GDC 2025: The Trends Shaping the Gaming Industry

Every year, tens of thousands of game programmers, artists, producers, designers, and support vendors gather in the heart of San Francisco for the Game Developers Conference (GDC), where industry professionals come to meet old and new friends, discuss key industry trends and innovations, and celebrate the art of gaming.

Lionbridge Games attended GDC 2025, which saw over 400 exhibitors, 1,000 speakers, and 30,000 attendees. Though attendance has seen a slight decline, this year’s conference was ripe with opportunity, particularly in the external development and outsourcing spaces.

Through summits, workshops, and talks with our partners and friends, we gained valuable insights about the trends impacting the industry this year. Here are our key takeaways from GDC 2025.

1. External, Distributed, and Co-Development are the Future

Games — especially AAA — have seen a jump in quality and, consequently, production time. These games are complicated and demand not only more people but more expertise. As it becomes increasingly difficult to do everything in-house, outsourcing is becoming crucial for shipping faster and maintaining quality. Many vendors are moving toward specialization to support larger studios with one key part of the process. Others have focused on becoming a one-stop shop for outsourcing needs, and these trends are likely to continue as player expectations climb.

2. Team Culture is Crucial

For quite some time, vendors were completely separate from the developer, with different locations, resources, and teams. Those days are quickly fading as developers have recognized the benefits of integrating vendors more closely into the development process. It’s becoming increasingly popular — and preferential — to embed and empower vendor teams to feel like an extension of the developer. This not only promotes a positive team culture but allows teams to share resources, communicate better, and create more efficient workflows.

3. We Need More Clarity Around AI

Generative AI has shaken up the gaming world, but while some studios have readily adopted its use, others remain wary of this new technology, especially concerning its use in localization. While AI-generated imagery and voice are widely rejected in final products, localization is a much more contested domain. Fears around the use of AI in loc often stem from a lack of clarity regarding the exact scope of use, use cases, and human intervention. As this technology continues to evolve and sees more practical use in game development, it will become increasingly important for companies to be transparent about their AI products and policies.

4. Communication is Still a Pain Point

Though this point may seem obvious, it is not often taken to heart. Communication is crucial for any partnership, and this applies to both parties. With all the buzz surrounding new technologies and business strategies, it’s essential to take a step back and make sure that communications are clear and documented to avoid unnecessary frustration, misunderstandings, costly errors, and extra workload.

5. Poor Tech Onboarding is a Hidden Killer

As things are often urgent in the gaming world, onboarding plans can get lost in a sea of RFPs, pitches, and negotiations. However, the onboarding process isn’t just necessary for making a good impression. A good onboarding strategy saves valuable time and ensures smooth operations from the get-go. Having the proper tool integration is crucial.

GDC 2025 provided a wealth of knowledge and insights, reaffirming the ever-evolving nature of the gaming industry. As it continues to innovate and expand, these key takeaways will surely shape the future strategies and practices of game developers and their partners alike.

Want to learn more about trends shaping the games industry? Check out our top 5 blogs of 2024, or reach out to get connected with one of our experts.