The Rise Of The West Indies
…And The Much Hyped Collapse Of The Triple A Gaming Industry
Daring to saunter in the internet comment section of any gaming affiliated content and one would be met with the reprise of the demise of Triple A gaming publishers. “Activision has fallen,” “Ubisoft down,” “Triple A is dead,” declare many. As big budget developers flounder, independent studios seem to be on the rise. Sailing over the monstrous wave of budgetary hurdles they seem to be surfing on the very cusp of greatness. Of course, as with any industry and any business many wipeout on their way to greatness. Some never even leave the beach. Nevertheless, as big budget titles fail en masse many a gamer is taking to the internet to proudly plant their flags on the shores of smaller independent developers. Mounting a rebellion against large corporations many are choosing to invest their hard earned dollars on these ones who went rogue. However, all may not be as it seems. As both independent and corporate studios are battling for control over the same subjects, fealty will be won by whoever offers the most. While triple A publishers can launch a salvo of their resources at the titles they are producing, smaller independents have to use their wit and ingenuity to bring unique products to life. However, the rules of economics still apply. In order to be profitable costs have to be lower than income received thus generating profits. The products have to be desirable in order to have a share in the market. Money does indeed talk and often issues diktats on what direction and freedoms video game developers have. In addition, culture isn’t confined to budgetary restrictions. Companies with great culture can succeed. Those without suffer in the long run even if juggernauts of industry.
Mounting a rebellion against large corporations many are choosing to invest their hard earned dollars on these ones who went rogue.
As Microsoft has gobbled up many a gaming studio, their voracity hasn’t birthed much in terms of greatness. Halo Studios is an empty shell producing lacklustre products. Bethesda is vomiting out incomplete products while once great independent studios consumed by the titan have gorged themselves on resources yet lack the discipline to stay in shape. Cured anaemics turned diabetic. On the other hand, Sony studios seem to be doing well. Ghosts of Yotei may not be as critically or commercially successful as its predecessor but it was nonetheless competently made and has been met with a warm reception. In all likelihood already recouping its budget and making a healthy profit with 2.5 million copies sold since launch. In this case budgets were kept within reason and the product was ready on launch. The same cannot be said of its contemporary from Ubisoft which sold slightly less copies on PlayStation 5 but cost a lot more. The magic of triple A games is that because of their budgets, if spent wisely, they are able to push the limits of what the developers are able to create. Adding value to the gaming industry as a whole and value to video games as a form of art. Something smaller budget titles can struggle to do. However, it is worth pointing out that necessity is the mother of invention and often where there is a will there is a way. Smaller studios have at times punched way above their weight producing technology that rivals that of their larger counterparts.
…once great independent studios consumed by the titan have gorged themselves on resources yet lack the discipline to stay in shape.
During my brief soiree gaming on the Steam Deck OLED over the past few weeks, while I have been exposed to many smaller independent titles, I have been spending most of my time catching up on or replaying older Triple A titles I missed on launch. Within minutes many of these titles have you hooked and hours later one emerges from the fires of battle charred, smoke infused yet happy. The same can’t be said of some independent titles competing in the same genres. Often I find I’m frustrated with the initial hours of gameplay which can at times fail with the onboarding of new players. A lot is asked from the player necessitating much patience. While independent publishers and developers are indeed encroaching more and more on what was the Triple A gaming space, there will always be a huge segment of the market hungry for these blockbuster titles. After all, it is casual gamers who pay for the industry. Not many will have patience for the minor niggles and idiosyncrasies of smaller budget titles. It is worth noting that much like the film industry, the gaming industry does need both. Ultimately where one fails the other fills the gap and vice versa with the gamers having the most to benefit.
Video companion piece here.
Image credits in order of appearance: Image by Augusto Ordóñez from Pixabay; Image by Prawny from Pixabay