NZ Indian Insights – Gaming News Report
2025 has been a blockbuster year for gaming, with a mix of new releases, long-awaited franchises, indie surprises, and evergreen classics dominating global conversations. According to aggregated trends from major gaming publications and Google search rankings, this year’s most talked-about games reflect how diverse and fast-evolving the gaming world has become.
Below is a clean, copyright-free, rewritten summary of 2025’s top trending games, crafted in Google News style.
Top Trending Games Worldwide (2025)
Ranked based on global search growth and popularity spike compared to the previous year.
1. Arc Raiders
A breakout success of 2025, Arc Raiders surged to the top with its explosive co-op gameplay, futuristic world design, and massive social media buzz. Its accessibility and fast-paced action helped it trend globally within weeks of release.
2. Battlefield 6
The Battlefield franchise returned with gritty realism, refined gunplay, and a modern battlefield setting that attracted FPS fans worldwide. Its early updates and improved multiplayer modes kept it trending steadily.
3. Strands
A visually striking action-adventure title that blends puzzle-based exploration with cinematic storytelling. Strands captured both casual and hardcore gamers, making it one of the year’s most-searched new IPs.
4. Split Fiction
Known for its “parallel-world” mechanic, this title gained popularity for offering players a unique narrative experience and choices that dramatically alter gameplay outcomes.
5. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
One of the year’s biggest artistic hits — praised for emotional storytelling, painterly visuals, and a fresh combat system. It resonated strongly with fans of story-driven adventures.
6. Path of Exile 2
A fan favourite amongst RPG lovers, the sequel’s early updates, expanded skill systems and new campaigns pushed it back into trending lists across gaming communities worldwide.
7. Grand Theft Auto VI
Despite still being unreleased, GTA VI continued to dominate global searches due to trailers, leaks, predictions, and fan hype. The anticipation alone placed it in the top trending charts of 2025.
8. Pokémon Legends: Z-A
The Pokémon franchise remains unstoppable. This new title brought modern visuals and an open-world twist that reignited excitement among long-time fans.
9. Minecraft
Still one of the most-played and most-searched games globally. Frequent updates, new biomes, and cross-platform accessibility keep it influential even after more than a decade.
10. Roblox
Fueled by its creator-driven universe, events, and younger audiences, Roblox continues to trend every year. Its metaverse-like ecosystem makes it a top global search performer yet again.
What These Trends Mean for NZ & Indian Diaspora Gamers
- Greater genre diversity — 2025’s list proves that gamers now enjoy everything: shooters, narrative adventures, RPGs, co-op games and sandbox platforms.
- Rise of new IPs — Arc Raiders, Split Fiction, and Clair Obscur show players crave original, refreshing concepts.
- Evergreen giants continue to dominate — Minecraft and Roblox prove community-built games still rule the internet.
- Massive pre-launch hype — GTA VI trending before release signals a shift: hype cycles are now more powerful than ever.
For Indian and NZ gamers, many of these titles are accessible across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and even cloud platforms, making it easy for cross-country communities to play together.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Based on this year’s surge:
- Major studios are leaning into cinematic story design and open-world exploration.
- Indie games are rising fast thanks to unique storytelling and artistic creativity.
- Multiplayer co-op shooters are still among the biggest crowd-pullers.
- Community-driven and creation-based games like Roblox and Minecraft will remain industry powerhouses.
Expect an even more competitive year ahead as both AAA and indie titles build on the momentum of 2025.
FAQs:
What makes a game “top trending” in 2025?
A game becomes trending based on a combination of factors such as global search volume, social media buzz, player activity, new updates, and overall rise in popularity compared to the previous year. Even unreleased titles like GTA VI can trend if anticipation and discussion are high enough.
Which platforms support most of the top trending games?
Most titles on the 2025 trending list are available across major platforms including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and in some cases, Nintendo Switch and cloud gaming services. Evergreen games like Roblox and Minecraft also run on mobile, making them highly accessible worldwide.
Why are older games like Minecraft and Roblox still trending in 2025?
These games continue to trend due to active communities, constant updates, user-created content, cross-platform support and strong social engagement. Their ability to stay fresh with new features keeps them among the most played and searched games every year.
What should gamers in New Zealand and the Indian diaspora look forward to in 2026?
Gamers can expect more open-world experiences, cinematic storytelling, and cross-play features. With the hype around GTA VI and growth of indie titles, 2026 is set to bring bigger technological upgrades, more accessible multiplayer options, and stronger global gaming communities.
