The video game industry is fascinating. It has been in a constant state of gradual evolution since its inception, and it’s showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. Every single year has proven crucial for the development of gaming as a whole, and 2026 is obviously not about to be an exception.
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Truth be told, gaming is going to change forever in 2026, and some consumers may not even be aware of what the industry has in store. Whether it’s the release of a highly anticipated AAA title or the sudden arrival of new & experimental technology, the following events are going to completely redefine the gaming industry this coming year.
The Steam Machine
Valve Is Finally Dipping Its Toes Into The World Of Console Gaming
For the last twenty years, three big console manufacturers have been participating in the fabled “Console Wars”: Nintendo, Sony (PlayStation), and Microsoft (Xbox). It seemed like nobody, not even tech giants like Apple or Google, could interfere (try as they might). However, just when Microsoft began making more and more questionable decisions that have resulted in major financial losses (and many people believe will lead to its inevitable fall from the home console race), Valve has announced a brand-new system that could completely replace the Xbox brand.
In November 2025, Valve announced the Steam Machine, a console that would allow Steam users to play any game in their Steam library on a TV or monitor, similar to the Steam Deck, but on a larger scale. Since most people already use their Xbox to play games they can also play on PC, the Steam Machine may very easily replace the Xbox brand as the new big player in the “Console Wars.”
Even if the Steam Machine doesn’t succeed in that regard, the mere concept of Valve releasing its own dedicated home console will still have huge repercussions for the rest of the industry. The only thing this system has going against it is its price, as it has been reported that it will most likely be as expensive as a high-quality gaming PC, and that could discourage many casual consumers from buying one.
The First Full Year Of The Nintendo Switch 2
Is Time For Nintendo To Prove The Worth Of Its Latest Hybrid Device
2025 marked the arrival of Nintendo’s next-gen console (and the successor to the Nintendo Switch), the Nintendo Switch 2. Needless to say, this hybrid console's release was polarizing. Most gamers have enjoyed its advanced graphics, its more refined Joy-Cons, and its collection of incredible exclusives — like Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World or Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment — but others have criticized it for the high price of both the games and the console itself, and for many other questionable business decisions that the Big N has made in 2025 (like charging money for Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour).
Nevertheless, it's no secret that a console's first year on the market is never its absolute best year, as it's mainly used to test the waters by releasing a few solid exclusives that will encourage people to buy the device. However, things are different in 2026, because the Nintendo Switch 2 will be entering its second year (and its first full year), so Nintendo needs to take a big swing if it wants to keep its console's sales up and win over its detractors.
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While there are some promising Switch 2 games on the horizon (like Mario Tennis Fever or The Duskbloods), Nintendo tends to announce and release new games within the same year, so it’s difficult to predict what it has in store for fans in 2026. Brand-new entries in some of its most beloved franchises will likely be announced in the next few months, like Kirby, Super Smash. Bros, Pokemon (which is turning 30), and The Legend of Zelda (which is turning 40), so it may actually end up being a fruitful year for the Switch 2 if Nintendo plays its cards right.
Marvel's Wolverine
Will Define If Other Marvel Heroes (Aside From Spider-Man) Can Star In Their Own Solo Video Games
There are multiple high-quality AAA games currently scheduled to release in 2026, with one of the most notorious and important ones being Marvel's Wolverine, from Insomniac Games. Yes, the release of this title is actually much more important than it may seem, because it will define if other iconic Marvel superheroes (those that aren’t named Spider-Man) are worthy of starring in their own solo AAA titles.
Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham and Insomniac’s Marvel's Spider-Man are arguably the two most influential superhero game series on the market (especially when it comes to single-player action adventures), but people are eager to play as other comic book characters, and the X-Men are one of them. Of course, there are other superhero games currently in development, but they either belong to completely different genres (like Marvel Tokon) or they are years away from release (like Rise of Hydra or Blade).
If Marvel's Wolverine performs well both critically and financially, then it might lead to a new age of AAA games starring Marvel icons, and the possibilities are almost endless. Fortunately, it seems like this upcoming title is on its way to becoming a massive worldwide hit, as Insomniac has been working hard on its development for over four years. Based on the official trailers and screenshots that Sony has released, it seems like the final product will be an over-the-top, fast-paced, and action-packed solo adventure starring everyone’s favorite X-Man.
Grand Theft Auto 6
The Single Most Important Gaming Event Of The Year (And Possibly Of All Time)
There’s no doubt about it: Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most anticipated video game of 2026, and its release is going to be absolutely massive, for the consumers, for Rockstar Games, and even for other game developers. After all, insiders have claimed that various companies are trying to stay as far away as possible from GTA 6’s release date to prevent their games from selling poorly in its wake.
Not only have GTA fans been waiting for this game since 2013, but Rockstar has repeatedly revealed that the final product will be incredibly ambitious and realistic, so it’s easy to see why the hype built up around this title is extremely high right now. On top of all that, Grand Theft Auto 6 has already been delayed twice (and there are rumors that it may happen again), so gamers are growing more and more impatient by the day.
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Almost every single GTA game has been a huge success that redefined the open-world sandbox genre in one way or another, and it’s safe to say that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be no exception. If this game delivers on its huge promise and is as excellent as it looks, then most future open-world titles will try to replicate its success. However, if it ends up being a disappointment that fails to meet its sales expectations, then the fates of Rockstar, Take-Two, and the entire AAA industry will be more uncertain than ever.
Generative AI Implementation
AI Is Here To Stay, And Most Gamers Absolutely Despise It
Advancements in technology used to be exciting and almost always influenced game development in positive ways. However, one of the most recent new technologies, generative AI, has turned out to be extremely polarizing, and most consumers (whether they’re moviegoers, anime watchers, or gamers) don’t want it anywhere near their favorite properties.
Unfortunately, AI already has a presence in the gaming industry, seeing as storefronts like Steam are filled to the brim with low-quality, low-budget games packed full of AI-generated assets. Some companies have already faced scrutiny due to alleged use of this technology. It seems like things are going to get even worse in 2026, as tech companies have invested a lot of money in generative AI and are constantly pushing other, smaller companies to use it as a result.
Assets made with generative AI not only look terrible, but this technology is also trying to replace artists and designers, the people who have been carrying the gaming industry on their backs since its inception. Hopefully, there’s a middle ground in which AI can be used for menial and repetitive tasks instead of using it to remove the much-needed human element from video games. Even the legendary Hideo Kojima has stated that, while he remains unimpressed by AI, the technology may find its place in the industry if it's properly trained in the next few years.
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