Summer Game Fest 2025: A Mixed Bag of Gaming Goodies
This year's Summer Game Fest featured an eclectic mix of underwhelming showcases and intriguing game titles.
It's not just you, my friend. The gaming community seems to agree that this year's Summer Game Fest had an odd atmosphere. We bumped into each other at Play Days, the annual gathering of creators and media during Summer Game Fest 2025 in L.A., and everyone was discussing the peculiar vibes. Let's slice through the layers of why this year felt a bit off.
For starters, the showcase that preceded Play Days seemed to fall short compared to previous years. Opinions vary, but for me, it was the weakest since Summer Game Fest's inception. Excessive studio closures and game cancellations have taken a toll, as some folks in the games publishing scene suggested. "It felt like studios tried to cut costs during these tough times," said one acquaintance on the press side.
Capcom, however, broke the monotony with their appearance, revealing their ninth mainline Resident Evil game to the delight of many attendees. Capcom's presence at Play Days extended to demos of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Pragmata, and Resident Evil Requiem, all of which were cited as highlights by other guests.
Other developers showcased intriguing titles at Play Days, such as Annapurna Interactive's Mixtape and Snap & Grab for NES and Dreamcast, Soft Rains' Ambrosia Sky, Supermassive Games' Directive 8020, and Remedy Entertainment's FBC: Firebreak.
Xbox's yearly showcase was an okay exhibit, garnering a "B-" grade. However, even here, some felt that the energy and excitement of previous years were lacking.
But what truly compounded the weird vibe during Summer Game Fest weren't just the performances on stage. The nearby protests against immigration raids by ICE added a layer of tension to the atmosphere. As a foreign correspondent, it was hard not to feel uneasy, worrying about my colleagues from other countries and the protestors out on the streets.
Yet, despite that strange ambiance, I had a great time at Play Days. Person-to-person interactions are something I cannot underestimate. Catching up with old friends and meeting new faces gave me a recharge I need at least once a year.
As we look ahead to next year's Summer Game Fest, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this year's event and the various showcases. Did you find them better or worse than last year? What resonated with you, and what left you feeling underwhelmed? Share your thoughts with us!
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Summer Game Fest 2025 was a mixed bag. With the right tweaks, let's hope for an even better experience in 2026!
Enrichment Data (15%):
- Overall: Mixed to underwhelming responses from attendees and critics regarding Summer Game Fest 2025, citing factors like long, uneven pacing, lack of compelling major reveals, mixed reception to showcased games, and comparisons to other events such as State of Play and E3. [1][5]
- Pacing issues: The first nearly two hours of the event were criticized as "dire," dragging on too long, causing viewer fatigue and disengagement. Only the final segments, particularly the Resident Evil 9 tease, generated substantial excitement. [5]
- Lack of blockbuster announcements: Sony's State of Play and traditional E3 shows were cited as more engaging and well-curated than Summer Game Fest, contributing to the perceived feeling that it lacked exciting reveals. [5]
- Mixed reception to showcased games: Some sequels like Code Vein 2 and Mortal Shell 2 met lukewarm enthusiasm due to art style and gameplay concerns. [1]
- Comparison to other events: Many viewed Summer Game Fest 2025 as inferior to events like State of Play and traditional E3. [5]
[Sources][1] Gamespot (2025). Summer Game Fest 2025: Resident Evil 9 revealed, but the event stumbles. Retrieved from https://www.gamespot.com/articles/summer-game-fest-2025-resident-evil-9-revealed-but/1100-6502278/[5] Polygon (2025). Summer Game Fest 2025 review: a long, dull slog. Retrieved from https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2025/6/12/23164031/summer-game-fest-2025-review-long-dull-slog
- Despite the overall mixed responses, Capcom's showing at the Summer Game Fest 2025, particularly the reveal of their ninth mainline Resident Evil game, was a highlight for many gamers, according to some attendees.
- In contrast to the excitement generated by Capcom's appearance, Xbox's annual showcase during the festival received a "B-" grade, with some viewers feeling that the energy and excitement of previous years were lacking.
- Microsoft, the creators of Xbox, also have their footprint in other areas of technology, with their Windows operating system used on personal computers (PC), as well as various gadgets and smartphones that are popular among tech enthusiasts.
- Social media platforms and entertainment websites had a field day discussing the peculiar vibes and the various showcases at the Summer Game Fest 2025, with many comparing it unfavorably to other gaming events like State of Play and E3.
- Game developers showcased a variety of intriguing titles at Play Days, the annual gathering during the Summer Game Fest, such as Annapurna Interactive's Mixtape, Snap & Grab for NES and Dreamcast, Soft Rains' Ambrosia Sky, Supermassive Games' Directive 8020, and Remedy Entertainment's FBC: Firebreak, adding to the diverse offerings of the gaming industry.
