“Elden Ring: Nightreign,” “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered” and “Mario Kart World” topped Stream Charts newly released list of the most-streamed new games between April 1-June 30.
While certainly not an exact science, the rankings, which are based on Stream Charts’ collected data on hours viewed of live-streamers playing the games in their first week of release, indicate the new titles with the strongest impact on the industry during the past few months.
See the Top 10 chart based on hours watched during first week of release, provided by Stream Charts, below.
Popular on Variety
“Q2 2025 proved to be a dynamic quarter for game releases, showcasing a clear dichotomy in livestreaming success,” Stream Charts product manager Nazar Babenko said. “While established franchise titans like Elden Ring: Nightreign and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered leveraged their brand power and strategic updates (such as roguelike elements and Unreal Engine 5 remasters) to dominate viewership, the quarter also highlighted the significant impact of innovative newcomers. Blue Prince and Rematch carved out substantial niches, demonstrating that unique gameplay, critical acclaim, and targeted streamer engagement can drive considerable initial interest, even against industry giants.
Babenko continued: “Beyond the top contenders, we can notice the growing importance of localized appeal and strategic viewer incentives. The strong regional performance of Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond in Japan and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in France underscores how cultural resonance and ‘homegrown’ support can significantly boost initial stats. Furthermore, the effective use of Twitch Drops by games like Dune: Awakening and DOOM: The Dark Ages illustrates a sophisticated understanding of audience engagement, transforming passive viewers into active participants and solidifying Q2 2025 as a period defined by both blockbuster appeal and nuanced, community-driven success.”
See more gaming news from this week in the roundup below.
LEGAL
As reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, the now-ousted top executives at “Subnautica 2” developer Unknown Worlds have filed a lawsuit accusing South Korea-based parent company Krafton of terminating them after the trio revealed revenue projections that would have required the gaming publisher to pay the creators a $250 million bonus with the release of “Subnautica 2.”
According to the lawsuit, Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill and founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire say Krafton offered them a lower payout sum before ultimately firing them and then delaying the release of “Subnautica 2.” In a statement Wednesday, Krafton expressed it was “disappointed” in the lawsuit seeking a “huge payout” and the company plans to defend itself against the claims in court.
NEW RELEASES
Nintendo’s highly anticipated new Switch 2 title, “Donkey Kong Bananza” launched Thursday. The 3D platforming action-adventure game follows Donkey Kong and a talented young singer named Pauline, “featuring (literal) ground-breaking gameplay, a host of powerful transformations, and plenty of ways to cut loose and unleash your inner Kong.” Per Nintendo, “Join the pair as they delve deep underground – and discover that this subterranean world is a lot more than it seems on the surface. Uncover environments such as arid canyons, lush forests and frigid tundra as you peel back the world’s Layers on your way to the Planet Core.”
VENTURES
GamesBeat launched new B2B media product GB MAX. According to the newly independent gaming news outlet, “GB MAX platform and subscription will provide a robust B2B network that will open the door for today’s business leaders to discuss, collaborate, and drive the future of gaming. This is a critical resource for leaders in any sector, from Hollywood and finance to AI and enterprise technology, to better understand and collaborate with the games industry’s technology innovation, digital media, and consumer reach.”
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Twitch co-founder Justin Kan’s DTC gaming revenue platform Stash set a a strategic partnership with finance tech platform Adyen to launch a new “payment stack designed for the scale, performance, and reliability that mobile game developers require.” Per the companies, “the launch comes as a growing number of studios and publishers double down on direct-to-consumer (D2C) strategies, building direct relationships with their players.”
EVENTS
“The Sims 4” has teamed with T-Pain and gaming content creator itsmetroi for a livestream event tied to its new “Enchanted by Nature” expansion pack. Title, “He Was a Fairy in The Sims,” the livestream is set for Thursday at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST via Twitch and YouTube.
Per “The Sims 4” publisher Electronic Arts (EA), “During the livestream we’ll explore the brand new world of Innisgreen and all that nature has to offer in the The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack. T-Pain will also show off his Fairy Sim–which will be available to players in The Sims 4 Gallery immediately following the livestream–but that’s not the only surprise he has in store!”
