As we wrap up an incredibly eventful year and usher in the holiday season, we here at Team Liquid are all ready for a break — as we’re sure you all are, too. And though TL is all about games, it can sometimes be a little tricky to actually find the time to play games.

That’s why we polled some TL staff and talent to find out what they’re currently playing, and what they’re looking to clear off their “to-play” list going into the holidays. A lot of the usual suspects were present — it shouldn’t be a surprise to find answers like Counter-Strike and League of Legends among the staff of an esports org — though new single-player releases were popular as well. 

Check out what TL staff is playing to round out 2025 below. Maybe you’ll even find a new game to pick up yourself!

“I like games that connect people but can also be enjoyed alone, like TFT.” – Jessica, Creative Coordinator

“TFT will definitely be the main game I play because the new set comes out soon. It is a big moment for the game so I am excited to see how the new set will play.” – Sam, Sr. Events Manager

“I think Arc Raiders hits that spot really well for me as a combination of a shooter with RPG elements. And much easier to get into than Escape from Tarkov.” – Ramon, Digital Editor EU

“I really like [XOCIETY] — the graphics and the movement are very nice. I’m excited to see where the technology goes.” – Harmii, TL Talent

“I will probably lock in and actually try to beat Silksong, and probably go back to 100% Expedition 33.” – Matt, Associate Creative Director

“Stalker 2 has the right mood and setting. It’s a fresh take compared to the western shooters. Now finally with the latest patch, the game is getting really good with world exploration and great survival.” – Michiel, Community Director

“Usually [I look for] either a social component like playing with my friends, or it's narrative or strategic. I like games like city builders and 4X strategies where I can develop complex systems or games that have interesting stories to tell. Roguelikes aren't normally my thing, but Hades hooked me pretty good — and the little social narratives do help.” – Austin, Managing Editor

“I really enjoy roguelikes because it allows me to be a bit of a careless, boundary-testing gamer just to see what could happen.” – Tiff, Associate Creative Director

“I like open worlds where I can develop my character in any way I want and still get cool perks and skins.” – Yana, Social Director

“I feel like I need two sorts of games most of the time — one is competitive/difficult to scratch the "gamer itch" and feel a sense of improvement over time, and the other is something that just helps me fully disconnect. That can either be through a compelling story or an expansive world to explore.” – Matt, Associate Creative Director

“I like games that I can play against other people. The pvp aspect of games is what makes them exciting for me.” – Sam, Sr. Events Manager

“I like games that demand an in person element at the moment. Call me an extrovert but I need to be in the same room as folks.” – Josie, SVP Brand Marketing Content

“I tend to look for games with strong replayability factor. Games like BALL x PIT, Megabonk and Enter the Gungeon tend to do it the best!” – Tanner, Talent Sales Manager

“I like games with great visuals and that are easy to resume. The completionist in me also loves completing any achievements or weekly or daily quests.” – Olivia, Event Manager

“I look for story and a satisfying and challenging gameplay loop. Worldbuilding is also very important.” – Heloísa, Creative Designer

“I usually gravitate toward games that pull me in with great visuals and a strong, engaging story that still feels fresh. With that in mind, I’ll be diving into Kingdom Hearts 2 over the holidays for the 10th time, but who’s counting!” – Ruben, Account Manager

“Some games just have the "it" factor that sucks you in for hours and hours. Obviously I love story-driven (or story-rich) games and they've been a huge influence on me growing up with the likes of SC:BW, Warcraft 1/2/3, GTA 3/Vice City/San Andreas. Now, you might say, "wait a minute, those aren't story-driven games!" And you might be right, but I played them for the story and not really for the gameplay. In recent years I've been a massive fan of the Horizon series (Zero Dawn and Forbidden West) and have accumulated nearly 600 hours in the two games across several playthroughs.” – Nikola, MyBlue/TL.com quests and events

That’s a wrap for the TL staff picks this year! Looking over the list, it’s clear that we love narrative and social gameplay here — and that makes a lot of sense given that for a lot of us, our job is basically to capture narratives around competitive gaming. 

If you’re looking for a fun new shooter to play with friends this year, we recommend XOCIETY. We’ll admit we’re biased because it’s a game built on tech developed by our partners at Sui, but we think it’s a cool new take on the extraction shooter genre. Plus, you can play for free on the Epic Games store. 

Whatever you choose to play, happy holidays from Team Liquid!