In 2025, the video game industry's long-standing isolation from broader cultural and political issues began to break down, according to a Kotaku review of the year. This shift was highlighted by public responses to Microsoft's involvement in Israeli Defense Force operations in Gaza. The review frames the year as a pivotal and negative turning point for the industry and society.
The Kotaku review of 2025, published on January 2, 2026, portrays the year as one where the 'cultural firewall' protecting the gaming industry from wider societal concerns collapsed. The author argues that video games, despite their mainstream status, have historically maintained a degree of separation from global issues, allowing claims of apolitical nature even amid significant influences like gambling mechanics in gacha games and loot boxes, as well as industry sell-outs to private equity and Saudi investments.
A key example cited is the Israeli Defense Force's extensive use of Microsoft services for surveillance and operations in Gaza and the West Bank. This relationship, described as one of the most horrific tech stories, prompted multifaceted responses including a consumer boycott of Xbox, actions by developer unions, and investigative reporting from outlets like The Guardian and People Make Games, featuring journalist Chris Bratt.
The review notes that major companies such as Electronic Arts, Sony, and Microsoft have driven innovations in layoffs and studio closures despite record profits, mirroring broader economic trends. This convergence of forces—economic, political, and moral—has eliminated hiding places, with the author warning that the 'rot has been monetized' and future prospects appear grim.
Framing 2025 metaphorically as a 'door slamming shut,' the piece emphasizes an ending to previous complacency. It calls for acknowledgment of harsh realities and collective improvement moving forward, without detailing specific gameplay or positive recaps of the year.