Digital product platform GAMIVO has published new research revealing that most gamers prefer newer titles. According to the study, 60% of video games purchased in 2025 were released in 2021 or later.
Other findings include:
- 28.4% of games bought this year debuted between 2016 and 2020.
- 10% were released between 2011 and 2015.
- Just 2.5% of games purchased in 2025 premiered 15 years ago or earlier.
Industry experts note that these results are expected, given the dominance of new franchises and the excitement surrounding upcoming blockbusters.
Why New Titles Dominate Purchases
Paweł Zemka, CRO at GAMIVO, explained that gamers prefer to stay up-to-date with the latest releases, especially when popular franchises drop new entries.
“Titles released within the last five years dominate so overwhelmingly because gamers want to stay up-to-date. The amount of buzz caused by every piece of information about GTA VI proves this tendency,” Zemka said.
The appeal of fresh gameplay, cutting-edge graphics, and cultural hype keeps modern games at the forefront of players’ wish lists.
Nostalgia in Gaming: Collectibles and Merchandise
While new releases dominate, retro gaming still thrives in other forms. Many players collect:
- Sealed copies of classic games
- Vintage consoles
- Merchandise featuring iconic characters
Gaming companies have capitalized on this nostalgia by producing everything from themed gadgets to Lego sets recreating 8-bit consoles.
The Golden Age of Remakes and Remasters
Zemka emphasized that players don’t always need to buy old releases to relive classic adventures. Instead, the gaming industry is currently in the “golden age of remasters, remakes, and reboots.”
In 2025 alone, several fan-favorite titles have returned with updated visuals and gameplay, including:
- Oblivion
- System Shock 2
- Neverwinter Nights 2
- Heretic
- Gears of War
- Tomb Raider IV–VI
Additionally, genres inspired by past decades, such as boomer shooters and pixel-art Metroidvanias, are attracting both older fans and younger players.
Nostalgia and Innovation Can Coexist
According to GAMIVO, nostalgia and innovation are not opposites but rather complementary forces shaping the gaming industry.
“It shows that when it comes to gaming, nostalgia can go hand in hand with the desire for development and playing new games,” Zemka concluded.
Key Takeaway
The GAMIVO 2025 study underscores how new titles drive the gaming industry, but also how nostalgia fuels remakes, reboots, and retro-inspired genres. For gamers, the future looks like a blend of fresh experiences and reimagined classics.
