From Our Worlds to Yours: Thank You for an Incredible 2025
As the year winds down, we’re afforded the opportunity to take a beat and look back at a truly memorable year for players. Across Team Xbox we’ve been creating new worlds, telling fresh stories and bringing legendary franchises back to our screens – and ensuring you can enjoy these experiences on more devices than ever before. For all of us, it truly is more than a game.
It’s been one of the most game-packed, award-winning years in our history – and none of it would have been possible without you.
With 2025 coming to a close, we want to take this opportunity to reflect, relive our favorite moments, and say thank you for joining us to play together this year.
We’re looking forward to 2026 – Xbox’s 25th anniversary year – as it’s set to be another memorable one for players, with more to come from many of the studios we’ve seen this year, and many more at Xbox.
Finally, to celebrate the year – we invited the teams to look back at their 2025 and tease a little of what’s coming next:
If you want to skip right to a specific title, click the buttons below:
Age of Empires & Age of Mythology: Retold
What would you like to say to players after your updates and expansions to the Age games this year?
The main message would be a resounding “thank you!” We are so honored that, 28 years after this franchise began, we can continue to expand it with new content, and we continue to welcome new players, reaching 70 million this year. This year has been our most content-rich year yet! We’ve brought three of our titles to PS5 and welcomed new players, as well as launching record-breaking expansions. We’re continuing to listen to what our players want to see as we work to grow our games and we’re so grateful to have them on this journey with us. Thank you for a wonderful 2025 to every one of you!
Are there any stories about how players have engaged with your games that you’d like to reflect on?
We’re constantly enjoying seeing how players play Age of Empires and Age of Mythology. Everything from surprising new strategies to the mods that are created. Some ones we’ve enjoyed this year include the Vassal game mode by Firesstones and Hosein81’s custom Korean civilization, both for Age of Empires IV.
One real highlight this year was the partnership we did with the Louvre, their first ever gaming partnership. We created a brand new scenario in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition to allow players to live the history that their exhibition was built around, the Mamluk Dynasty. The scenario was also the focus of workshops people could attend at the Louvre to play through our game, with a historian teaching the context of the battle they were controlling.
It’s also worth noting that the way our developers play our games often has me tickled too. There’s definitely a lot of internal competition to complete in-game challenges, e.g. the monthly Pantheon Pin-Up event in Age of Mythology: Retold.
What is the studio most looking forward to in 2026?
We’ve released a blog to give our players some insight into what’s coming in the first half of 2026 and there’s so much good stuff coming! One thing we’re super excited about is the next installment of the Red Bull Wololo tournament series. This 8th edition is taking us to London, where we’ll have the biggest gathering of Age fans from around the world yet. The Grand Final is taking place at the iconic Royal Albert Hall and we can’t wait to have it as the venue for dramatic gameplay – we even have an orchestra playing tracks from the soundtracks. These events are such a great opportunity for our developers to meet our players in person and hear from them face to face. It’ll be a great celebration of all things Age of Empires!
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Xbox Game Studios
Age of Mythology: Retold
Xbox Game Studios
Avowed
What would you like to say to your players after releasing Avowed this year?
First and foremost, thank you for playing Avowed. It’s been a thrill to watch your playthroughs – seeing the choices you make, the kind of envoy you want to be, and the playstyles you gravitate toward. We love seeing your screenshots, your art, and especially the feedback you share about how we can keep improving. Every post, every comment, and every story helps us learn, grow, and make the world of Avowed even better.
How does it feel to have your game out there after development?
It’s both surreal and deeply rewarding. After years of internal playtesting and iteration, watching players finally experience the game on their own terms with their own characters and choices they’ve made is the best payoff we could ask for. It reminds us why we make RPGs.
Are there any stories about how players have engaged with your game that you’d like to reflect on?
We’ve loved seeing players approach quests and challenges in ways we never predicted. The speedrunning community, in particular, has been a joy – watching them push our systems to achieve unbelievable times has been fascinating. I especially loved seeing runners use Crackling Bolt to launch themselves into the air and skip entire sections. As developers, we always want to fix every issue, but moments like these remind us that games are ultimately about giving players the freedom to engage with them however they want.
What is the studio most looking forward to in 2026?
We’re excited to continue supporting the game and listening to the community. We’ve recently announced that we are moving our next update closer to the game’s anniversary, which will include New Game Plus, Photo Mode, a new Quarterstaff weapon, additional Character Presets, and much more, including some surprises. So stay tuned!
Avowed
Xbox Game Studios
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
What would you like to say to your players after releasing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 this year?
Thank you so much for jumping into Call of Duty: Black Ops 7! The team at Treyarch is so incredibly proud of this game and we’ve been having a blast ourselves out there with you, whether it’s been a friendly revive in Endgame, a new Nemesis in Multiplayer, or riding shotgun in Ol’ Tessie in Zombies.
How does it feel to have your game out there after development?
There’s always a sense of relief once a game launches. With Black Ops 7, that has also come with an incredible amount of excitement knowing that Season 01 is the biggest in Black Ops history, and we have so much more fun content coming throughout the year and into next year!
Are there any stories about how players have engaged with your game that you’d like to reflect on?
We built Black Ops 7 as a fully cooperative and social experience with the goal of offering something for everyone. It’s been truly amazing to see friends and strangers coming together across the entire game. We’ve hopefully provided a platform for people to create some new friends for life or simply reinforce the friendships they already had.
What is your studio most looking forward to in 2026?
More content! More maps, more weapons, more zombies, even a Blackout-inspired mode in Warzone with our friends at Raven. The party doesn’t stop, so hop on board!
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Vault Edition
Activision Publishing Inc.
Candy Crush Solitaire
What would you like to say to your players after releasing Candy Crush Solitaire this year?
Launching Candy Crush Solitaire in February 2025 as the first non-match 3 game within the Candy Crush universe was a major milestone for us at King. We’re so grateful to everyone who embraced this new twist on Candy Crush.
Whether you started playing it out of curiosity or have made it part of your daily routine, your support means the world to our team. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created, and truly appreciative of every single player who’s joined us on this journey so far – thank you! We hope you’ll keep playing, exploring, and sharing your feedback with us as it helps us shape the future of the game.
How does it feel to have your game out there after development?
Launching a game is a muscle, one that strengthens with every project, every challenge and every release. It isn’t something we do all that often at King, so when we do, it’s a big moment. Candy Crush Solitaire challenged us in new ways, taught us new things, and ultimately made us proud. Seeing the team come together and bring the game to life has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey, and having it now in players’ hands is a moment we truly cherish.
It has been equally fantastic to see the game recognised by the industry with awards and praises, most recently, in November, receiving the Google Play ‘Best Pick Up and Play’ award 2025.
Are there any stories about how players have engaged with your game that you’d like to reflect on?
One moment that really stands out is our recent partnership with Care Bears, which brought a whole new layer of warmth and nostalgia into Candy Crush Solitaire. For a limited-time, we transformed the game into a vibrant celebration of love, kindness, and color.
The collaboration came to life in-game through Care Bears–themed card decks, colorful makeovers, and a brand-new Care-o-Meter event, where acts of kindness unlocked rewards. Players also had the chance to meet Cheer Bear, Bedtime Bear, and the whole gang, collecting exclusive cards in the Care Bears Album to keep as a memento once completed. What’s been particularly rewarding is seeing just how joyfully players engaged with all these features.
Bringing such a beloved, iconic brand into the game reminded us why we love making games in the first place: moments where players feel surprised, delighted, and connected.
What is the studio most looking forward to in 2026?
As we look ahead to 2026, the team is most excited about continuing to learn, evolve, and build on everything we’ve accomplished so far for Candy Crush Solitaire. We have plenty of new ideas, fresh features, and creative opportunities we’re exploring, from the excitement of Solitaire Grand Cup to new seasonal collections. We are excited to make the game even more engaging and delightful for our players.
Diablo IV
What would you like to say to players after the updates to Diablo IV this year?
This has been a transformative year for Diablo IV and speaking on behalf of the entire team I want to say thank you to every player who has journeyed with us. Your passion, feedback and love of slaying demons pushed us to deliver some of our most ambitious updates yet, from class reworks to quality-of-life improvements and new collaborations. We know Diablo is at its best when it feels alive, evolving, and shaped by the community that plays it, and your trust has meant everything to us. I also want to thank the incredible producers, artists, writers, engineers, QA and everyone across Blizzard who pour their talent into this franchise every day.
Are there any stories you heard or saw about Diablo IV players this year that you’d like to reflect on?
One story that really moved us came from a son sharing that his 73-year-old father, who’s spent thousands of hours in Diablo IV, was suddenly facing a serious medical battle. The community rallied around him with messages of support, and we were able to send a care package during his recovery. It was a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, this community carries its own light. Diablo isn’t just a game people play; it’s a world they share, and strengthen, together.
What is the team most looking forward to in 2026?
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years in Diablo’s history. We’re gearing up for the launch of our next expansion, Lord of Hatred, the final fight with Mephisto that will challenge players in new ways and reveal a part of Sanctuary they’ve never seen before. It also marks the 30th Anniversary of Diablo, a milestone that means so much to everyone at Blizzard. We’re planning to celebrate this legacy all year long with our players across the world, including BlizzCon where we’ll gather with players and look toward the next era of Diablo. Most of all, we’re looking forward to forging new adventures, legendary gear and unforgettable moments alongside Diablo players. A vast road lies ahead, and we can’t wait to walk it with you!
Diablo® IV
Blizzard Entertainment
Diablo Immortal
What would you like to say to players after the updates to Diablo Immortal this year?
This year’s updates to Diablo Immortal were shaped by your passion, your feedback, and the incredible energy you bring to Sanctuary every day. We’re deeply grateful for the dedication and creativity of this community, from the players who theorycraft every patch to those who simply enjoy adventuring with friends. Each update is a reflection of your commitment to the world of Immortal, and we’re honored to be building it alongside you. Thank you for being such an essential part of this journey.
Are there any stories you heard or saw about Diablo Immortal players this year that you’d like to reflect on?
This year, we were inspired by how Diablo Immortal continues to bring players together. From long-time friends who meet in Sanctuary each week to the players creating guides, challenge runs, and community events, the passion and creativity of the community really stood out. Seeing players connect, support one another, and shape the experience in their own ways has been one of the team’s favorite parts of the year.
What is the team most looking forward t