February 29th 2024.
Hey there Geoff,
Thank you for bringing up these issues that have been plaguing the gaming industry for quite some time now. It's a complex situation that has been building up for years, with multiple factors contributing to its current state.
One of the main issues is the constant push for more advanced hardware and visuals by developers and console manufacturers. This has resulted in increased costs for both the developers and the players. With talk of new consoles like the PS5 Pro and even the PlayStation 6, it's no wonder that there are concerns about the rising cost of games. It's a vicious cycle that only adds to the already high costs of game development.
Another problem is the industry's tendency to rely on flashier visuals instead of focusing on creating better game experiences. This is often seen as a quick fix when sales start to drop or when developers run out of ideas. But in reality, it's not a sustainable solution and only adds to the growing costs and pressures in the industry.
It's not just the developers and publishers who are affected by these issues, but also the gamers themselves. With the rising costs and lack of job stability in the industry, it's understandable that some may be discouraged from pursuing a career in gaming. It's a sad reality that even veterans in the industry are struggling with the uncertainty and constant pressure to deliver.
The recent layoffs and project cancellations have only highlighted the underlying issues in the industry. It's clear that something needs to change in order to create a more sustainable and stable environment for all those involved in the gaming industry.
In terms of game replayability, there are some titles that never seem to get old no matter how many times you play them. One example is XCOM 2 with the War of the Chosen DLC. The base game was already fantastic, but the DLC added even more depth and enjoyment to the experience. And while some may judge playing on rookie level, it's important to remember that everyone has their own preferences and play style. What matters most is having fun and enjoying the game.
Overall, there are many issues that need to be addressed in the gaming industry. From the rising costs of game development to the lack of job stability and the oversaturated market, it's clear that something needs to change in order to create a better future for all those involved. Thank you for bringing attention to these issues and sparking important discussions.
Have you heard the news? Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is finally here! As excited as we may be, it's hard to ignore the fact that the constant push for bigger and better graphics has resulted in the release of new consoles, with talk already circulating about a potential PS5 Pro and even a PlayStation 6 in the works. But let's be real, with the added costs of upgrading to take advantage of these new consoles, it's no surprise that game prices may reach an astronomical £80-90 per game by the time the PlayStation 6 hits the market.
It's a vicious cycle, really. When developers run out of ideas and game sales start to drop, the solution has always been to release new hardware with flashy visuals instead of focusing on improving the overall game experience. And while we may point fingers at the companies for this, let's not forget that the gamers themselves also play a role in this. After all, if the next installment of Tekken looked no better than the previous one, how would the majority of players react?
As someone who has been a part of the gaming world for over 40 years, I can't help but sympathize with The Last Of Us director who expressed his desire to leave the industry. Despite his success, the current state of the gaming industry is far from ideal, with layoffs and pressure from companies to create live service games. But when you think about it, how many games can one developer realistically create in a working career of 40 years, given the time it takes to develop a game now? Maybe six or seven, if we're lucky and nothing gets cancelled. And with the next generation of consoles taking even longer to develop games for, we may soon be looking at a seven-year gap between each release.
But it's not just the veterans who are affected by this. What about the younger generation who dream of becoming game developers? With all the recent headlines about layoffs and job instability in the industry, it's hard to imagine anyone wanting to enter this field. It's a sad reality that the once-reliable job of a game developer has become one of the most uncertain and unpredictable careers out there, and my heart goes out to all those who have lost their jobs in the name of appeasing investors.
And speaking of investors, let's not forget that at the end of the day, it's all just business. The sudden surge of layoffs and cancellations may seem confusing and frustrating, but it's all just a show of power from the executives who want to prove they can make the tough decisions. And thanks to the lenient labour laws in the US, they can easily get rid of employees without a second thought. But mark my words, they'll probably end up rehiring some of these people once their little demonstration has boosted their share prices. If I were them, I wouldn't go back to a company that didn't value me in the first place and instead find a job where my skills are truly appreciated.
Now, let's shift gears and talk about something more positive. Have you ever played a game that you just can't seem to get enough of? For me, that game is XCOM 2 with the War Of The Chosen DLC. I've lost count of how many times I've played through it, and I can guarantee you, it won't be the last. Sure, I may play on rookie level, but that doesn't mean it's a walk in the park. I still make mistakes, I save often, and my ultimate goal is to complete a campaign with all my soldiers alive and well (or at least not in the morgue). But let's give a round of applause to those brave souls who tackle the game on harder difficulties, especially on Iron man mode.
Now, let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. It's no secret that the gaming industry has been facing some major challenges lately. From cancelled projects to massive layoffs, it's clear that the market is oversaturated and struggling to sustain its growth. And while some may argue that it was hard to predict, as a long-time player, it's not a surprise to me. With the rising cost of living post-Covid, too many games that fail to impress, and the dominance of live service games that eat up a significant amount of our time, it's no wonder that the industry is facing a downturn.
But that's not all. The cost of developing a good game has skyrocketed to a minimum of $100 million, while the new generation consoles don't offer significant improvements in terms of gameplay compared to the previous ones. And let's not forget about the thriving pre-owned market, which provides gamers with cheaper alternatives to buying brand new games. It's a challenging time for the gaming industry, and I hope that we can find a way to overcome these obstacles and continue to enjoy the games we love.
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