A look back at the gaming stories that captivated our readers in 2025 reveals a conflicted year where both great games and great works stood out alongside growing concerns over their impact on society.
The Guardian devoted considerable space to covering Roblox, with Sarah Martin shining a light on the dangers of its unregulated environment for children. The platform boasts more than 150 million daily users – predominantly youngsters who are vulnerable to exploitation. While some parents may be willing to restrict access, it is essential to ensure that those who play should do so under supervision.
Another topic generating interest among gamers was the self-proclaimed gaming prowess of Elon Musk. A recent exposé showed he had been faking his skills online, sparking amusement and a sense of vindication for writers like Keith Stuart, who penned an article on this phenomenon earlier in the year. It turned out to be just one of many incidents that showcased the richest man's tendency to self-promote without backing it up with genuine achievements.
Video games continue to wield considerable power over both economic and cultural landscapes. The Trump administration has employed meme-based recruitment tactics for ICE, which raises questions about their integration in wider social contexts and where gaming culture sits today.
In a year marked by many firsts, the release of 007 First Light offered something for fans eager to catch a glimpse into the world that would eventually give rise to Grand Theft Auto VI. The game's developers shared insights into the process of winning over Eon Productions, and we interviewed people from IO Interactive who persuaded them to take the plunge.
This year also saw the emergence of an appreciation among seniors for video games. Some have even grown to enjoy them as a new hobby that helps alleviate boredom. Adrienne Matei discussed this phenomenon in depth with Twitch streamers aged 60, sparking hope for future collaborations between different age groups.
Lastly, the push to understand why some gamers prefer playing their controllers upside down has given rise to actual scientific research. A recent study revealed surprising reasons behind the phenomenon, one that could help unlock a deeper understanding of online cultures and gaming experiences.
Looking ahead, we invite readers to reply with the most anticipated titles they're hoping for in 2026 – your picks could be featured in our January newsletter.
The Guardian devoted considerable space to covering Roblox, with Sarah Martin shining a light on the dangers of its unregulated environment for children. The platform boasts more than 150 million daily users – predominantly youngsters who are vulnerable to exploitation. While some parents may be willing to restrict access, it is essential to ensure that those who play should do so under supervision.
Another topic generating interest among gamers was the self-proclaimed gaming prowess of Elon Musk. A recent exposé showed he had been faking his skills online, sparking amusement and a sense of vindication for writers like Keith Stuart, who penned an article on this phenomenon earlier in the year. It turned out to be just one of many incidents that showcased the richest man's tendency to self-promote without backing it up with genuine achievements.
Video games continue to wield considerable power over both economic and cultural landscapes. The Trump administration has employed meme-based recruitment tactics for ICE, which raises questions about their integration in wider social contexts and where gaming culture sits today.
In a year marked by many firsts, the release of 007 First Light offered something for fans eager to catch a glimpse into the world that would eventually give rise to Grand Theft Auto VI. The game's developers shared insights into the process of winning over Eon Productions, and we interviewed people from IO Interactive who persuaded them to take the plunge.
This year also saw the emergence of an appreciation among seniors for video games. Some have even grown to enjoy them as a new hobby that helps alleviate boredom. Adrienne Matei discussed this phenomenon in depth with Twitch streamers aged 60, sparking hope for future collaborations between different age groups.
Lastly, the push to understand why some gamers prefer playing their controllers upside down has given rise to actual scientific research. A recent study revealed surprising reasons behind the phenomenon, one that could help unlock a deeper understanding of online cultures and gaming experiences.
Looking ahead, we invite readers to reply with the most anticipated titles they're hoping for in 2026 – your picks could be featured in our January newsletter.
it was crazy how fast she got hooked on that game like a few weeks in and she was already making friends online and stuff but then her teacher asked us about how she spent her free time and we were like "um well she plays games" and the teacher was all "okay cool" lol anyway that made me think about how important it is to keep an eye on what our kids are doing online esp since it's so accessible to, like 150 million people 
i mean if you're gonna fake skills online at least have the decency to back it up with some actual achievements or something lol anyway glad we got a good laugh out of it
do u guys think games like 007 first light will keep bringing us closer together or just making us more divided?
I feel you, it's wild how one platform like Roblox can have such a huge impact on kids... but also has these huge blind spots that put them at risk 
Like what's up with the fact that some parents aren't even aware of what their kids are doing online? It's super concerning. And omg, Elon Musk is just... he's got to stop pretending to be a gaming legend lol 
I mean, I get it, confidence is key, but come on man 
. Like, dude gets roasted online and suddenly he's got a bunch of people thinking they're just as "genuine" 
?
and then theres the other side where people are all about that retro gaming life. anyway back to roblox, it's like its a breeding ground for scammers or something. u gotta be careful when ur kids are online, even if its just a game.
like roblox, anyone can just make their own games and sell 'em to kids without knowing the risks 
! Can't blame writers like Keith Stuart for calling him out on it. But seriously, it's gotta be hard being in the public eye and living up to all those hype trains. Anyway, I'm hyped for 2026 – can't wait to see what other games come out! 
...like what even is that?! 
That guy's got some 'splainin' to do! 
Anyway, I'm hyped for 2026 and all the new games that are gonna come out. What are you most looking forward to playing next year? 
. Like, Elon Musk trying to fake his gaming skills and all 
! It's also cool how scientists are studying why people like playing controllers upside down 
. Who knew there was actually science behind gaming quirkiness 
... I mean, who knew 60-year-olds could be pro gamer lolz...
! But at the same time, I do think it's a bit concerning that some platforms like Roblox are basically unregulated, and you gotta keep a close eye on your kid when they're playing online. It's not just about restricting access, though – we should be making sure these platforms have safeguards in place to protect users from harm