The furor over the reports that Microsoft is considering bringing some of its library multiplatform is largely missing the target. Console warriors are wading back into the trenches to talk about the future of their pointless battle over plastic boxes. But this situation has the potential to offer both positives and negatives.

We think it’s safe to say that no one anticipated just how miserable 2023 would be for the amazing people creating the games we love. And while this year did bring us a deluge of delight in terms of the games, the play experiences were overshadowed by the trauma and despair of the more than 10,000 people who found themselves out of work… some just a few days before Christmas.

With 2022 behind us, it’s time for our annual look back and look ahead at the biggest trends shaping the video game industry. While we might have new jobs, Virtual Economy and our trends analysis aren’t going anywhere. So sit back, grab a cup of your favorite holiday beverage, and join us for our annual review!