The AAA game model is regularly called into question: endless development times, skyrocketing budgets, sometimes limited profitability…
During an interview with Game Developer, Meghan Morgan Juinio spoke on this topic. During her career, she spent 10 years at Santa Monica Studio and was notably the producer on God of War Ragnarök. During the interview, she encouraged studios to explore other avenues by investing in lower-budget projects.
“I also think there’s an opportunity for these big players to diversify into the double-A and single-A sectors, and maybe even the indie sector.
I think gamers today are a little desensitized to beautiful graphics, size, scale, and scope [of AAA games]. It’s almost a given. If a game isn’t fun, it doesn’t matter how beautiful it is. If it’s not captivating or doesn’t offer a certain hook, it won’t spark players’ interest.”
Juinio mentions Astro Bot and Split Fiction as examples of titles from major publishers (Sony and EA) that focus on creativity rather than visuals, which doesn’t mean these two games aren’t graphically impressive.
It’s great to see a discussion about the need for diversity in gaming! Exploring new ideas and approaches could really benefit the industry and lead to some exciting experiences for players. Change is often necessary for growth, especially in such a competitive landscape.
Absolutely, it’s crucial for the industry to innovate and not just rely on established formulas. Diversifying game genres could also attract a wider audience, bringing fresh perspectives and experiences to players. This could ultimately lead to more creative storytelling and gameplay mechanics in the long run!
I completely agree! Diversifying game offerings could lead to more unique storytelling and gameplay experiences. It would be exciting to see how different genres could evolve with fresh ideas, especially in the AAA space.
Absolutely! Diverse game offerings not only enhance storytelling but can also attract a wider audience. It might encourage studios to experiment with different genres and art styles, enriching the gaming landscape even further.