WHEN GREAT STUDIOS STUMBLE 

Earlier this year, French Video game developer Don’t Nod published a video game based on new intellectual property entitled ‘Aphelion.’ Developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency, the title launched to lacklustre reviews and a particularly chilly reception from the gaming public. In the lead up to launch, it seemed as if the developers were giving the title a half hearted putsch to get it across the finish line. There was no real marketing behind the title. The most remarkable thing about the game was the score composed by Amine Bouhafa. A masterful orchestral piece that bequeathed some of its greatness to the title but sadly was not enough bear the weight of the mediocre product. This was a cataclysmic failure which has left Don’t Nod in financial jeopardy. In spite of its rich pedigree, the greatness of past titles didn’t rub off on this launch. In fact, it feels as if this game was made by an entirely different studio and merely to fulfil contractual obligations. A crying shame as Don’t Nod’s past outings have provided much needed narrative variety to the ever growing banquet of similitude littering the video game landscape. Mere months from launch the title has faded into obscurity.

Don’t Nod’s past outings have provided much needed narrative variety to the ever growing banquet of similitude littering the video game landscape.

In the last week of August this year, heading into a rather jam packed September game launch season, French video game developer Asobo Studio released their follow up to the warmly received, critically and financially successful ‘Plague Tale Requiem.’ While the title has received much acclaim, it would seem that gamers have not been as receptive. The title is a departure from what made the prior two titles in the series unique. While it starts out strongly with the developer showcasing their prowess with their in-house engine, it soon becomes a pastiche of other action adventure titles such as ‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ and the ‘Tomb Raider’ Reboot trilogy. Much to its detriment. The studio simply cannot compete with what those titles have on offer. With its unique premise gone, all that is left is its narrative, familiar gameplay borrowed from other titles, great visuals and music but not much else. In a much more forgiving gaming landscape, this would suffice. Sadly, not so for the discerning masses. ‘Mortal Shell II,’ a soulslike pretender to the throne developed by Cold Symmetry and published by Playstack launched days prior and at a lower price point. While courting a very different audience its approachability may have eaten into some of Asobo’s market share. It is worth noting, while Asobo’s offering is priced slightly lower than premium triple A titles, it is launching mere weeks before Insomniac’s Marvel’s The Wolverine which carries a premium price tag and will in all likelihood compete not only for the same market share but gamers’ time.

…a high quality product that seems strapped down to never pierce the stratospheric heights achieved by its contemporaries.

In September last year, Rogue Factor’s ‘Hell Is Us’ was launched to much critical acclaim but a rather lukewarm gaming audience reception. It was a very unique title with very strong horror elements but just so happened to be sandwiched between the launches of Techland’s ‘Dying Light: The Beast,’ the much awaited successor to 2015’s ‘Dying Light’ and Bloober Team’s ‘Cronos The New Dawn.’ Techland already had the market share cornered and Bloober Team’s success with the ‘Silent Hill 2’ remake had bolstered their market position in the eyes of many gamers. Rogue Factor was saddled with an impossible burden: Share the market with two Stalwarts in the segment or at least have their launch title differentiate itself enough to carve out a subsection of an already saturated market. Sadly, it is doubtful that the title recouped its budget or at least was deemed a success by its makers. It will be launching on the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year perhaps in an attempt to broaden its appeal or seek out a new market. ‘Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy’ seems to be sharing a similar fate to ‘Hell Is Us.’ Launching on a critical high and objectively a high quality product that seems strapped down to never pierce the stratospheric heights achieved by its contemporaries. 

Of the three developers, Asobo’s future seems most secure. Don’t Nod self published and with the failure of Aphelion there isn’t much hope in the pipeline. In addition, ‘Aphelion’ was objectively a mediocre product. Rogue factor may need to find a new publisher or at least financial backers as Nacon, their publisher, has been in dire straits financially with a string of loses tied to failed launches. Perhaps the Nintendo Switch 2 launch of the video game will guarantee them a lifeline heading into the future but this remains to be seen.

Video companion piece here.

Image credits in order of appearance: Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay; Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay