- Andrew S, Asst. Producer
My favorite game from this year has to be “Claire Obscur: Expedition 33”. What else can be said about this game that the entire internet hasn’t already said? It is a heartfelt love letter to turn-based RPGs, calling back to classics like Super Mario RPG and older Final Fantasy titles, but studio Sandfall Interactive didn’t stop there. Nearly every single aspect of this game was deliberately crafted down to the smallest possible detail, and you can sense the developers’ passion in every part of the experience. From the outstanding music to the breathtaking art design to the remarkable story being told, I have nothing but high praise for this game. The game was created with passion and care at its core, and it is impossible for me not to appreciate the effort of the remarkable and talented team at Sandfall Interactive.
- Justin J, Asst Project Manager
For my 2025 Producer Pick, I chose Maplestory World – SouthPerry, a title that perfectly captures the gaming trends of recent years—and the direction I believe the industry will continue moving toward.
Maplestory World is Nexon’s user-generated content (UGC) platform, allowing anyone to create and play a variety of games built with Maplestory’s iconic assets. Among the countless creations on the platform, SouthPerry stood out to me the most.
What makes SouthPerry compelling is how it reimagines a beloved classic IP without simply repeating nostalgia. Instead of recreating the original Maplestory experience, the creators blended it with roguelite elements, one of the strongest and most consistent gameplay trends in recent years. The result is a fast-paced experience with constant progression, quick sessions, and a strong sense of accomplishment—perfect for modern players who may not have hours each day to commit, but still want meaningful, memorable gameplay moments.
The combination of a deep, long-standing IP with modern roguelite design feels incredibly relevant to today’s gaming market. For me, SouthPerry represents the sweet spot between familiarity and innovation: a game that honors Maplestory’s legacy while embracing what players enjoy right now.
– Mace T, Project Manager
2025 has been a weird year in gaming for me.
It seems every year I play more and more mobile titles and console/PC games take a backseat.
Which is weird because I went from almost no mobile gameplay, a few years ago, to it becoming my major way to pass the time with games.
While I do have evergreen titles that I go back to every once in a while like Awesomenauts, the Elder Scrolls Online, and daily word puzzles like Connections [New York Times] and Pinpoint [LinkedIn], the game that has impressed me the most over the last year is Monopoly GO (MG).
Certainly not the game I would normally put on the top of a games list, but as a designer and artist I genuinely appreciate the cute, cartoony visual design. Social casino games can be quite routine, but MG has truly been innovative in the game design area, which I appreciate as a game producer. The team at Scopely, the developer of Monopoly Go, pushes the limits constantly and really makes progression hooks feel fresh each season. The new Harry Potter event just started, so if you want to collect those special stickers it’s still early!
There is a lot to learn from massive games like Monopoly GO that I think will take a long time for console/PC games to catch up, and I’m excited to see where the industry goes with strong titles like MG leading the way.
Thanks for joining us!
Next week we’ll take a look at some titles we’re looking forward to next year (including some from Gravity!) before we close out the year and take a break for holidays!
Have a great day!!
