Gaming's next wave isn't just about playing; it's about acquiring. 10 of the largest acquisitions happened in the last 3 years, so I predict 2025 will see M&A moves making large shifts in gaming. Here's why:

1. Entertainment giants (Netflix, Disney+, Prime) will realize gaming is the ultimate audience engagement tool. Owning gaming studios gives them direct access to billions of highly engaged users and valuable IP that can be transformed into shows, movies, and merch.

2. Tech giants are already making moves. Microsoft's $69B Activision deal and Take-Two's $12.7B Zynga purchase proved that gaming investments can pay off through subscriptions, microtransactions, and cross-platform synergies.

3. Streaming subscriber growth will inevitably slow down, forcing entertainment giants to find new ways to retain and monetize audiences. Gaming provides recurring revenue streams through in-game purchases, battle passes, and virtual goods that complement their existing content offerings. It's a no-brainer.

Stay tuned for more insights, predictions, updates, and hot takes around this in the next few weeks.