The gaming industry in 2025 faced significant challenges, particularly with the increasing influence of artificial intelligence. Many anticipated innovations were overshadowed by AI-related issues, leading to a wave of disappointment among gamers and developers alike. As AI slop infiltrated more titles, the quality and creativity of games suffered, resulting in a landscape that felt stale and uninspired. Moreover, the cancellation of promising projects and the unfortunate loss of jobs within the industry added to the disheartening narrative of the year.