As we usher in a new year of architectural excellence, the winning practices from the 12th A+Awards are setting new benchmarks for design innovation. Spanning diverse sizes, regions, and specializations, these 28 studios emerged as leaders in the Best Firm Categories. Each was judged on the strength of their portfolio, showcasing projects that redefine creativity and impact in the built environment. Ready to join their ranks? Submit your firm for the prestigious A+Firm Award today:Apply for a Best Firm AwardJurors evaluated a range of criteria, celebrating firms that made extraordinary contributions across disciplines. This years honorees reflect a profound commitment to addressing global challenges, from advancing sustainable design and mitigating climate change to creating accessible, inclusive, and community-focused spaces. Their visionary work underscores architectures vital role in shaping a better future.Here are the trailblazing firms defining architecture and design for 2025Best Interior Design FirmconcreteJury Winner, Best Interior Design Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Amsterdam, The NetherlandsPictured projects: The Botree Hotel & Bar, London, United Kingdom ; Restaurant 212, Amsterdam, NetherlandsWith an unapologetically bold approach to design, concrete thrives on shattering dogmas and redefining norms across architecture, interior design, urban development and branding. Founded in 1997, the multidisciplinary studio of over 50 creatives blends architects, interior designers and visual marketeers into a dynamic team that crafts concepts as striking as they are functional.Rejecting abstract theories in favor of tangible, results-driven solutions, concretes projects provoke thought and unite people. Their iconic contributions include citizenM hotels, where their visionary approach has revolutionized hospitality design with modular luxury and a focus on user-centric experiences. Across industries, their work balances a playful philosophy with practical rigor, delivering spaces that are as commercially viable as they are unforgettable. At its core, concrete embraces creativity without compromise, exploring unorthodox ideas to uncover the best answers rather than the easiest solutions.ARRCCPopular Choice Winner, Best Interior Design Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Cape Town, South AfricaPictured projects: Glen Villa, Cape Town, South Africa ; Upper Albert, Cape Town, South AfricaARRCC redefines interior design with a focus on crafting spaces that are both luxurious and deeply connected to their surroundings. The studios breathtaking work integrates architecture, context and environment to create interiors that are refined and emotive. Notable projects include Glen Villa, where elegant design enhances connections to the surrounding landscape, and Winelands Villa, which blends contemporary interpretations of vernacular architecture with its rehabilitated natural setting.ARRCCs interiors showcase a commitment to innovation and authenticity, balancing comfort with unexpected design elements. Their approach transforms spaces into memorable experiences, setting a new standard for modern interior design.Best Landscape Design FirmDesign WorkshopJury Winner, Best Landscape Design Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm locations: Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles, California; Aspen and Denver, Colorado; Raleigh, North Carolina; Austin and Houston, TexasPictured projects: Riverfront Park, Denver, Colorado ; Titletown Plaza at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WisconsinDesign Workshop is celebrated for its transformative landscape designs that prioritize ecological resilience and community well-being. With a focus on integrating natural and built environments, the firm creates spaces that are both functional and visually striking. Their work sets a benchmark for sustainable design, fostering meaningful connections between people and their surroundings while elevating the role of landscape architecture in contemporary living.By addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, Design Workshop delivers landscapes that inspire and endure. Key projects include the 70 Rainey Sky Garden in Austin, a rooftop oasis blending urban living with vibrant greenery, and Highlands Retreat in Aspen, where thoughtful design harmonizes with the mountain ecosystem.OKRAPopular Choice Winner, Best Landscape Design Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Utrecht, NetherlandsPictured projects: Katwijk Coastal Defense, Katwijk, Netherlands ; Oosterspoorbaan Park, Utrecht, NetherlandsCelebrated for its innovative approach to landscape design, OKRA Landscape Architects transforms urban spaces into healthier, more sustainable environments. The firm focuses on projects that balance ecological resilience with cultural and social impact.Some of the Utrect-based firms most notable works include the Catharijnesingel in Utrecht, where a former highway was reimagined as a vibrant canal and green public space, and the Holstebro Storaa Stream in Denmark, revitalizing riverbanks into a cultural and ecological hub. OKRAs work integrates nature and urban life, delivering forward-thinking solutions to modern challenges.Best Large Firm (41+ employees)Foster + PartnersJury Winner, Best Large Firm (41+ employees), 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: London, United KingdomPictured projects: ICNE, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg ; Apple Fifth Avenue, New York City, New YorkSince its founding in 1967 by Norman Foster, Foster + Partners has evolved into a global leader in sustainable design and architectural innovation. Their projects blend technology, energy efficiency and human-centric solutions, redefining modern architecture. With a focus on creating spaces that inspire and endure, Foster + Partners continues to shape the future of sustainable design on a global scale.In their reobust and well-known profile, some highlights include the Millennium Bridge in London, an elegant pedestrian link between St. Pauls Cathedral and Tate Modern, and the Reichstag in Berlin, where a glass dome symbolizes transparency and incorporates cutting-edge sustainable systems. Apple Park in California and 30 St Mary Axe further showcase their commitment to integrating natural elements and reducing environmental impact.Montalba ArchitectsPopular Choice Winner, Best Large Firm (41+ employees), 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Santa Monica, California; New York City, New York; Lausanne, SwitzerlandPictured projects: Bex & Arts, Bex, Switzerland ; LR2 House, Pasadena, CaliforniaFounded in 2004 by David Montalba, Montalba Architects creates architecture that harmonizes contextual sensitivity with conceptual innovation. The firms projects span residential, retail, commercial and hospitality sectors, delivering designs that balance functionality with artistic expression.With an emphasis on volumetric landscapes, material integrity, and sculpting natural light, Montalba Architects crafts environments that are socially responsive and visually compelling. Their designs redefine how architecture interacts with its surroundings, setting a benchmark for modern, context-driven design.Best Medium Firm (16 40 employees)Alison Brooks ArchitectsJury Winner, Best Medium Firm (16 40 employees), 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: London, United KingdomPictured projects: Lens House, London, United Kingdom ; Mesh House, London, United KingdomFounded in 1996 by Alison Brooks, this London-based practice is celebrated for its contextually responsive designs that blend sculptural forms with cultural and environmental sensitivity. The firms projects span urban, housing, cultural and educational sectors, delivering solutions that are both innovative and deeply rooted in place.Alison Brooks Architects creates spaces that resonate with their users while addressing social and environmental challenges. Through a commitment to cultural research and generous city-building, the studio shapes architecture that enriches communities and redefines modern design. Notable works include Cohen Quad at Exeter College, Oxford, a harmonious contemporary addition to the historic campus, and The Smile, a groundbreaking exploration of timber construction.REXPopular Choice Winner, Best Medium Firm (16 40 employees), 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location:New York City, New YorkPictured projects: Necklace Residence, New York ; Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center, New York City, New YorkREX is a design-forward architecture studio known for rethinking building typologies to create spaces that empower users and transform their environments. Led by Joshua Prince-Ramus, the firms work explores bold, functional solutions with striking aesthetic appeal.A couple of key projects by the NYC-based firm include the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center, a cube-like structure that redefines New York Citys cultural landscape, and the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in Dallas, an innovative venue designed for ultimate flexibility.With a focus on challenging conventions, REX delivers designs that are both contextually responsive and visionary, setting new standards for contemporary architecture through a commitment to innovation and architectural agency.Best Small Firm (6 15 employees)Omar Gandhi ArchitectsJury Winner, Best Small Firm (6 15 employees), 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location:Toronto and Halifax, CanadaPictured projects: Rabbit Snare Gorge, Inverness, Canada ; Leaf House, Collingwood, CanadaFounded in 2010, Omar Gandhi Architects is celebrated for its contextually driven designs that merge functionality with bold aesthetic vision. The firms work emphasizes a deep connection to place, crafting architecture that responds to its natural and cultural surroundings.From the Rockbound House, a striking residence embedded in the rugged Atlantic coastline, to the OG Home & Studio, a dual-purpose space blending living and working environments,Omar Gandhi Architects creates architecture that resonates deeply with its surroundings, redefining how contemporary spaces can inspire and connect.Hugh Broughton ArchitectsPopular Choice Winner, Best Small Firm (6 15 employees), 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location:London, United KingdomPictured projects: Halley VI Antarctic Research Station, Antarctica ; Maidstone Museum East Wing, Maidstone, United KingdomFounded in 1995, Hugh Broughton Architects has established itself as a leader in creating innovative designs for challenging environments and historic contexts. With a small but dynamic team, the practice delivers projects that balance technical ingenuity with aesthetic sensitivity.Hugh Broughton Architects demonstrates how a focused and collaborative team can achieve remarkable results. Key works include the Halley VI Antarctic Research Station, a modular structure designed to endure polar extremes, and the conservation of Cliffords Tower, which enhances visitor access while preserving its historical essence. Taken as a whole, their oeuvre combines cutting-edge solutions with a respect for context, creating spaces that are both resilient and inspiring.Best X-Small Firm (1 5 employees)Lechner & Lechner ArchitectsJury Winner, Best X-Small Firm (1 5 employees), 12th Annual A+AwardsPhoto by Julian HoeckFirm location:Salzburg, AustriaPictured projects: Alpines Bauen, Kitzbuhel, Austria ; intergenerational interweaving, Saalfelden, AustriaWith a team of just 1-5 professionals, Lechner & Lechner Architects has achieved remarkable impact through thoughtful, sustainable designs. Founded in 1987 by Christine and Horst Lechner, the Salzburg-based studio specializes in projects that harmonize with historical contexts and natural surroundings.Notable works include the Youth Hostel Gerlos, an eco-conscious alpine retreat for school groups, and the House Above the Trees, a serene residence nestled within a forested landscape. Lechner & Lechner Architects proves that small teams can deliver big results, crafting spaces that are both practical and poetic, elevating the potential of small-scale architectural practice.FrankFranco ArchitectsPopular Choice Winner, Best X-Small Firm (1 5 employees), 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location:Toronto, CanadaPictured projects: Sinatra Cabana, Toronto, Canada ; Clubhouse, Toronto, CanadaWith a nimble team, FrankFranco Architects exemplifies the power of small-scale precision and creativity. Founded in 2013 by Frank Di Sarra, the firm specializes in modern residential and commercial projects that harmonize functionality with elegant design.From Clubhouse, a hillside residence overlooking the National Golf Club of Canada, to The National, a wooded retreat blending contemporary forms with its natural surroundings, each project reflects the studios commitment to site-specific solutions and personalized design. FrankFranco Architects demonstrates how a boutique practice can achieve remarkable results, crafting spaces that are both impactful and deeply rooted in their context, proving that a small firm size is no limitation to excellence.Best Sole PractitionerCenterfield StudioJury Winner, Best Sole Practitioner, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location:Portland, OregonPictured projects: Fernwood, Portland, Oregon ; Amber Place, Portland, OregonFounded in 2016 by Donnie Schmidt, Centerfield Studio exemplifies the creativity and precision possible within a sole practitioners practice. Specializing in residential and mixed-use projects, Schmidt delivers thoughtful designs that reflect his meticulous attention to detail and deep connection to site and materiality.Notable projects include the Summit Residence, a cliffside home designed to maximize breathtaking lake views, and Burnt Tree Farm, a rejuvenated mid-century home inspired by its vineyard surroundings. Through a singular vision and commitment to personalized design, Centerfield Studio has carved a distinctive place in the architectural landscape, creating spaces that blend innovation, functionality and timeless beauty.gne ArchitecturePopular Choice Winner, Best Sole Practitioner, 12th Annual A+AwardsPictured projects: Polarstar, Edwards, Colorado; Park Avenue Penthouse, New York City, New YorkFounded in 2005 by Greg Epstein, gne Architecture exemplifies the power of singular vision in architecture. As a sole practitioner, Epstein has built a practice defined by meticulous craftsmanship and inventive, client-focused solutions across residential and commercial projects.Through a personalized and collaborative approach, gne Architecture has carved a distinct identity in the industry, delivering designs that balance creativity and precision while reflecting the artistry of a dedicated sole practitioner. Key works include the transformation of a Midtown Manhattan townhouse, merging historic charm with contemporary design, and the Plaza Residence, where custom details enhance a landmarked interior.Best Young FirmAtelier LAbriJury Winner, Best Young Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location:Montral, CanadaPictured projects: Territoire Charlevoix, La Malbaie, Canada ; La Pointe, Notre-Dame-du-Laus, CanadaFounded in 2013, Atelier LAbri has quickly gained recognition for its sustainable, human-centered designs and innovative design-build approach. The Montral-based firm delivers turn-key projects that balance contemporary aesthetics with environmental stewardship, reflecting a commitment to thoughful craftsmanship.In just a decade, the studio has redefined modern architecture through projects that engage with their natural surroundings and enrich the lives of their users, setting a new benchmark for sustainable design in Canada and beyond. Some notable works include Maison Melba, a reimagined 1970s garage transformed into a vibrant community hub, and Schnee-Eule Residence, a family home that harmonizes with its snowy forest setting.PMT PartnersPopular Choice Winner, Best Young Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Guangzhou, ChinaPictured projects: SHEERIN Pavilion for 2023 Guangzhou Design Week, Guangzhou, China ; CHARLIES TEA Pavilion, Guangzhou, ChinaFounded in 2016, PMT Partners has rapidly emerged as a dynamic force in architecture and interior design. The firms innovative approach balances bold creativity with practical solutions, delivering projects that challenge traditional spatial norms. Notable works include the JIAMILA Islamic Fashion Flagship Store in Yiwu, which fuses local cultural motifs with contemporary Islamic design, and the GEMART Smart Home Showroom in Guangzhou, a cutting-edge interactive retail environment.PMT Partners ability to craft transformative spaces in a short span highlights their commitment to pushing design boundaries. Through unconventional layouts and thoughtful materiality, the studio continues to redefine modern architecture, creating spaces that resonate with culture, technology, and the senses.Best Young Interior Design FirmLeckie Studio Architecture + DesignJury Winner, Best Young Interior Design Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Vancouver, CanadaPictured projects: TripTych, Vancouver, Canada; AE.R Skinlab, Vancouver, CanadaFounded in 2015, Leckie Studio Architecture + Design has quickly established itself as a leader in innovative, context-driven interiors. The studios interdisciplinary approach combines architecture, interiors and product design to craft cohesive, transformative environments.Leckie Studios designs prioritize environmental sensitivity and a commitment to discovery, resulting in interiors that are functional, evocative, and deeply connected to their surroundings. Notable interiors include Courtyard House, where biophilic principles and minimalist design create serene, light-filled spaces, and Arcana, a series of forest cabins designed to blur boundaries between indoors and nature.Atelier Cho ThompsonPopular Choice Winner, Best Young Interior Design Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: San Francisco, California; New Haven, ConnecticutPictured projects: Goodwater Collective, Burlingame, California ; Leather Factory, Boston, MassachusettsFounded in 2014, Atelier Cho Thompson redefines interior design through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates architecture, graphics, and brand strategy. Their work creates cohesive, concept-driven environments that balance functionality with artistic expression. Notable projects include Interwoven, an installation in New Yorks Flatiron Plaza celebrating community through vibrant, interactive elements, and the Goodwater Collective, a workspace merging practicality with striking visual design.By exploring the intersections of disciplines, Atelier Cho Thompson transforms interiors into memorable experiences. Their designs demonstrate the power of thoughtful, integrated interior design to inspire and connect, showcasing their expertise in crafting innovative and contextually resonant spaces.Best Adaptive Reuse and Renovation FirmNeri & HuJury Winner, Best Adaptive Reuse and Renovation Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Shanghai, ChinaPictured projects: The Walled Tsingpu Yangzhou Retreat, Yangzhou, China ; Shan-shui: A Duality | The Chuan Malt Whisky Distillery, Leshan, ChinaNeri&Hu redefines adaptive reuse and renovation through designs that expertly blend history and modernity. Founded in 2004 by Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, the firm excels in transforming existing structures into culturally rich, contemporary spaces that speak as much to the past as they do to the future.With a deep respect for context and heritage, Neri&Hus adaptive reuse projects craft compelling narratives that honor the past while embracing the present. Their work bridges architectural eras, creating environments that are both timeless and forward-looking, redefining how spaces evolve with their surroundings and users.AP VallettaPopular Choice Winner, Best Adaptive Reuse and Renovation Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location:Valetta, Malta; London, United KingdomPictured projects: Valletta City Gate, Valletta, Malta ; Villa Castro, Naxxar, MaltaAP Valletta specializes in blending contemporary design with the preservation of Maltas rich architectural heritage. Since its founding in 1991, the firm has developed a reputation for adaptive reuse and sustainable restoration. Key projects include the Valletta Waterfront, which revitalizes historic Pinto Stores into a vibrant terminal and commercial hub, and the Barrakka Lift, an elegant infrastructure solution seamlessly linking Vallettas harbor with its cityscape.With a focus on honoring historical contexts while addressing modern needs, AP Valletta transforms heritage spaces into functional, dynamic environments. Their work bridges the past and future, redefining how architecture serves as both a cultural touchstone and a resource for contemporary urban life.Best Commercial FirmFogarty FingerJury Winner, Best Commercial Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: New York City, New YorkPictured projects:Dock 72 Lobby at Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York; NOVA, Queens, New YorkFogarty Finger is celebrated for its transformative approach to interior design, creating spaces that balance modern functionality with refined, timeless aesthetics. The firms work integrates thoughtful materiality, clean lines, and innovative layouts to craft interiors that resonate with their users.Specializing in diverse typologies, their designs prioritize comfort and sophistication while responding intuitively to each projects unique context. By blending creativity with pragmatic solutions, Fogarty Finger redefines interior environments to elevate everyday experiences.Sanjay Puri ArchitectsPopular Choice Winner, Best Commercial Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Mumbai, IndiaPictured projects: Nokha Village Community Centre, Nokha, India ; The Courtyard Office, Raipur, IndiaSanjay Puri Architects reimagines commercial spaces through innovative, context-sensitive designs that celebrate local culture and climate. Based in Mumbai, the firm specializes in crafting bold, sustainable environments that engage users and their surroundings.With a focus on integrating local craftsmanship and passive design strategies, Sanjay Puri Architects creates commercial architecture that is as impactful as it is responsive, transforming workspaces into hubs of innovation and cultural connection.Each project exemplifies the firms ability to blend functionality with creative expression, delivering spaces that redefine the commercial landscape.Best Public Projects FirmMecanooJury Winner, Best Public Projects Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Delft, The NetherlandsPictured projects: National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts (Wei-Wu-Ying), Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Palace of Justice, Crdoba, SpainSince its founding in 1984, Mecanoo has become renowned for shaping transformative public projects that connect people, place, and purpose. With a multidisciplinary approach spanning architecture, urban planning, landscape, and interiors, the firm excels in creating spaces that serve as vibrant civic and cultural hubs.Led by Francine Houben, Mecanoos designs reflect an evolution from early architectural explorations to groundbreaking public works that redefine community engagement. Projects like the Library of Birmingham, a beacon of learning and connection, and the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, a harmonious blend of performance space and natural surroundings, exemplify this focus. Through innovative, context-driven solutions, Mecanoo continues to craft environments that inspire, unify, and enrich communities worldwide.ikon.5 architectsPopular Choice Winner, Best Public Projects Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: New York City, New YorkPictured projects: Mori Hosseini Student Union | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida ; National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Orange County, New Yorkikon.5 architects transforms architecture into a form of storytelling, crafting spaces that connect deeply with their settings and users. Founded in 2003, the firm delivers innovative, detail-rich designs across education, cultural, and corporate sectors.Notable projects include the Mori Hosseini Student Union at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, inspired by the elegance of flight, and the Breazzano Family Center for Business Education at Cornell University, a dynamic academic hub. Through a commitment to craftsmanship and context, ikon.5 architects creates environments that inspire and enrich, blending functionality with poetic expression in every project.Best Residential FirmBernardes ArquiteturaJury Winner, Best Residential Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Rio de Janiero and Sao Paolo, Brazil; Lisbon, PortugalPictured projects: Pennsula House, Guaruj, Brazil ; MLC House, So Paulo, BrazilContinuing a legacy of three generations, Bernardes Arquitetura blends modern design with contextual sensitivity. Founded in 2012 by Thiago Bernardes, the firm specializes in architecture, urbanism, and interior design, crafting projects that connect deeply with their environments.Standout works include Casa Delta, seamlessly integrated into its coastal surroundings, and Asa House, redefining site and structure atop a Rio de Janeiro hill. By merging formal simplicity with environmental responsiveness, Bernardes Arquitetura delivers spaces that harmonize with their natural and cultural contexts, advancing a storied architectural tradition into the future.Padovani ArquitetosPopular Choice Winner, Best Residential Firm, 12th Annual A+AwardsFirm location: Campinas and Sao Paolo, BrazilPictured projects: Valencia House, Porto Feliz, Brazil ; LR Residence, Bragana Paulista, Brazil Rooted in the rich landscapes of Brazil, Padovani Arquitetos delivers architecture that seamlessly blends modernity with the natural world. Founded in 2008 by Lucas Padovani, the studio is known for its elegant residential designs that prioritize simplicity, functionality, and a deep connection to their surroundings.Signature projects such as Valncia House, celebrated for its fluid integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, and LEMA Residence, lauded for its innovative use of topography and materials, showcase the firms mastery of contextual design. These works exemplify Padovani Arquitetos philosophy of crafting spaces that harmonize technical precision with poetic expression. With a growing roster of accolades, the firm continues to push the boundaries of Brazilian modernism.Best Sustainable FirmKieranTimberlakeJury Winner, Best Sustainable Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location: Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPictured projects: John A. Paulson Center, New York City, New York ; Henley Hall: Institute for Energy Efficiency, Santa Barbara, CaliforniaWith a foundation rooted in research and sustainability, Philadelphia-based KieranTimberlake has redefined architectural practice since its inception in 1984. Renowned for blending innovation with environmental responsibility, the multidisciplinary firm delivers projects that are as functional as they are inspiring. Their University of Washington North Campus Housing project exemplifies community-centered design, integrating ecological stewardship with dynamic social spaces.KieranTimberlakes approach seamlessly integrates advanced technology, data-driven design, and a commitment to climate-conscious solutions.By fusing thoughtful design with rigorous research, KieranTimberlake continues to address contemporary challenges, crafting environments that enrich lives and lead the way in sustainable innovation.ZGF ArchitectsPopular Choice Winner, Best Sustainable Firm, 12th Annual A+Awards Firm location:Portland, Oregon (headquarters); Offices in Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York City, Denver, and Vancouver, CanadaPictured projects: Portland International Airport Main Terminal Expansion, Portland, Oregon ; The Assembly, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaRooted in a legacy spanning over 80 years, ZGF Architects excels at blending sustainability with human-centric design. With over 750 professionals across seven North American offices, the firm tackles projects of every scale and typology, from healthcare and education to civic spaces and corporate campuses. Standout projects include the PAE Living Building in Portland, a groundbreaking net-zero energy structure that sets a new benchmark for commercial design, and the expansion of Portland International Airports terminal, showcasing a striking mass-timber roof crafted from sustainably sourced Pacific Northwest wood.ZGF consistently balances innovation with environmental stewardship, with each project exemplifying their commitment to inspiring change through design, advancing sustainability and shaping environments that enrich lives while addressing global challenges.Calling all architects, landscape architects and interior designers: Architizer's A+Awards allows firms of all sizes to showcase their practice and vie for the title of Worlds Best Architecture Firm. Start an A+Firm Award Application today.The post Vision Meets Craft: 28 Game-Changing Firms That Led the Design World in 2024 appeared first on Journal.

CD Projekt REDs The Witcher 4 has spurred much conversation following its reveal at The Game Awards. Outside of confirming Ciri as the new protagonist and promising new regions and monsters, the development team hasnt delved too much into the story. However, executive producer Magorzata Mitrga has addressed concerns about her overwhelming power at the end of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.Speaking to GamesRadar, Mitrga confirms that something totally happened in-between the two games, addressing the gap between her being totally overpowered at the end of the previous game and now, with the skill set we showed off in the trailer.We had to delve deep to consider how we would address this we have huge respect for the lore, both the books and what made it into our previous games. But this was one of the first questions we found the answer to, and its how we were able to create this original story, which starts with The Witcher 4.How will she play compared to Geralt? Shes faster, more agile but you can still tell that she was raised by Geralt, right? Mitrga also confirmed that the spell wielded in the trailer is called Bolt. Based on what weve seen Geralt pull off with Signs, it seems Ciri is more proficient in magic.Of course, its up to the player how they want her to develop. Game director Sebastian Kalemba previously told IGN about providing more tools for players disposal, to be able to not only play and go with the consequences narratively, but also gameplay-wise. Perhaps those who want to specialize more in magic can do so while others focus on Ciris martial skills. Time will tell.The Witcher 4 is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It doesnt have a release window full production only began last month. Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.

Ubisofts Assassins Creed Shadows fulfills a long-requested fantasy for many fans: Playing as an Assassin in Japan. It stars Naoe, the daughter of Fujibayashi Nagato, and Yasuke, a vassal for Oda Nobunaga in the late Sengoku period. Their paths cross when the daimyo invades the Iga Province, leading to the destruction of Naoes home.Naturally, she seeks vengeance. However, after meeting Yasuke, they begin a crusade to punish the guilty. As creative director Jonathan Dumont revealed to Entertainment Weekly, there is a bit more nuance. For instance, her mother has been absent, and Naoe knows little about her.[Naoe] was shielded by her father from whats happening in the world, and it comes crashing down. She is pushed into war. She doesnt know much about her origins. Her fathers been training her, but she doesnt know much about her mother, whos been gone. But as a cool proverb from Japan says, a frog in a well knows nothing of the sea.She is tossed into the real world, and through that, she will learn that she is not just a shinobi, that there is a little bit of a lineage or at least some mystery about some sort of different type of shinobi. Theyre Assassins, so shes somewhat linked to that.So while revenge is the catalyst, Naoe eventually discovers a world in need, and begins to really value the community values her father taught. Can she make a better world? [She realizes] they are people who cannot defend themselves, which is tied a little bit more to the models of the [Assassin] Brotherhood. She also starts envisioning a better future for Japan through her interactions with a child named Junjiro, though additional details on his backstory are currently unknown.Dumont did confirm that each of Naoes tools connects to her history and training. The Hidden Blade is given by her father, and were going to learn a little bit more about what that means. He also describes her as a panther looking at her prey.Where the Templars, the long-time rivals of the Brotherhood, tie into all this remains to be seen. Then theres Yasuke, whose ultimate fate after the Honn-ji Incident in 1582 may be explored further.Launching on February 14th, 2025, Assassins Creed Shadows launches on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Head here to learn more about the differences between Naoe and Yasuke.

2025 will bring with it the early access launch ofTerminator: Survivors,but it seems like it might not be the only game based on the sci-fi IP to look forward to in the near future. A new title,Terminator 2D: No Fate, could also be unveiled soon enough.Spotted by Gematsu,Terminator 2D: No Fatewas recently rated by Australian Classification for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The games name obviously suggests were looking at a lower-scale, 2D experience, but theres not much else to glean. The rating also lists Reef Entertainment the publisher ofTerminator: Resistance as the titles developer and publisher.What exactly this new mystery game is or when we can expect it to be announced is anyones guess, though its classification rating would suggest that it might not be too long before the game is unveiled, and perhaps even released. Either way, stay tuned for further details.

Photo credit: City of EdmontonCities rarely behave the way we want them to. Urbanist William Whyte illustrated this in the 1980s when he studied the behaviour of park-goers in New York. Despite planners carefully arranging chairs in unique and novel ways, people instinctively moved them around to suit their own needs. Similarly, the worn paths we see cutting through park lawns are not part of the original design they are desire lines, revealing the routes people naturally choose, rather than those intended by urban planners. This highlights a fundamental truth: how we plan and design a space often doesnt align with the way people truly live and move through it.As a PhD candidate in urban and regional planning, I have been delving into this disconnect between intention and execution. Theres often a chasm between what urban planners envision and what is actually realized. Many plans, no matter how meticulously crafted, remain unfulfilled, leading to a cognitive dissonance between our aspirations and the final product, and contributing to frustration and disappointment from the broader community. Despite their best efforts, planners often find that the systems they work within do not operate the way they had hoped. In many prairie cities, the plans and strategies drafted by urban planners often end up collecting dust on forgotten shelves, never to be revisited.John Forester, a key figure in the study of power and its influence on the practice of planning, famously noted that If planners ignore those in power, they assure their own powerlessness. This statement underscores a vital point: urban planners are not merely neutral technicians but are embedded in complex political environments. They should aim for more than just managing permits and enforcing processes they should be agents of change, actively challenging the status quo. Yet, not every planner sees themselves in this role. This raises the question: What is the true role of a planner in a city? And more specifically, in Edmonton?Planners, no matter how skilled, can find their work stymied by organizational constraints, and even the best plans can falter when political and economic realities intervene. As we approach another election year, much attention will be focused on elected officials, yet we should also consider the questions we ask of the city builders who work within administrative spaces. While decision-making may rest with politicians, it is within the administration and public-private partnerships where expertise and leadership traverse election cycles. These city builders planners, administrators, architects, and engineers wield significant influence and should not only be part of the conversation but should lead it.In 2018, I moved to Edmonton for this very reason. While my hometown of Winnipeg was bogged down by a decades-long debate over the infamous Portage and Main intersection, Edmontons planning landscape was thriving. Administrators and planners were shaping the discourse, pushing boundaries, and driving urban change. I was drawn to this energy and eager to learn what enabled such leadership among Edmontons city planners. What inspired them to push through and make urban transformation possible?That question led me to consider: what makes planning in Edmonton different from Winnipeg? In Winnipeg, planners often feel powerless, constrained by municipal government structures. In contrast, in Edmonton, planners seemed to embrace their role, actively pushing for change and progress.Through my research, I attempt to understand the role of central figures like planners in prairie cities such as Edmonton and Winnipeg. Drawing on Timothy Rowleys social network analysis theory, I have discovered that planners are either commanders, compromisers, subordinates, and/or solitarians, and each play different but vital roles in shaping the urban narrative.Commanders, often the public face of planning, have the power to initiate dialogue, shape the direction of planning efforts, and guide the process. Compromisers are the peacekeepers, helping resolve conflicts and facilitating compromise among stakeholders. Subordinates, though less visible, provide support by listening and synthesizing the concerns of both the public and officials. Solitarians are the researchers and analysts, offering clarity and detailed knowledge that can guide more informed decision-making. Together, these diverse figures form a web of influence, creating a robust environment for urban change.How can we, and should we, make space for these diverse players? And is Edmontons planning environment still supportive of innovation and leadership? Understanding and creating room for all types of city builders is essential to successfully plan and shape our cities. It enables us to adapt and adjust our plans as cities evolve and as people shape their communities. This approach empowers planners, working within diverse constraints, to discover their authentic voice and influence, foster collaboration, and understand the significance of their work in driving meaningful change. It encourages creativity within our administrations, opening pathways for transformative action. Moving forward, I believe that embracing the complexity of governance and acknowledging the varied roles of city builders is key to shaping the future of our urban landscapes.Jason Syvixay is Vice President of BILD Edmonton Metro, and a PhD candidate in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Alberta.The post Reimagining Urban Leadership appeared first on Canadian Architect.

Monday, December 23rd, 2024Posted by Jim ThackerRandomControl releases Maverick Indie and Maverick Studio 2024html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"RandomControl has begun its 2024 updates to Maverick Studio and Maverick Indie, its physically based GPU renderers for industrial designers and entertainment artists.Maverick Studio 2024.1 and Maverick Indie 2024.1 introduced a complete new animation system, letting users create technical animations via either keyframing or a system of Motion Controllers.The 2024.2 and 2024.3 updates refine animation workflows, and add initial USD support.Streamlined GPU renderers for visualization and entertainment workDeveloped by Arion renderer creator RandomControl and launched in 2019, Maverick Studio is a streamlined renderer aimed at product and automotive visualisation.It provides a drag-and-drop workflow for assigning PBR materials, and for setting up lighting and a render camera, plus a physically accurate spectral render engine with built-in denoising.The software is CUDA-based, and supports out-of-core rendering.It was later joined by Maverick Indie, a lower-priced edition aimed at entertainment work, which lacks support for CAD file formats, plus features like NURBS and cross-section rendering.Now features a complete new animation system tailored to marketing visualsOn their release late last month, Maverick Studio 2024.1 and Maverick Indie 2024.1 became the first updates to either application in more than a year.That gap the longest in their respective release histories is explained by the scale of the new features: the 2024.1 releases add a complete animation toolset to the software.In a blog post, RandomControl described its aim as making everything animatable, enabling users to animate every floating point attribute in every node inside the software, including object and camera positions, lights, materials and the background environment.As well as a conventional keyframe animation workflow, artists can create animations using Motion Controllers: a set of readymade templates for creating common animation types.RandomControl describes the workflow as being targeted at marketing visualization, making it possible to create short ad-like clips without external video-editing software.Other new features in the 2024.1 updatesAs well as the animation toolset, new features in the 2024.1 releases include a tonemap frontplate for adding animatable logos or watermarks to renders.In addition, the maximum resolution when baking textures has been increased from 4K to 8K, and the Scatter modifier now supports up to eight sources.There are also performance improvements, particularly to interactive preview rendering (IPR), and when working on heavy scenes.Pipeline integration changes include better support for materials in Substance .sbsar format, and the option to export animated GIFs as well as video.Initial support for USD added in the 2024.2 updatesThis month, RandomControl has released two further pairs of updates, Maverick Studio 2024.2 and 2024.3, and Maverick Indie 2024.2 and 2024.3.Both are primarily workflow updates to the new animation toolset, but they do include one significant new feature for entertainment artists: USD support.Users can now import data in .usd, .usda, .usdc and .usdz formats, although RandomControl describes the functionality as still very preliminary.Pricing and system requirementsMaverick Indie and Maverick Studio are available for 64-bit Windows only. Both are CUDA-based, and require a RTX-compatible NVIDIA GPU. You can see a feature comparison table for the two editions here.Perpetual licences of Maverick Indie cost 249.99 (around $260); rental starts at 19.99/month ($21/month). Perpetual licences of Maverick Studio cost 499.99 ($520); rental starts at 39.99/month ($42/month).Read more about animation support in the Maverick renderers on RandomControls blogRead a full list of new features in the online changelogHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsRandomControl releases Maverick Indie and Maverick Studio 2024Check out the new features in the GPU renderers, including initial USD support and a complete new animation system.Monday, December 23rd, 2024Pilgway releases 3DCoat 2024.30Check out the new features in the sculpting and retopology app, including integration with RealityCapture for photogrammetry.Monday, December 23rd, 2024Terragen Sky now lets you paint clouds into the sky directlyCheck out the neat new Sky Paint tools in the December 2024 update to the sky-creation tool for VFX, visualization and games work.Friday, December 20th, 2024Planetside Software releases Terragen 4.8Environment generation software gets highly multithreaded rendering, plus heightfield export to 16-bit TIFFs for Unity and Unreal Engine.Friday, December 20th, 2024Photoshop users can now create filters in Substance 3D DesignerCurrent beta build of the image-editing app lets users create and import custom image-stylization filters as Substance 3D .sbsar files.Thursday, December 19th, 2024Pixar releases RenderMan 26.3Check out the new features in the production renderer, including tiled denoising, and support for the new versions of Maya and Houdini.Thursday, December 19th, 2024More NewsCreate game characters with CC Auto Setup for 3ds Max and V-RayLeopoly releases Shapelab 2025 and Shapelab LiteAdobe releases Photoshop 26.2Check out Blender's experimental anime rendering buildsCell Fluids 2.0 for Blender is outUnigine 2.19.1 can now import and export USD filesBoris FX releases Mocha Pro 2025Master Designing Sci-Fi Props for FilmAdobe releases Substance 3D Stager 3.1 in betaNekki releases Cascadeur Mobile 1.2ukasz Czy releases UVPackmaster 3 for MayaBlender add-on ClayPencil turns 2D animation into 3D 'claymation'Older Posts

Amazon renews Secret Level for a season 2Game anthology series was Amazon's most-watched animated debutImage credit: Amazon Video News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Dec. 23, 2024 Amazon Video has renewed Secret Level for a second season.As reported by Variety, the streaming service said the show was its most-watched animated series debut within the first week of release.There is currently no information regarding which IPs will be covered in season two. The first series contained stories set in the worlds of Pac-Man, Dungeons & Dragons, and The Outer Worlds.Concord was also the focus of an episode, despite the live-service game being pulled from sale less than two weeks after its release.Tim Miller serves as creator and executive producer on Secret Level, in addition to supervising director Dave Wilson.The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Blur Studio, the latter of which recently worked on Sonic The Hedgehog 3.

Community matters: How audience engagement in games is shaping other industries | Playable FuturesWooga's lead social media and community manager April Laws explores the growing trend of games-like community management in other sectors Feature by Will Freeman Contributor Published on Dec. 23, 2024 This series of Playable Futures articles considers how the design, technology, people, and theory of video games are informing and influencing the wider world.While game communities are famed for their passion and power, our medium cannot claim to have invented the concept of courting a fanbase. You might remember, for example, when records came with a small card form to fill out and return, handing over your details in return for getting access to offers and announcements from the band.By today's standards, however, what were effectively 'fanclubs' now seem charmingly primitive. They would breed loyalty and make customer communities feel valued and yet there is only so much a quarterly print newsletter could really achieve.Fast forward to the present, and industries across the world are increasingly eying how game community managers like Wooga's April Laws are evolving and enacting their craft. Laws first joined the studio known for its prowess with story-driven casual titles as a freelance designer, but now stands as the team's lead social media and community manager."It struck me how similar community management and design are," Laws says of her earlier days at Wooga. "Design is about solving problems and communication, and I feel I'm still doing exactly that at Wooga. Our community really has become one of our biggest assets as a company. I think the way that we in games do community is so powerful, and has really marked on our success, because it's a competitive industry. And so the community and their loyalty is really powerful. Valuing these relationships is one of the ways a game company can make lasting success, as there's a lot of other games people can play but our community chose us.""So many companies take their lead from game community management. Nike, Adidas and other fitness brands now have apps with leaderboards and challenges community gamification in itself"Community building and engagement, then, exists in a place between your audience and product, and works to help form an authentic bond that can be deeply rewarding for the consumer, and lastingly powerful to the company's success. And if you can get to the point of your customer base also existing as one of your most powerful assets, you really are getting modern community management right. It is a specialty open to everyone, whatever sector they serve.What game community managers have in their arsenal that equivalents in other realms traditionally do not, however, is access to the power of fandoms, and understanding of their medium's engaging power. In short, converting customers into fans is lastingly powerful, while deploying many of the design theories that make games so compelling can significantly boost the impacts of community building. It should come as little surprise, then, that other industries want in, driven by a desire to see the levels of connection and active engagement delivered here in games.Fandoms in particular are something any organisation would want to build, considering their habit of being deeply engaged beyond interacting with a given game itself, creating content and cosplay and evangelising the brand they adore day and night."As community managers we can support and curate what we see in fandoms," offers Laws. "This is the relationship we're trying to look for, really. When somebody makes fan art, writes a story, or dresses like a character, they're making part of their identity around your games, and building their lives. That's something to be cherished, and it's somewhere community teams can both help and really value that relationship. And I also just love to see that stuff. It's so fun, and these people are giving you their passion and love. I adore that." Hidden object puzzle game Pearl's Peril is just one of many Wooga games that has a solid community fanbase around it | Image credit: WoogaIt's obvious, then, that any product would enjoy what a truly engaged fandom can bring. But what of the notion of gamifying communities? That can start by extending a product with a game-like offering, or even fully integrating community into the service or platform provided; something very common in games."We see so many companies taking the lead from game community management now," Laws asserts. "Nike and Adidas and other fitness brands now have apps that have leaderboards and challenges, which is community gamification in itself. We also see those brands organise more on a local level, which is something we've been doing in games for a while now running local tournaments and connecting fans in real life. You can also look at brands like Duolingo, which is all about learning, but they're driving it through community, with rankings and rewards so forth being core to their product."Another great example is creative software like Photoshop, where sharing and community tutorials and learning from one another is part of the core of the product. That's a big part of this new approach to community, where you're not learning from the top down, but from other people in the same situations, which really fosters great relationships, and all those gains community managers look for."Community learning is also a model that proved significantly powerful; in the emergence of game engines like Epic and Unity in particular.Laws also points out that organic community building online is now a mainstay of everyday life, seen everywhere from political movements to sport and hobbies. Simply put, the human beings that make up communities are now more open to and familiar with engaging with their fellow devotees online."When somebody makes fan art, writes a story, or dresses like a character, they're making part of their identity around your games. That should be cherished"It should be noted that the increasing emergence of live service games as a dominant form and the relative normalisation of early access as a release process has also accelerated the craft and practise of community management in the gaming space, inspiring spillover to other sectors. In both those cases games continually evolve with a door open to the community to have their say and input about the creations they love. While it would be unwise to be totally beholden to community guidance, these distribution models have provided a fascinating example of how deep and powerful game communities management can be. And again, it's hugely appealing to those looking to foster more success beyond games.Laws is quick to observe that being responsive and listening intently is the secret that those from outside games will have to inherit."Anything you love, it makes your day if it talks back to you, and that's the power game community management has demonstrated. And learning the game community way is really not that complicated," Laws suggests. "Just listen first, and then take time to try to understand as well as you can, and then act. Listening is so important. When people tell you something, it is because they care, and they are the type of people you want to keep engaged with you. And you are benefitting from their engagement, and the way that you can show you value that, is to take it seriously."Take their feedback and engagement as more than just numbers. This isn't about bottom lines; there are people on the other side of the relationship, and there are real emotions at stake. So being able to look at that in a holistic way and take that to your product only benefits your game or whatever you are working on immensely."The core, very human craft of community management, then, isn't about technological prowess or adopting disruptive new approaches; it is about communication. But from the likes of the band Coldplay recentring their community effort on Discord, to those gamified apps that let Nike constantly engage and expand its community, it's clear a great many sectors are learning from games making customers fans, involving them with their processes, and rewarding their engagements with models based on achievements and leaderboards.It looks very likely we'll only see more game community management in other places marking yet another point where games are shaping the future of everywhere.Playable Futures is a collection of insights, interviews and articles from global games leaders sharing their visions of where the industry will go next. This article series has been brought to you by GamesIndustry.biz, Ukie, and Diva. You can find previous Playable Futures articles and podcasts here.

Switch 2 (finally), GTA 6 to dominate, AI in game dev (again): Analysts predictions for 2025Our annual panel of industry-watchers review their calls for the past year, and offer new forecasts for the year to comeImage credit: Adobe News by James Batchelor Editor-in-chief Published on Dec. 23, 2024 Every year, we turn to a panel of trusted analysts to ask them what they see coming down the road, and ask them to assess their predictions from the previous year.This year we've got all of last year's participants returning: Niko Partners' Lisa Cosmas Hanson, Midia Research's Rhys Elliott, Kantan Games' Dr. Serkan Toto, Ampere Analysis' Piers Harding-Rolls and Newzoo's Emmanuel (Manu) Rosier.As always, thanks to all our panelists for taking part in this tradition.Emmanuel (Manu) Rosier, Newzoo Emmanuel (Manu) Rosier, Newzoo2024 predictionsNintendo Switch 2 will take center stageIncorrect. The Nintendo Switch 2 has been prominent in rumor discussions rather than taking center stage officially.End of the live service domination and market saturationPartially correct. While older live service titles continue to dominate, newer entries in the space have seen mixed success, with some achieving short-lived popularity and others failing to gain traction. The industry is not fully transitioning back to premium games, but there is growing acknowledgment that the sheer volume of live service offerings exceeds players' available time. Many players appreciate taking breaks from their 'lifestyle' games to enjoy more finite, complete gaming experiences.Nostalgia takes a key role in live service titlesSpot on. As major live service games reach new lifecycle milestones, there's a rising interest in revisiting the origins of these games, with players embracing 'vanilla' versions of their favourites. This mirrors the trend in single-player games with remasters and remakes driven by nostalgia.Xbox's strategic move into mobilePartially correct. Microsoft is ready to launch the Xbox app on Android but cannot until an antitrust ruling in the United States comes into force."Without groundbreaking innovations, consumers may see little reason to upgrade to Nintendo Switch 2"Emmanuel (Manu) Rosier, NewzooThe onslaught of open-world Souls-like gamesIncorrect. While expansions like Shadow of the Erdtree for Elden Ring and releases like Black Myth: Wukong have been successful, these do not represent a significant market shift toward open-world Souls-like games.AI in game productionCorrect. AI is steadily integrating into game development processes, though we have yet to see a revolutionary impact. However, its broader adoption across the industry is inevitable.The evolution of multi-game subscriptions is overTrue. In 2024, no major breakthroughs occurred in subscription models. The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass caused premium-to-subscription cannibalization on Xbox, but strong sales on other platforms offset this, leaving trends unclear.Epic Games is doubling down on Fortnite as a platform, adding content like Fortnite Festival and Lego Fortnite to Fortnite Crew subscriptions without raising prices, aiming to lock in players and developers.Mobile-to-PC gaming evolutionIncorrect. There has not been a notable shift toward PC ports of mobile games. 2025 PredictionsGTA 6: One game to rule them allGrand Theft Auto 6, scheduled for a fall 2025 release, is poised to reshape the gaming industry much like its predecessor, GTA 5, which shattered records with 32.5 million units sold in its first year. While the market landscape has evolved, Rockstar's legacy of delivering groundbreaking experiences ensures that GTA 6 will leave a lasting mark.When GTA 5 launched in 2013, it capitalised on the late lifecycle of the PS3 and Xbox 360, leveraging a vast and mature audience. GTA 6, by contrast, will arrive earlier in the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S lifecycle, facing a smaller but rapidly growing install base. However, the enduring success of GTA Online, with millions of active players, has kept the franchise at the forefront of gaming, driving extraordinary anticipation for GTA 6.Rockstar's history of crafting genre-defining titles positions GTA 6 to set new industry standards. Yet, its challenge lies in navigating a gaming world increasingly dominated by live-service titles. How Rockstar adapts the Grand Theft Auto formula to this evolving landscape will not only determine GTA 6's success but may also redefine the future of open-world gaming.Why the Nintendo Switch 2 may struggle to outperform its predecessorThe Nintendo Switch 2 faces the challenge of living up to the original Switch's monumental success, even with the appeal of backward compatibility as an upgrade incentive.With over 146 million units sold and helped by the pandemic, the original Switch has deeply penetrated the market, leaving many players satisfied with their current systems. Without groundbreaking innovations, consumers may see little reason to upgrade. Compounding the challenge, a budget-friendly version of the original Switch if still available could attract cost-conscious buyers, diverting attention from the new console."The industry is not fully transitioning back to premium games, but there is growing acknowledgment that the sheer volume of live service offerings exceeds players' available time"Emmanuel (Manu) Rosier, NewzooTo make an impact, the Switch 2 will need exclusive launch titles or games that fully utilize its hardware improvements. Yet, no major exclusives have been announced, leaving questions about how it will differentiate itself. While Nintendo's history suggests it may have surprises in store, surpassing the Switch's unprecedented sales figures seems like a steep climb.Ubisoft: Acquisition, privatisation, or dismantlingUbisoft finds itself at a critical juncture as financial struggles and operational missteps have severely impacted its stability. Its market value has halved in 2024, falling back to levels not seen since 2015. The poor performance of releases such as Star Wars Outlaws, XDefiant, and Rainbow Six Extraction, combined with delays of key franchises like Assassin's Creed Shadows, have exacerbated the company's challenges, leaving investors and fans increasingly disillusioned and calling for substantial change.Acquisition or privatisation appears increasingly likely. Tencent, a major shareholder in Ubisoft, is a leading candidate for a buyout, though its future M&A strategy remains unclear. Privatisation could shield Ubisoft from the pressures of the public market, offering a chance for a comprehensive strategic overhaul. However, both paths risk partial or complete dismantling, as new ownership may choose to streamline operations by selling underperforming studios or non-core assets. Image credit: Epic GamesFortnite's next level: Taking on Steam, PlayStation, and XboxFortnite is rapidly evolving from a popular game into a major digital distribution platform, poised to challenge established giants like Steam and PlayStation Store. Recent developments underscore its growing influence across gaming and entertainment.On November 30, 2024, Fortnite set a new standard for in-game events with 'Remix: The Finale,' a concert featuring performances by Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Ice Spice, and a tribute to Juice WRLD. The event attracted over 14 million concurrent players and demonstrated the platform's unparalleled ability to draw massive audiences and create cultural moments within its ecosystem.Epic Games continues to innovate by making user-generated content more accessible. Introducing unique deep links for Fortnite islands allows players to seamlessly join specific experiences directly from a shared URL. Currently available on PC and Android, this feature simplifies content discovery and enhances player engagement.Looking ahead to 2025, Fortnite could potentially strengthen its position by advancing creator tools, fostering new strategic alliances, and promoting open digital marketplaces. These efforts could signal its ambition to rival established digital distribution platforms, reshaping the industry and expanding its influence as a digital powerhouse."The $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal, rising costs, power of forever-titles, and Sony's huge lead leave Xbox no choice but to bring all their big games to PS5 early"Dr Serkan Toto, Kantan GamesWeakening of large live-service titles outside of Fortnite and MinecraftSeveral factors are influencing the market landscape. As noted earlier, Fortnite continues to expand its growth and maintain its dominance. Meanwhile, Roblox is experiencing growth not only on mobile platforms but also on PC and consoles. On the other hand, some games are facing challenges in attracting new players. For competitive games like MOBAs, high skill barriers can deter newcomers, while in other cases, expansive storylines and increasingly complex mechanics may discourage players from starting.Additionally, 2025 is shaping up to be a standout year for new game releases. This influx of fresh titles will likely divert time and engagement away from many existing live-service games.In summary, 2025 appears to be ushering in a convergence of trends that could pose significant challenges for many traditional live-service titles.We will not see a successful new F2P multiplayer shooter launch in 2025Looking over the past few years of shooter launches, it is increasingly plain to see that the genre is beyond saturated and that players are fixed to their franchise shooter of choice. While there may be blips on the radar that may ping every time a new one launches and players check the game out, these will ultimately fizzle out over the next year to two years without any additional fanfare.Dr Serkan Toto, Kantan Games2024 predictions Dr Serkan Toto, Kantan Games"Switch 2" will come and be $400Incorrect. I am probably off by three to six months (Switch 2 is likely to arrive in the first half of 2025) but still believe in the other points I made, including the price point despite potential US tariffs.Saudi Arabia will make more big movesIncorrect. But they publicly announced they will make a big move (a billion dollar acquisition) in 2025 earlier this year.AI will become an even bigger topic in 2024Correct, and we will of course see a lot more next year.Square Enix will release a big IP game with crypto elementsIncorrect.2025 predictionsXbox will open all floodgates and go all-in on PS5I am aware that Microsoft has already become somewhat open to releasing Xbox games on other platforms, but 2025 might be the year where they go all-in. The $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal, rising costs across the board, the power of forever-titles, the huge lead of Sony and other factors will likely leave Microsoft no choice but to bring all their big games to PS5 early, including blockbusters such as Gears of War: E-Day or Perfect Dark."Ubisoft at the end of 2025 will look a lot different from now"Dr Serkan Toto, Kantan GamesInstant gaming will have its big momentInstant gaming silently amassed vast audiences over time, but I believe 2025 will be the true breakout year in the West. The idea of not having to install apps and being able to play across various platforms with deep social hooks led to hundreds of millions of active players on WeChat in China, for example. Apple just a few weeks ago enabled in-app-purchases for instant games on iOS, a watershed moment this part of the industry has been waiting for for years.Ubisoft will change radicallyI hope I am wrong on this one, but I see Ubisoft closing studios and cutting stuff at a significantly larger scale next year. In my view, Assassin's Creed Shadows will get solid reviews and sell 'okay' but not enough to make Ubisoft continue business as usual. Ubisoft at the end of 2025 will look a lot different from now.Nintendo will not have enough consoles to sellDespite Nintendo's pledge and best efforts, the new device will sell out very quickly and not be available for months in 2025. It will be even worse than 2017 when the Switch launched. Furthermore, the name will be Switch 2. I also expect deep price cuts for the original Switch in 2025.Rhys Elliott, Midia Research Rhys Elliott, Midia Research2024 predictionsAI to supercharge games developmentCorrect. Over 17,000 games were published on Steam, compared to around 14,000 last year. AI is also being more prominently used. For example, at EAs annual Investor Day in September 2024, CEO Andrew Wilson, said that AI is "at the very core of the business and has more than "100 active novel AI projects in development.Games subscription growth to outpace games software growth by three timesCorrect. At the time of writing, preliminary MIDiA forecasts suggest that by the end of 2024, subscription revenue will have grown by approximately 15% while games purchase revenue will have actually declined.Another $100 million-plus acquisition will take placeCorrect. Take-Two Interactive bought Gearbox Interactive for $460 million. Beacon Interactive bought Saber Interactive for $237 million. Turtle Beach bought Fortnite Festival guitar maker PDP for $118 million.Games and social media will eat into time on other formatsPartially Correct. While time spent on games and social media grew by 5% and 12%, respectively, between Q2 2023 and Q2 2024, games decreased their share of entertainment time slightly, while social media grew slightly.Non-game companies will deepen their involvement with gamesCorrect. Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games to bring Disney brands into Fortnite. YouTube Playables, free games playable on YouTube, left soft launch. LinkedIn introduced New York Times-like games. Following massive success with its Fallout TV series, Amazon announced it is making a Mass Effect show. Games and social media will eat into time on other formats.2025 predictionsAds revenue will become more prominent on PC and consoleAfter an extended period of strong growth, the games market has begun to face growth challenges. Some game makers will turn to advertising which has largely been untapped on console and PC to drive growth. Advertising will become more prominent at platform level (Xbox and PlayStation menus) and at game level (immersive, interstitial, and rewarded alike).What is more, mobile developers are increasingly entering console and PC (and will bring mobile ad monetisation learnings with them). While game developers have experimented with advertising in the past, the revenue stream is more viable now as programmatic advertising means ads are more automated and specific.Gaming is now at the front of mind for marketers and there is also a necessity: the games market and advertisers alike need new revenue streams."Advertising will become more prominent at platform level and at game level... The games market and advertisers alike need new revenue streams"Rhys Elliott, Midia ResearchPortable gaming skyrocketsNintendo will release its Switch 2 in 2025, and we should expect to see a new Mario Kart and a Super Mario title during the launch window. This console will sell well, driving game-related hardware and console revenues in 2025.However, this is just the beginning for portable gamings oncoming tailwind. The attention economy is oversaturated, and Nintendo was shrewd to release a hybrid handheld that allows both at-home play on the TV and portable play. Similarly, companion portables like the Steam Deck complement a gamers main platform (a gaming PC, in this case). Companion portables give players more opportunities to engage with their ecosystem of choice, and more opportunities for games to grow their share of the attention economy.Microsofts CEO of gaming Phil Spencer confirmed Xbox is working on a portable, and leaks reported by Bloomberg indicate Sony is as well. A portable strategy would also fit in with both companies current strategies and recent peripheral releases/partnerships, such as the PlayStation Portal (a companion device letting players stream their PS5 remotely to the Portals screen via WiFi) and Xboxs play anywhere initiatives and partnership with the ASUS ROG Ally portable PC.The year of the portable is coming. Multi-game subscriptions growth will take a back seatUnlike video and music, game subscriptions will not be the sole future of distribution any time soon but they will have their place. While a consumer can listen to hundreds of tracks and watch dozens of movies or TV episodes in a month, the majority only have time to play a few games. That is why multi-game subscriptions are only worth it for the most dedicated players.Most gamers are already served by the free-to-play markets or are happy enough to buy a few games a year la carte. Free-based tiers and cloud gaming could change this in the long term, but for the coming years, subscriptions will remain a secondary revenue stream for the games market.Generative AI will divide game leadership and game makersGenerative AI will undoubtedly have a bigger role in game development going forward, but the transition to this new technology will face struggles in 2025. While game publishers will continue to inject generative AI to cut costs and streamline game creation, the technology will continue to worry game developers."The year of the portable is coming"Rhys Elliott, Midia ResearchGenerative AI is relatively new and more use cases will hit the market in 2025, leading to yet more debate. More developers will publicly decry generative AI and will mobilise fans of their games to do the same. Inevitably, a high-profile game will use "no AI was used in the making of this game" as a marketing bullet point.Creator-led games will start to show their worthCreators and influencers that got rich through gaming video content have their eyes and their capital on game development. For example, popular YouTuber Videogamedunkey already owns his own indie publisher, Bigmode. Meanwhile, several influencer-led game studios are creating game experiences on Epic Games Unreal Engine for Fortnite (such as Typical Gamer with his own studio JOGO).These creators are using their audiences (marketing), networks (B2B), and knowledge of games to cater to their audiences and gain momentum in the market. In 2025, we expect to see a viral hit from one of these influencer-led publishers or at least a game becomes part of the gaming cultural zeitgeist.Lisa Cosmas Hanson, Niko Partners2024 predictions Lisa Cosmas Hanson, Niko PartnersAsia & MENA to account for over 60% of global PC & Mobile games revenueAlmost correct. Asia & MENA will generate $82 billion in player spending across PC & Mobile in 2024, which is roughly 56% of global PC & Mobile game revenue.A deal valued at more than $2.5 billion (among the Top Ten of all time) will happenCorrect, but not from Asia. EQT acquired Keywords Studios for nearly $2.4 billion in 2024. EQT is not from Asia, however.Instant games will reach over one billion MAUs in Asia & MENACorrect. We believe this prediction was achieved with 800m MAUs for mini /instant games coming from WeChat and Douyin in China alone.New console hardware will be announced in 2024Correct. While the Nintendo Switch successor was not announced, as we previously expected, Sony announced its PS5 Pro and multiple PC gaming handhelds were also announced.The new global esports landscape will be centered outside of the westCorrect. There were more high-profile esports tournaments and viewership in Asia & MENA compared to the west this year by a growing margin."In 2025, additional markets will require Apple and Google to remove their walled gardens"Lisa Cosmas Hanson, Niko PartnersBlizzard will re-enter China in an official capacityCorrect. Blizzard announced its return in April 2024 and re-established its partnership with NetEaseMore than 100 import games will be granted an ISBN for release in ChinaProbably correct, but not yet confirmed. 98 Import Games have been approved as of writing (December 16), and we could see another batch before the end of the year taking the number over 100.Governments in Southeast Asia & India will actively support games industry growthCorrect. Multiple governments in the region announced policies that include support for video games and esports in their respective markets. Indonesia, Malaysia, India, to name a few.2025 predictionsThe following predictions pertain to the primary markets that Niko Partners analyzes every day i.e. those in Asia and MENA. These are a subset of predictions and topics that our team of analysts is considering about 2025 and beyond to help guide our clients in their global business strategic planning. Chinas video game market revenue will reach $50 billion Niko Partners proprietary market model forecasts that player spending on video game software and services will surpass $50 billion in China next year making it the first country to do so. While China is a mobile-first market, with over two-thirds of spend from smartphones and tablets, we continue to see notable growth from the PC and console game segments, especially on the heels of the successful launch of Black Myth: Wukong.China wont be the only market to achieve a milestone in 2025. India is set to exceed $1 billion in player spending, the Philippines will reach $500 million, and Thailand will closely approach $2 billion. In fact, the Asia & MENA region as a whole will reach $89 billion in player spending across PC, mobile, and console, with a user base of 1.76 billion gamers.2025 will be better than 2024 for the games markets in Asia & MENAThe global video games industry has experienced significant fluctuations during the post-pandemic period, and Asia & MENA are not exceptions to this. However, while layoffs continue along with global economic uncertainty, we see 2025 (particularly after Q1) as a more stable year for the industry compared with 2024.Indias games revenue will grow 14.7% YoY in 2025, followed by MENA-3 (8.3% YoY) and Southeast Asia (6.1% YoY). However, Japan and Korea likely will not see positive growth rates until 2026.In emerging markets like India, MENA, and Southeast Asia, new gamers and a growing middle class will drive increased spending on video games. We also expect to see companies that significantly downsized their gaming operations, such as ByteDance and Garena, indicate recovery by greenlighting new titles and other gaming related projects."We forecast that player spending on games will surpass $50 billion in China next year making it the first country to do so"Lisa Cosmas Hanson, Niko PartnersOver 1 billion gamers in Asia & MENA will watch gaming & esports content onlineNiko Partners conducts an annual online survey of 7,500 gamers across Asia & MENA to understand gamer behavior, motivations and insights across the region. One important stat that weve paid attention to recently is the increasing number of gamers that watch gaming and esports related video content online.In 2024, we found that just over half of all gamers surveyed watch gaming and esports content online. In 2025, we expect this to increase to nearly 60% as publishers and content creators fuel demand for video content.Southeast Asia and India already index higher than China, East Asia, and MENA, which typically fall slightly below 50%. Game video and livestreaming continues to play a greater role in the region for game discovery, marketing, and even distribution. One notable trend weve seen recently is the sale of in-game content via livestreams, with viewers able to make purchases without leaving the stream. Game companies will shift back to geographic expansionNiko Partners believes game companies will recognize growth through geographic expansion in 2025, after new technologies such as Web3, VR/AR/XR, and cloud gaming underperformed expectations. We anticipate firms will double down on international expansion particularly to Asia and MENA, given the growing appetite for gaming and the recent success of global IP in these markets.In 2024, Korean game Dungeon & Fighter launched in China and grossed over $2 billion. Likewise, Supercells Brawl Stars has recently seen South Korea, Japan, and China emerge as its Top Three markets outside the US.Geographic expansion not only diversifies a companys player base but also mitigates the risk associated with untested new technologies, ultimately driving sustainable growth in a more predictable and stable market environment.New regulations will further open up walled gardens on mobileThe past few years has seen the US, EU, Japan, South Korea, and India take antitrust action against walled gardens on mobile, primarily operated by Apple and Google. This has led to Apple and Google allowing third party app stores, alternative payment systems, and removing anti-steering provisions in certain countries.However, stakeholders and regulators continue to argue that Apple and Google are not in compliance with these rulings, and regulators in other countries have also started to take an interest in opening up digital markets after pressure from the industry.In 2025, we fully expect that additional markets will announce rulings that require Apple and Google to remove their walled gardens, and we believe that both parties will be required to remove their commission fee in at least one market when developers link out to an external web shop. We expect this to accelerate out-of-app monetization growth, benefiting game developers who will be able to earn higher gross margins on in-game payments.Piers Harding-Rolls, Ampere Analysis Piers Harding-Rolls, Ampere Analysis2024 predictionsNot at the end of the industry layoffsCorrect, unfortunatelyMarket growth in low single digitsLooks to be correct. Were currently forecasting 1.4% growthSwitch 2 release at end of the year, PS5 the best-selling console, VR to have another tough yearWrong, right, rightUse of generative AI-driven NPCsWrong. Hasnt really happened (although plenty of tech demos!)Microsoft to challenge EA to become the biggest publisher across Xbox and PlayStation, Activision Blizzard new releases to go into Game Pass, Cheaper Game Pass with mobile contentRight, Right, WrongMobile app store status quo to continueRight. However see below for thoughts on increasing off-platform disruptionMicrosoft to experiment with a mobile app storeWrong. Launch has been delayedNetflix to broaden its game streaming offer to more countriesCorrectMMO resurgence, uptick in games IP adaptations, more AA games from biggest publishers, GTA 6 launch date late in 2025Generally, right. MMO resurgence hasnt really happened although peak WoWs player numbers in 2024 were the highest for several years.2025 predictionsIts been a really tough year for the industry. Slower market growth and rising costs combined with the devastating number of layoffs has created a tense and difficult operating environment. Its likely that backdrop will continue into 2025 to an extent, though I dont think well see the same level of industry contraction and job losses.Overall market performance in 2025Im expecting continued slow growth in games content and services spend globally. Gone are the years of 10-15% market growth driven by huge increases in mobile gaming spend. With that fuel seemingly burned for at least the next few years, the market is in a slow growth era. However, to put this in a more positive context, total global market size is expected to be similar to historical market peak from 2021 where consumption was heavily driven by the impact of the pandemic.The console market is set to grow marginally with Switch 2 launch (currently expected it to arrive in Q2 at minimum $400/400) and GTA 6 releasing. US import tariffs are a dark cloud on the horizon, but Im going to positively predict that console hardware is once again made exempt from these import charges.GTA 6 will be the largest entertainment release of all time in terms of revenue generated in its launch months. Such is the size of a new GTA, if it is delayed into 2026, the console market performance will probably be down even without the potential impact of tariffs. GTA Online will continue for gamers that play on PS4, Xbox One and PC, meaning a fractured GTA userbase for Rockstar to deal with.If Switch 2 hits in Q2 (one to three months later in the year than the original Switch did), Im forecasting sell-through of a little north of 13 million units. Thats a sales rate higher than the original Switch. Im interested to see what Nintendo does with Nintendo Switch Online at launch. Id like to think it will expand its content and feature set for the launch of the Switch 2."GTA 6 will be the largest entertainment release of all time... If it is delayed into 2026, the console market performance will probably be down"Piers Harding-Rolls, Ampere AnalysisOff-platform app monetisationTheres been a lot of talk about the potential for mobile app store disruption with the introduction of more third-party stores from the likes of Epic and Microsoft to compete with the incumbents following various legal ruling across different countries and regions. While this is interesting to track, shifting consumer behaviour around game discovery is challenging so Im not expecting major changes in 2025 even if Microsoft does get around to launching its mobile app store. After all, there have been alternative app stores on Android devices for many years and, in the PC space, Epic has thrown large amounts of investment behind competing with Steam through Epic Games Store. Neither of these factors has altered the status quo in terms of consumer behaviour significantly.However, beyond new app stores offering a collection of games, the practice of driving high-spending gamers off-platform to monetise directly through publisher-specific web stores is something well see a lot more of in 2025. This could drive increased profits for mobile games companies and will drive a bigger share of spending outside the App Store and Google Play than weve seen previously.Funding and M&A activity picking upIm expecting funding and M&A activity to increase in 2025 compared to 2024 as investment appetite returns. A lot of recent funding has focused on the games production value chain and games technology, with less investment in developers and publishers. That trend will continue, but I expect the investment pipeline to return to games content-based companies progressively through the year. What will happen with Ubisoft? I think it depends on the performance of Assassins Creed Shadows to an extent. A strong performance could change the leverage different parties have in discussions to take the company private, which may delay any change in the companys position.Content trendsI think well see a deeper focus on remakes and sequels as publishers stay risk averse when it comes to investment. A new wave of extractions shooters is expected in 2025, but I dont think there is enough demand to support multiple new entrants. Unfortunately, that will result in some big budget failures. Publishers will continue to aggressively look at ways to drive more value from their existing games IP and franchises. That means more cross-game licensing, brand partnerships, cross-media licensing, sponsorship, and advertising in and around their games."Total global market size in 2025 is expected to be similar to the historical market peak from 2021"Piers Harding-Rolls, Ampere AnalysisWeb3 games will probably have a decent resurgence due to coin prices, so expect to see more releases and investment again in this area. Black Myth: Wukongs success will prompt more investment into these sort of single player games and will drive all Chinese publishers and developers to consider the global appeal of their upcoming games.Unexpected twists and turnsThere are things that are inherently hard to predict, such as Payday being deeply integrated into PUBG, which seems like an off-the-wall collaboration. I think the hunt for engagement and player attention, and the difficult market backdrop will mean more unexpected collaborations and partnerships, where companies are pushed to get more creative and ambitious to carve out a space in the market.

The original creators of much-loved sci-fi horror video game Dead Space say they pitched EA on Dead Space 4 this year, only for the publisher to say it wasnt interested.In an interview with Dan Allen Gaming, Glen Schofield, Christopher Stone, and Bret Robbins, three of the leading creatives at the now shuttered original Dead Space developer EA Redwood Shores / Visceral Games, revealed they all joined together to pitch EA on Dead Space 4.We tried, actually, the three of us, Schofield revealed. Dead Space 4. Were talking this year.Unfortunately for Dead Space fans, EA said it wasnt interested, with Schofield suggesting projections for how many copies Dead Space 4 would have to sell to make the venture worthwhile were perhaps a key factor in the decision.We didnt go too deep, Schofield explained. They just said, We're not interested right now. We appreciate it blah blah blah, and you know we know who to talk to. So we didn't take it any further. And we respected their opinion. They know their numbers and what they have to ship and all that so yeah.IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250Stone added that the video game industrys high-profile struggles and its subsequent risk aversion has made projects such as Dead Space 4 a particularly hard sell.The industry is in a weird place right now, Stone said. People are really hesitant to take chances on things. So you got to take it with a grain of salt. Who knows, maybe one day. I think we'd all love to do it.Yeah, Schofield continued, we got some ideas.I'd make a Dead Space 4, Stone declared.Alas, it sounds like Dead Space 4 is an unlikely prospect, with EA focusing on its enormously successful sports games, The Sims, the revival of Battlefield, and Respawns ongoing projects, including the third Star Wars Jedi game. BioWare recently released Dragon Age Veilguard and is working on Mass Effect 5.EA released the well-received Dead Space remake in 2023, but since then EA hasnt said anything about a potential Dead Space 4. The last mainline game in the franchise, Dead Space 3, came out over a decade ago, in 2013.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.