December 4th 2024.
Shawn Layden, the former president of PlayStation from 2014 to 2019, recently shared his thoughts on the future of consoles and big budget games in a new interview. He addressed concerns about rising development costs and stagnating console sales, which have become a major topic in the gaming industry.
Layden pointed out that unlike Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have largely relied on technical advancements to sell each generation of consoles. However, as those advancements have become smaller, there is a question of what the next Xbox and PlayStation can offer to appeal to the average consumer. This is something Layden believes they need to start considering and questioning the purpose of a proprietary console in the long-term.
He also expressed doubt that there will be another significant leap in power for consoles in the future. Layden believes we are reaching a plateau in terms of innovation and that both Xbox and PlayStation are using similar hardware from AMD, with their own proprietary software. He also reiterated his previous comments about the rising costs of game development and the need for AAA games to be shorter.
Layden compared the current state of the gaming industry to the end of the 18th century, where building cathedrals became too expensive and unsustainable. He believes that AAA gaming has become a similar "cathedral business" that has grown too far and needs to be scaled back.
He emphasized the importance of creating compelling gameplay that keeps players engaged for 18 to 23 hours, rather than focusing on the scale and scope of the game. Layden wants more moments like the iconic scene in Resident Evil where the dogs jump through the window, causing players to drop their controllers in fear.
Layden's insights have been well-received, as he has been vocal about the need for more diverse AAA experiences beyond the popular titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite. He has also expressed concern about the decline of AA games and the impact it could have on the gaming ecosystem.
Looking towards the future of PlayStation, there have been rumors of a PlayStation 6 using AMD's next-gen architecture and the possibility of a new Sony handheld. As always, you can stay updated with all the latest gaming news by following us on Twitter, signing up for our newsletter, and leaving a comment below. And for an easier way to submit letters and features without sending an email, check out our Submit Stuff page.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
