2015 vs. 2025: What People Played Then and Now

In today’s digital landscape, approximately 5 million video games are available worldwide across all platforms and genres. On Steam alone, 18,838 games were released in 2024, with 5,778 new titles added in the first few months of 2025. This shows a substantial increase from 2015, when only 2,824 games were launched on the platform.

So what were the top games in 2015, and which will lead in 2025?

In 2015, the video game industry experienced significant growth driven by blockbuster franchises, which achieved impressive sales. Call of Duty: Black Ops III led the chart with 21.7 million units sold, featuring a campaign designed to support up to four-player cooperative gameplay and implement a more realistic movement system. Close behind was Fallout 4 from Bethesda, with 15 million units sold — an RPG with a branching story and open world that supported the modding community. The sports title FIFA 16 took third place with 14.3 million units sold and stood out for introducing women's national teams.

That year, the trend of open worlds also started to gain popularity, with titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Batman: Arkham Knight, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, and Fallout 4. The minimum Metacritic score for these games was 73. Virtual Reality (VR) was at the top of its popularity with Oculus Rift’s rise and Facebook’s acquisition, opening the potential for immersive gaming experiences.

As for 2025, some standout titles have captured players’ attention. Monster Hunter Wilds is the most popular game of 2025 so far, dominating U.S. sales in February with over 8 million copies sold within its first three days. The game was also a streaming hit, generating over 34 million watch hours in its first week. Its simultaneous release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC with full crossplay support allows people to play together regardless of platform. Another successful title is Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which sold over 2.75 million copies worldwide by April 2025, primarily on Steam. The game offers an improved combat system, deep quest design, and realistic NPC behavior. Civilization 7 was also a popular title, which set a new pre-order franchise record, according to Take-Two Interactive.

Some titles have remained popular since 2015. For example, Call of Duty remains a flagship shooter franchise, even after a decade. The game continues to evolve by introducing new mechanics and innovative multiplayer features. In 2015, Call of Duty: Black Ops III sold approximately 21.7 million copies, while by the end of 2024, the entire Call of Duty franchise had reached around 500 million copies sold worldwide, demonstrating huge growth over the decade. Grand Theft Auto V remains a top seller a decade after its release, thanks to content updates, online multiplayer modes, and cross-generational platform support. Sports franchises like NBA 2K and Madden NFL consistently release updates with realistic gameplay and esports integration.

In 2025, even traditionally single-player games incorporate social features, blurring the lines between solo and multiplayer experiences. GTA VI, for instance, is expected to include social elements alongside its single-player campaign. Games now feature AI-driven narratives and NPC behaviors that change based on player choices, creating personalized experiences rather than fixed storylines. Moreover, there is a trend of open-world games such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Monster Hunter Wilds, Crimson Desert, and Grand Theft Auto VI that emphasize realism and social interaction. Player creativity is becoming central, with games supporting modding, content creation, and social platforms creating community-driven experiences (e.g., Roblox, Fortnite Creative). According to Fortnite.gg, there are over 42,000 creators and more than 327,000 custom maps available in Creative mode.

Overall, the trend over the past decade has shifted toward games offering significantly more content and complexity, reflecting higher player expectations for depth, immersion, and replayability.

To stay in tune and anticipate what's next, examining the most anticipated games of 2025 is crucial. Here are some of the biggest upcoming releases:

As the gaming industry continues to develop, indie developers are becoming an essential part of driving innovation in gaming. In our upcoming anniversary article, we’ll explore the world of indie game development, analyze the key factors behind their popularity, and provide notable success stories. Don't miss it!