At this point, it's hard to distinguish an area between AAA games and indie games, with the once-well-respected AA category fizzling into obscurity. Given recent trends, AAA games are not only working on monstrous budgets but appear to take fewer risks than before.
The lack of AA titles and AAA issues became a point of discussion at Gamescom Asia. Gamesindustry.biz reported on a discussion between Shawn Layden, a former Sony Interactive Chairman, and Gordon Van Dyke of Raw Fury. The former Sony exec described exactly why the failure of AAA games and the lack of AA games is ruining the industry.
In an ecosystem filled with subscription plans and live services, this conversation is a leading example of how large studios chasing down the white whale has only led to disaster; the search for revenue and profits is undercutting larger goals to pollinate a better ecosystem for gamers.
Former Chairman Shawn Layden first discussed the gaming industry's current cost and risk analysis. He explained that “the entry costs for making a AAA game are in triple-digit millions now. I think naturally, risk tolerance drops.”
It’s natural that when something becomes more expensive, the less risk you’re willing...
