2023 Gaming Predictions (and 2022 review)

2022 is behind us and 2023 is now, meaning we can predict all kinds of wild things for the year ahead. Today I am going to look back at 2022’s predictions and laugh at how ridiculous those attempts at predicting the future were, plus look ahead to 2023, so we can do the same thing all over again one year from now.

2022 review

Without further delay, let’s have a look back at 2022.

NFTs go big

With retrospect this was an obvious one, a certain section of gaming did go big on NFTs, including Square Enix and Game Stop introducing their own NFT products. However, gamers shunned the world of NFTs and much of the market collapsed, just going to show, we can push back on trends we really don’t like.

Consoles and chip shortages continue…

This certainly was true in 2022, getting a new PC still remained very expensive due to the shortages around the world. Although GPU prices did start to fall, hopefully that trend will continue in 2023. Apparently Nintendo held back their new Nintendo Switch due to the shortages, so hopefully the shortages will ease up this year and we’ll finally see that new Switch.

Xbox announce a new Xbox dongle

This one didn’t happen, although we did see partnerships with TV companies like Samsung to have Xbox Game Pass built directly into the TV.

Microsoft will continue to acquire companies – Activision could be a candidate

This was surprisingly on point, with the Activision acqusition announced in January. However, it didn’t get much further than talk, which turned into mud slinging from Sony, with the Japanese company trying to throw multiple wrenches into the deal. Sony’s argument seems to hinge on Microsoft’s acquisition of Call of Duty, which did have record breaking numbers too.

More successful video game TV shows

We certainly did see more successes when it came to TV shows based on video games, and that looks set to continue into 2023. Cyberpunk’s Edge Runner was probably the most successful, leading to a resurgence in Cyberpunk 2077 sales.

Gaming will dabble in the metaverse, laying the foundations for the future

This was rather a timid prediction. However, in 2022 Meta (formerly Facebook) tried to get big into the metaverse, which shockingly bad results. Fortnite and Epic continued to demonstrate how it’s done, and why we already have the metaverse here, that Meta is trying so hard to build.

Hollow Knight will be shown at an indie direct and released on the same day

We did see Hollow Knight this year, but unfortunately it wasn’t released.

Sony will launch their Game Pass competitor

Sony did revamp PlayStation Plus. As to whether it’s a competitor to Game Pass that’s arguable. Sony might say it is, other may disagree. Personally, I don’t think it’s a Game Pass competitor, but I think Sony want it to be.

Bobby Kotich stays in charge at Activision Blizzard

This is unfortunately true, but hopefully not for much longer.

Bloodborne remaster

This one didn’t come true and continues to be on everyone’s wish list. Sony did announced Last of Us, Returnal for 2023, plus released Spider-Man, Mile Morales, Unchartered and more in 2022.

2023 Predictions

Let’s look ahead to 2023.

Valve to launch a rival to Xbox Game Pass

All eyes have been on Sony, however, I think this could be the year Valve surprises everybody and released their own Game Pass subscription service. Valve had a very successful 2022 with the launch of the Steam Deck and it would be a very shrewd move to follow that up with a Game Pass rival.

Spider-man 2 will be delayed into 2024

Not good news for Spider-man fans this year. While Insomniac only recently accounced the release date for Spider-man 2 with their announcement on Twitter, unfortunately I don’t think it’s going to make it, and it’ll be pushed back into 2024.

Sony will buy Square Enix

Sony are ramping up their live service activities this year, but I think they’re going to ramp up acquisitions also, and Square Enix are the perfect partners. Last year Square Enix shed some studios, with the sale of Edios, Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix Montreal. Square Enix shed their North American Studios, and this could be in preparation for a potential sale. Whether Square Enix need to be bought is another matter, what with their Final Fantasy 14 money.

Supply chain return to normal

This year will be the year where we see supply chains return back to normal, post pandemic with prices of graphics cards and processors going down to normal levels, plus we’ll be able to freely get Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 consoles. While many consoles have been available, they still haven’t been readily available, which has had an impact on which platform games get released on, with developers not being able to let go of the massive reach and installbase afforded by last-generation consoles.

Nintendo to release their Switch Pro

One of the main benefits of the supply chain going back to normal will be Nintendo’s ability to release their Nintendo Switch pro, or Super Nintendo Switch, whichever name you prefer. Rumours were so heavy in 2022, that Nintendo had their new console ready to go, it was a massive surprise when it wasn’t announced, and apparently this was because of supply chain issues. Nintendo is in dire need of new hardware, with some releases creaking at the seams in 2022 including Bayonetta 3 and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

New mainline Mario

Super Mario Odyssey was released in 2017, the same year as Breath of the Wild and the Nintendo Switch itself. 2017 was a bumper year for Nintendo Switch and I’m predicting 2023 is going to be another with the release of not only Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but also the next mainline Mario game.

Microsoft acquisition of Activision will go through, but not in 2023

Microsoft shook the very foundations of the gaming world in 2022 with their purchase of Activision Blizzard King, however, I don’t think this is going to go through in 2023, I think this one is going to drag out to 2024, plus we’re going to see some spectacular mud slinging, which got dirty in 2022, but I think that was only the starter compared to the 2023 main course.

Epic shows us the real metaverse

Fortnite had a big year in 2022, and will continue to demonstrate the benefits of the real metaverse in 2023. While Meta continues to spend billions on financing their version of the metaverse, it’s actually already here in Fortnite. All Epic has to do is push this into the mainstream beyond gamers and we have the metaverse. You can already be many TV show characters, Marvel super heroes and other random celebrities… it’s going to be interesting to see where Epic can take this next.

PSVR 2 to flop

The PSVR 2 is scheduled to release in February, but with the lack of backward compatbility and a lacking launch lineup, I’m predicting a pretty big failure when it comes to PSVR 2. It feels like Sony has already dropped this hardware, really not telling us about it, and given it’s launch is only a few months away it feels like Sony are begrudgingly going ahead with this launch. The VR market remains a tough cookie to crack and I don’t think Sony’s PSVR 2 is the device to make any more progress. The future of VR is a similar device compared to Meta Quest 2, and given Sony’s device is tethered and costs upwards of £500 and $500, I think this one is going to be dead on arrival.

Tears of the Kingdom will be Game of the Year

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is currently scheduled to come out on 12th May 2023. I think the Zelda team will have another hit on their hands and easily take away Game of the Year 2023.

Let me know in the comments your predictions for 2023.