From platforms to players: 2025 reflections, 2026 predictions

Welcome to The Business of Games Podcast, brought to you by Xsolla.In this episode, hosts Chris Hewish and Lia Ballentine close out the year with a special look back at 2025 and a forward look at the trends that will define 2026.Instead of a single topic, this one pulls together voices from across the games ecosystem, from studios to platforms to service partners:Arron Goolsbey (COO, Mythical Games)David Kim (Publishing & Marketing Leader, Web3 Advisor)Jenny Xu (Founder & CEO, Talofa Games)Lauren Baca (Global VP of Marketing, Xsolla)Mark Long (CEO, Villain Studios)Olivier Perbet (Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer, IO Interactive)Travis Anderson (Global Head of Business Development, Xsolla Ads)Together, they help map out how the business of games is changing, from regulation and revenue models to AI workflows, creator ecosystems, and the emotional realities of building games through another turbulent year.We start with 2025 in review: platform rules shifting after Epic v. Google, the surprising rise of younger creators, the erosion of AAA’s monopoly, and the pressure facing studios as layoffs and pivots ripple through the industry.From there, we turn to five key predictions for 2026:How regulation and open ecosystems could finally rebalance power between platforms and developersWhy mobile is becoming the entry point to cross-device, transmedia game universesHow AI will quietly become the creative “engine room” behind smaller, faster, more focused teamsWhy web shops will evolve from off-platform checkout pages into full player hubs and loyalty layersHow the line between player and creator will dissolve as communities help shape both development and business modelsFinally, we close with the human side of change: candid reflections on mental health, resilience, imposter syndrome, and gratitude for the careers and communities that make all of this possible.By the end, you’ll have a clear snapshot of what 2025 actually changed and a practical sense of where to focus as 2026 begins.Let’s get into it.For more insights and resources, visit xsolla.com/podcast. Want to join the conversation? Follow and comment on our LinkedIn page at The Business of Games Podcast. That’s where we’ll be sharing updates, highlights, and continuing the discussion. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share the podcast with friends who want to learn more about the business of games.