2024 in Gaming: Highlights, Challenges, and Surprises

The gaming industry faced significant struggles in 2024, with layoffs and controversies, but standout games and unexpected moments brought some hope.

The gaming industry saw over 14,600 layoffs in 2024, reflecting widespread corporate restructuring and economic pressures.
Indie games like 'Balatro' and 'Animal Well' emerged as critical and fan-favorite hits, showcasing innovation in a challenging year for developers.
Major releases such as 'Dragon Age: The Veilguard,' 'Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,' and 'Astro Bot' received praise for their storytelling, gameplay, and technical achievements.
Surprises included the announcement of a Zelda game starring Princess Zelda, the return of Shadow the Hedgehog in a dedicated event, and the successful launch of 'Stalker 2' despite development hurdles.
Preservation efforts gained attention as GOG committed to maintaining classic games, and publishers like EA and 2K removed unpopular PC launchers for smoother gaming experiences.