recorded
Except for the main Summer Game Fest stage show, every other presentation was pre-recorded without a live audience. While this eliminates awkward pauses, it also removes the energy of live reactions. The era of spontaneous moments like Keanu Reeves's appearance at E3 2019 seems distant.
Xbox Revives Console Exclusives
Under new leadership, Xbox is keeping select games exclusive to its platform, including a new Gears of War and the steampunk Clockwork Revolution. However, many other titles will eventually launch on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch 2.
Horror Fishing Games: A Micro-Trend
Two horror fishing games were announced: Last Harbor (a zombie survival game set on a boat) and Dread Moor (fishing on eerie seas). This niche trend likely owes its existence to the 2023 hit Dredge.
AI Art Is Now Avoided
After last year's prevalence of games using generative AI art, studios are now distancing themselves from the technology. The new Crazy Taxi faced backlash over its AI disclosure on Steam, signaling a shift in industry sentiment.
With these trends in mind, the gaming landscape is clearly evolving. Whether you're excited for single-player epics, horror experiences, or retro revivals, Summer Game Fest offered something for everyone.
