Games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 are rare gems in the current gaming industry landscape. Very few studios can compare to what Larian Studios has managed to achieve. Indeed, it was considered to have set an unfair standard for other AAA games due to the sheer quality of the content and its quantity as well.
Given its success, when the developers behind such games speak out about the industry in general, the points they bring up are usually riddled with nuanced insights. We have none other than the Publishing Director of Larian Studios, offering his take on what is currently wrong with the gaming industry and how things can improve!
Baldur’s Gate 3 Publishing Director Blames Gaming Industry Crisis on Generalization
Any form of media succeeds when it appeals to its audience. Regardless of whether that audience pool is large or small, the effort put into touching on the nuances of that audience’s preferences is what cements its popularity. The same principle applies to games, a sentiment that is shared by Michael Douse.
It is increasingly apparent that games unbothered by pleasing anyone other than their audience are outpacing massive productions. Massive productions can also do very well, but their inherent financial risk takes them further away from an audience.
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) May 9, 2024
In a recent thread on X, the Director of Publishing, Michael Douse, at Larian Studios offered his take on why the gaming industry is in a dire position.
You can’t rely on a traditionally hyper-engaged audience to passively consume shiny content designed for everyone (nobody). So much of this industry is in trouble because of rotten fundamentals bloated by time.
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) May 9, 2024
The issue is that teams are trying to make games that appeal to everybody, which results in them appealing to nobody. They become generic titles that follow a set formula without taking risks or trying to stand out.
He calls the idea of AAA gaming an “economic fallacy” that will end in long-term disasters. He states that creators should not rely on a “traditionally hyper-engaged” audience to consume generic content. Calling the foundations of the industry “rotten” and “bloated by time,” he goes on to offer a practical solution many developers should take to heart.
The only solution to an oversaturated market imho is to get deeper into niches. Don’t go broader with fewer games & in-game currencies, get specific, targeted. Serve what we know are viable audiences. Literally: give the people what they want.
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) May 9, 2024
His solution is to make self-publishing easier, similar to Steam’s implementation.
Here’s where I get unpopular: Steam has a monopoly cus it’s good. It also has a lot of discoverability problems cus it’s good. But it’s good. Much better than the economic relics elsewhere. Need the Steam model on consoles. Let developers cook & communicate.
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) May 9, 2024
The goal should be to get deeper into audience niches by being “targeted.” He goes on to say the industry is currently at a very small percentage of what digital distribution can manage. The thread ends with his “unpopular opinion” of Steam being a monopoly “cus it’s good” and how we “need the Steam model on consoles.”
The Gaming Industry Needs a Serious Revamp
Almost every big developer is facing some sort of issue right now. Xbox recently announced the shutting down of several subsidiary studios, citing reallocation of resources. However, some speculate this is a way to protect profits as their Xbox Game Pass service is not performing as well as they hoped.
Allowing creators to more easily publish their games on systems can greatly improve not only the quantity of games but also their variety. Adding roadblocks to the process will only further fuel the need to create generic titles that companies hope will have mass appeal but feel shallow and unpolished.
This is a systemic issue that companies have to deal with at the ground level. Only by changing their approach to releasing titles on their systems and improving the discoverability of these new titles can the gaming industry progress as a whole.
What do you think of Douse’s suggestions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
