Gaming Industry Faces Major Shifts with Krafton Sony GTA VI

The video gaming industry is undergoing a wave of transformation in 2025 with major players like Krafton Sony and Rockstar Games making headlines for vastly different reasons Krafton is evolving PUBG into a platform based ecosystem Sony is battling Tencent over intellectual property rights and Rockstars delay of Grand Theft Auto VI is reverberating across the market These pivotal moves highlight the growing complexity opportunity and legal scrutiny within the gaming world as publishers redefine content strategies and platform ambitions.

Krafton Expands PUBG Universe, Embraces Platform Strategy and New Publishing Model

Krafton aims to evolve PUBG beyond its battle royale roots into a full-fledged gameplay creation platform.

Originally, Fortnite took inspiration from PUBG by introducing a battle royale mode — and now, PUBG is returning the favor by following Fortnite’s lead in transforming into a broader gaming platform rather than just a single game.

Krafton is preparing to launch several new titles, including a top-down shooter called PUBG: Blindspot, which will be officially revealed at Gamescom in Germany from August 20 to 24. Additionally, the company plans to initiate a closed alpha for its upcoming extraction shooter, Project Black Budget, later this year.

As reported by IGN, the video game publisher is refining its publishing approach by introducing a second-party publishing (2PP) framework. In essence, this model involves collaborations where an independent studio develops a game that is funded and published by the platform holder—typically resulting in platform exclusivity or strong brand alignment. One of the titles highlighted in this 2PP pipeline is EF Games’ Rivals Hover League, signaling the company's broader commitment to strategic partnerships.

Summary:

1. From Game to Platform: Krafton is reimagining PUBG as a gameplay creation platform, moving beyond its battle royale origins by adopting a strategy similar to Fortnite’s evolution into a broader gaming ecosystem.

2. New Titles Incoming: The company is set to unveil PUBG: Blindspot, a top-down shooter, at Gamescom 2025 (Aug 20–24), and will launch a closed alpha for its extraction shooter Project Black Budget later this year.

3. Second-Party Publishing Push: Krafton is implementing a second-party publishing (2PP) model to support exclusive partnerships with independent developers—highlighted by Rivals Hover League from EF Games.

Sony Sues Tencent Over Alleged Copycat of Horizon Franchise

Sony's PlayStation has filed a lawsuit against China-based gaming giant Tencent, alleging copyright and trademark infringement related to its "Horizon" franchise.

According to a lawsuit filed on July 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Sony Interactive Entertainment claims that Tencent’s upcoming title, Light of Motiram, is a “slavish clone” of its own games Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

Summary:

1. Legal Action Filed: Sony’s PlayStation division has initiated a lawsuit against Tencent, accusing the Chinese gaming giant of copyright and trademark infringement involving the Horizon game series.

2. Core Allegation: The lawsuit, filed on July 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims Tencent’s upcoming game Light of Motiram is a “slavish clone” of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

3. IP Protection at Stake: Sony alleges that Light of Motiram unlawfully replicates the gameplay, story elements, and visual style of the Horizon franchise, sparking concerns over intellectual property violations in the global gaming industry.

GTA VI Delay Sparks $2.7 Billion Industry Shakeup

The highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI has been officially delayed until 2026, causing noticeable ripple effects across the video game industry. According to a report by Ampere Analysis, the postponement could result in an estimated $2.7 billion revenue loss in 2025, impacting console sales, game purchases, and overall investor confidence.

According to Ampere Analysis via The Game Business, the absence of GTA 6 from the 2025 release lineup is expected to lead to around 700,000 fewer sales of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Initially anticipated to drive significant hardware and software demand this year, the game’s delay to 2026 has dampened market momentum.

Although the delay has disappointed fans, many within the industry are already strategizing how to make the most of the extended timeline. Still, it's clear that GTA VI is more than just a game—it's a major market force, and its absence will leave a significant void in the months ahead.

The postponement of GTA VI isn’t simply a setback for players; it’s a multi-billion-dollar disruption reverberating across the gaming landscape. With console sales stalling, game purchases slowing, and development schedules shifting, Rockstar’s flagship title is reshaping the outlook for 2025 in a major way.

Summary:

1. Massive Financial Impact: The delay of Grand Theft Auto VI to 2026 could lead to a $2.7 billion revenue loss in 2025, according to Ampere Analysis, affecting game sales, hardware demand, and investor sentiment.

2. Console Sales Take a Hit: The absence of GTA VI is projected to result in 700,000 fewer sales of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles this year.

3. Industry-Wide Repercussions: While fans are disappointed, developers and publishers are adjusting plans, as the delay reshapes 2025’s gaming calendar and underscores the franchise’s market dominance.

Conclusion:

As 2025 unfolds the video gaming industry finds itself at a strategic inflection point Kraftons platform pivot could redefine player engagement Sonys legal battle underscores the growing importance of IP protection and Rockstars GTA VI delay is triggering a market recalibration These developments signal a maturing sector one where innovation legal enforcement and timing can shape not just player experience but the future of the entire gaming economy.

About the Author

Karabi Sonowal is an experienced SEO Executive and Content Writer in digital marketing. She excels in SEO, content creation, and data-driven strategies that boost online visibility and engagement. Known for simplifying complex concepts, Karabi creates impactful content aligned with industry trends. She can be reached at [email protected]