2024 Year in Review

What a remarkable year it’s been in the video game industry! From groundbreaking releases to seismic shifts in the media landscape, 2024 has demanded adaptability, creativity, and a whole lot of hustle. For video game PR, it’s been a year of navigating uncharted waters, but also a year that has laid the groundwork for a potentially transformative 2025. At Reverb, we’ve been in the thick of it, helping our clients understand the changes, but also find new ways to connect with players and achieve success.

The Evolving Media Landscape: Fewer Outlets, Bigger Challenges

The video game media landscape experienced a dramatic contraction in 2024, with major outlets like IGN, GamesIndustry.biz, GameSpot, Giant Bomb and Fanbyte undergoing layoffs. This contraction demonstrates a wider trend that has serious implications for video game PR: fewer journalists and outlets mean increased competition for coveted media coverage.

But at Reverb, we turned challenges into opportunities by:  

• Strengthening our relationships with the remaining journalists.
• Expanding rapport with international, niche and enthusiast press.
• Exploring new avenues for directly reaching players.

While the traditional media landscape may be shrinking, the gaming audience continues to grow, and we’re committed to finding fresh, innovative ways to connect our clients with players.

Digital Showcases & Awards: The New Main Stage

As traditional media shifted, digital showcases and award events emerged as the new main stage for game announcements and marketing. Events like The Game Awards, Steam Next Fest, IGN Fan Fest, and Gamescom Opening Night Live are now major cultural moments, offering unparalleled global reach and direct engagement with players.

Reverb’s close relationships with event organizers have been crucial in securing high-profile placements. From building pre-event buzz to executing post-event follow-up, we’ve developed strategies to ensure a game gets visibility in front of millions of potential players. We’ve seen exceptional results with our client games enjoying increased visibility, positive reception, and a surge in player interest with these strategic appearances.

Standing Out in a Sea of Games: Creativity is King

The growing number of game releases, particularly in the indie space, has made standing out a monumental challenge. Traditional PR tactics alone aren’t enough to cut through the noise. Creativity is essential to effective video game PR.

At Reverb, we’ve embraced this challenge. 

• Innovative Campaigns: We recently executed a unique mailer campaign for Farming Simulator that perfectly captured the game’s charm and generated significant buzz among content creators. This campaign is a testament to the power of thinking outside the box and finding innovative ways to connect with the target audience. But the Farming Simulator mailer is just one example. 
• Targeted Influencer Campaigns: Organic and paid influencer activations can be a great way to speak directly to players.
• Unique Event Activations: Designed to help our clients’ games make a lasting impression.

Indicators of a Turning Tide: Why 2025 is Poised for Growth

While 2024 had its hurdles, there are strong indicators that 2025 could be a year of significant growth and opportunity:

• The Game Awards Momentum: The positive reception of The Game Awards 2024, with its exciting new game announcements like OD, Blade, Exodus, Monster Hunter Wilds, Light No Fire, has generated a buzz that will carry over into the new year. We’re already leveraging this excitement to build anticipation for our clients’ upcoming projects.
• The Anticipation of New Hardware: The rumored Nintendo Switch 2 is generating immense excitement. Historically, new hardware drives innovation and investment, and we expect this to be no different. We’re already hearing from developers excited about the potential of the new platform, and Reverb is preparing to support clients launching titles on this highly anticipated console.
• AAA Game Pipeline Filling Up: Delays in 2024 mean that 2025 is set for a strong lineup of AAA titles. This suggests renewed confidence from major publishers and a potentially competitive, but exciting, landscape for big-budget releases. Reverb’s extensive experience with AAA launches positions us to help clients navigate this environment.
• Indie Innovation: The indie scene remains a hotbed of creativity. With support from platforms like Steam, Epic, Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox, indie developers have opportunities to pitch their game’s inclusion. Through our Indie Launchpad initiative, Reverb helps indie developers find their audience, through creative and impactful PR campaigns, paired with marketing opportunities with first parties.
• Evolving Live Service Games: Players demand compelling content and genuine value in their games. Reverb’s experience in launching and sustaining live service titles makes us an ideal partner for developers navigating this space, helping them garner consistent coverage and hit their KPIs.
• Potential M&A Activity: While 2024 saw some consolidation, strategic acquisitions in 2025 could strengthen key players in the industry and create new opportunities.

VII. Reverb is Ready for 2025

At Reverb, we don’t just adapt to change – we embrace it. Our adaptability, creativity, strong industry relationships, and deep understanding of the evolving landscape make us the ideal partner for developers and publishers looking to craft impactful campaigns.

From forging genuine connections with players, to embracing new technologies, and crafting innovative campaigns that cut through the noise, we’re passionate about what we do, and we’re ready to lead the way.

Ready to make 2025 your year? Contact Reverb today to discover how we can elevate your game’s success in this exciting and dynamic landscape. Let’s build the future of gaming together!