January 2025 marked a dynamic start to the year for the gaming industry, with a flurry of releases, events, and industry developments setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting year ahead. The month saw a mix of highly anticipated game launches, industry gatherings, and strategic shifts among major players. The month culminated with the PC release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on January 30th, expanding the reach of this popular title.

January also hosted several significant industry events. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) ran from 5th to 10th January, showcasing the latest in gaming technology. The 14th Annual New York Game Awards took place on 21st January, celebrating achievements in the gaming world. Additionally, the Taipei Game Showcase 2025, held from 23rd to 26th January attracted an estimated 350,000 attendees, highlighting the industry's global reach¹.

January Overview

Game releases slowed for January, with 9% fewer games being released compared to December. Despite the reduction in releases, there was no difference in the saturation score or peer rank of games released in January compared to games released in December. Games were, on average, more expensive in January at $9.64 compared to December's average of $8.84, but sales of games are up with a 15% increase in average estimated revenue compared to games released in December which could be a result of reduced competition giving indie games and smaller titles a better chance to stand out and gain visibility on the platform.

Many players receive gift cards or have disposable income after the holidays, making them more likely to purchase new games in January². This can lead to increased sales potential for newly released titles. By releasing in January, developers can avoid competing with heavily discounted games during the Steam Winter Sale, which typically ends in early January⁵. This allows new releases to maintain their full price without being overshadowed by discounted titles.

Releasing in January allows developers to use the quieter period after the holidays to make final adjustments and prepare for launch, ensuring a more polished product². A January release can set the tone for the rest of the year, potentially building momentum and community interest that can carry through subsequent months³. Many AAA titles are released in Autumn, so launching in January helps avoid direct competition with these big-budget games⁴.

14% of January releases were games in Early Access. For developers considering Early Access, January can be a good time to launch, as it allows for a longer development cycle throughout the year with regular updates⁶. Developers are able to take advantage of renewed interest in gaming, with players looking for new experiences at the start of the year. January releases can tap into this enthusiasm and potentially benefit from increased player engagement³.

While January releases can be advantageous, it's important to note that the specific date within January matters. Developers are advised to avoid launching during Steam events or sales, and to consider releasing on a Monday or Wednesday for optimal visibility.^4,5

Top 5 Games Released on Steam in January

We use a combination of Peer Rank and Steam DB Score to determine our top games as opposed to revenue because success is defined by more than just overall monetary gain, especially when it comes to free-to-play titles. Using Steam DB Score and Peer Rank combines the sentiment of reviews, how many reviews they received and how this compares to the 100 most similar games surrounding a title. The result is a list of the most-loved, best selling games on Steam.

1. FlyKnight - First-person dungeon crawler
2. Tokyo Xtreme Racer - Arcade-style racing
3. The Inn-Sanity - Narrative-driven horror/survival
4. Last Train Outta Wormtown - Multiplayer party game
5. Threefold Recital - Narrative-driven platformer

January's top 5 is a varied mixture of games with more differences than similarities. This highlights the varied interests among players around the world and the opportunities for creating a game that is loved by players are far reaching in terms of styles, genres, and gameplay.

Similarities between January's Top Games

• FlyKnight and The Inn-Sanity both involve exploration and navigation through confined spaces.
• Threefold Recital and The Inn-Sanity emphasise narrative and character interactions.

Key Differences between January's Top Games

• Tokyo Xtreme Racer stands out as the only racing game among the group.
• Last Train Outta Wormtown is the only multiplayer-focused title.
• While The Inn-Sanity and Threefold Recital both focus on narrative, they differ greatly in tone and setting.

Overview of Indie Games Released in January

January 2025 underscored the need for indie developers to capitalise on strategic release windows and networking opportunities while addressing persistent challenges in funding, visibility, technology adoption, and resource management. The indie landscape requires resilience, creativity, and a focus on sustainable development practices.

January was also a time for networking and learning. Major industry events like the Global Game Jam and PG Connects London saw thousands of attendees with activity, offering indie developers a chance to connect, share ideas, and get inspired. Gearing up for Early Access releases remained a viable strategy, as evidenced by some developers already amassing significant wishlists.

Top 5 Indie Releases in January

You'll notice that this list is almost identical to the Top 5 for January overall, which is a testament to the flexibility and innovation harnessed by indie developers to meet player needs and surpass AAA performance. 

1. FlyKnight
2. Tokyo Xtreme Racer
3. The Inn-Security
4. Last Train Outta Wormtown
5. Jaded

January's Top Indie Game: FlyKnight

Let's take a closer look at the similar games around this month's top indie game:

This title exists in quite a saturated corner of the Steam marketplace, but similar games are likely to do well and surpass 1000 copies sold. The SteamDB score of these games and the average peer rank does indicate that there are some improvements to be made to these types of games though and that not all players expectations and needs were met.

FlyKnight has captured the attention of gamers with its unique blend of nostalgic aesthetics and challenging gameplay.^6,7 This bite-sized adventure has garnered praise for its mechanics, and player-friendly features.

Marketing Efforts

The developers of FlyKnight employed several effective marketing strategies to promote their game such as utilising platforms like YouTube and X to share updates and engage with their audience, building anticipation for the game's release and allowing gamers to provide feedback with re-posts after launch. The developer also encouraged word-of-mouth marketing by fostering a strong community around the game, which is often considered one of the most effective advertising methods.⁸

Innovative Mechanics

FlyKnight introduces several unique gameplay elements that set it apart from other Souls-like games. Players can target specific limbs of enemies, adding a strategic layer to battles and altering fight dynamics. The game incorporates a fishing mechanic that provides temporary "stat buffs", offering a refreshing break from combat. Progress in the game is determined by equipment and strategy rather than traditional character levelling, emphasising skill-based gameplay and players can adjust visual settings to match their nostalgic preferences, including choppy animations and old-school colour palettes⁷.

What Players Loved

FlyKnight has resonated with players for several reasons:

• Charming Aesthetic: The game's RuneScape-inspired visuals and adorable bug-themed world have endeared it to many players.^6,7
• Co-op Gameplay: The ability to play with up to four friends has been a significant draw, turning the short campaign into a fun, social experience.⁷
• Accessibility: With its 3-5 hour playtime and $5 price tag, FlyKnight offers an accessible entry point for those curious about Soulslike games.^6,7
• Rewarding Exploration: Hidden chests and secret areas encourage thorough exploration, adding depth to the compact world⁷.
• Unique Setting: The post-apocalyptic bug world and creative enemy designs have captivated players' imaginations.^6,7
• Arachnophobia Mode: The thoughtful inclusion of an option to replace spider enemies has been appreciated by players with arachnophobia⁷.

Player Feedback

While FlyKnight has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, there are a few aspects that some players didn't particularly enjoy. The game's short length (3-5 hours) and lack of a New Game+ mode disappointed some players who wanted more content after completing the main campaign⁹.

Several players reported bugs and glitches, including items disappearing from inventory, rebinding arrow keys for movement being impossible due to hard-coded functions and getting stuck in certain areas, such as being trapped within a forcefield or having difficulty walking up steep inclines.^9,10,12

Some players felt that certain areas had too many traps, which became repetitive and detracted from the overall experience. Although innovative, the absence of a levelling system or character upgrades left some players feeling that combat became less rewarding over time.¹¹ The game was lacking appropriate explanations of the advantages and disadvantages of different damage types, leaving players unsure about optimal weapon choices. This highlights the need to communicate your vision to your audience; what's obvious to you might not be obvious to them.

Despite these criticisms, it's important to note that the majority of players found FlyKnight to be an enjoyable experience, especially considering its low price point and unique concept. It has managed to carve out a niche, offering a memorable and enjoyable experience that players find well worth the price.

Overview of AAA Games Released in January

In January 2025, AAA game studios navigated a landscape marked by both significant opportunities and notable challenges. The month featured the anticipation of major releases generating considerable excitement among gamers. Additionally, industry events like the Global Game Jam and PG Connects London provided valuable networking and showcasing opportunities.

However, these studios also faced substantial hurdles. High development costs and extended production timelines posed risks to financial management and team morale. The pressure to release games at optimal times while ensuring quality remained a critical concern, compounded by ongoing issues related to crunch culture and employee burnout. Furthermore, the competitive landscape intensified with a packed line-up of releases for the year, necessitating strategic planning and innovation to capture player attention.

As the AAA gaming sector moves forward in 2025, it is clear that balancing these opportunities with the inherent challenges will be crucial for success in an evolving industry.

Top 5 AAA Games Released in January

1. Dying Light
2. BUMP! Superbrawl
3. Star Wars: Episode I Jedi Power Battles
4. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
5. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

January's Top AAA Game: Dying Light

Let's take a closer look at Dying Light and what we can learn from the 100 most similar games surrounding it on the map.

Similar games to this title tend to do incredibly well, achieving stratospheric average revenues and ranking above average on SteamDB score. The subject matter and style contributes the slightly elevated saturation score, but player reception remains high with an average SteamDB score of over 70%.

Dying Light, originally released on 26th January 2015, released a 10th Anniversary Edition last month. This has re-kindled interest in the title as it continues to captivate players with its unique blend of parkour-style movement and zombie survival gameplay.

Marketing Efforts

Techland employed a multi-faceted marketing strategy to promote this game. The team utilised platforms like Facebook and X (which was still called Twitter in 2015) to share updates and capitalise on trending topics and events, such as creating a zombie version of the viral Kim Kardashian Paper Magazine cover.¹³ Weekly "Dying HighLights" videos showcased specific gameplay elements in short, shareable clips and post-launch, they encouraged user-generated content through gameplay challenges, generating millions of impressions.¹³ Additionally, a parkour video inspired by the game went viral, reaching mainstream media and garnering millions of views.¹³

Innovative Mechanics

Dying Light introduced several unique gameplay elements such as parkour movement where the game's "Natural Movement" system allowed players to navigate the open world with fluid, free running-style movement. The developers created a dynamic day to night cycle where zombies became more aggressive and dangerous at night, adding tension and strategy to gameplay.¹⁴  Finally, players could engage in melee and ranged combat with a variety of craftable weapons.

What Players Loved

• Parkour System: The fluid movement and ability to traverse the environment freely was highly praised.
• Open World Design: The fictional city of Harran provided a vast, explorable playground for players.
• Day-Night Cycle: The increased challenge and tension at night added depth to the gameplay experience.
• Co-op Gameplay The ability to play with friends enhanced the overall enjoyment for many players.

What Players Didn't Like

• Story Delivery: Some players felt that the narrative didn't live up to the marketing promises of a choice-driven, faction-based storyline.
• Performance Issues: At launch, some players experienced technical problems and frame rate issues that didn't meet pre-release promises.
• Marketing Discrepancies: There was criticism that certain features promoted in marketing materials were not fully realised in the final game.

Despite these criticisms, Dying Light generally received positive reception and has maintained a dedicated player base clearly reactivated by the re-release. The game's unique blend of parkour mechanics and zombie survival gameplay, combined with its effective marketing strategy, contributed to its commercial success and popularity among players.

Conclusion

The difference in gameplay and aesthetics between this month's top games highlights that game developers can continue to push the boundaries with new innovations, but they must still be recognisable and feed a player's need to achieve and progress in a game. More traditional titles with the usual AAA 3D aesthetic will continue to flourish, but they are still held accountable by their players for mistakes or broken promises.

It will be interesting to see whether overall player preferences change over time and through the seasons, so make sure you check back for our February's report.

References

1. Game Rant | Video Game Industry Events and Conventions in 2025
2. Reddit | December or January for a game launch?
3. PC Gamer | The PC game releases we're most excited about in January
4. How to Market a Game | What's the best say to release an indie game
5. CNET | Learn When the Next Steam Sale Is and How to Save Money While Growing Your Game Library
6. Polygon | This $5 Soulslike is overflowing with gloomy vibes and evil ants
7. FlyKnight Website
8. SAE | Top 10 Marketing and Promotion Strategies for Games
9. YouTube (Scyushi) | Is this Indie Souls-Like Worth Your Time (FlyKnight Review in 2 Minutes)
10. Steam | FlyKnight Steam Community
11. YouTube (CtrlAltAustin) | Is FlyKnight Worth Playing?
12. Itch (Wabbaboy) | FlyKnight
13. MCV Develop | Dying Light: A quick autopsy of our social media strategy
14. Wikipedia | Dying Light