A reader doubts the present leadership in the video game sector and fears that gamer needs are not being prioritized by publishers.
The gaming sector finds itself in an unusual position right now. On one side, we’re seeing incredible game releases, including stuff like
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
,
Blue Prince
, and
Monster Hunter Wilds
On one side, we have publishers behaving monstrously, slashing hundreds of jobs simultaneously while raking in billions in profit. To make matters worse, they’re making such absurd business choices that even casual gamers like myself are utterly perplexed.
It’s not merely the fixation on continuous service titles (which
Sony
proved this week
they still can’t shake
but the complete reluctance to address the increasing expenses associated with developing games, resorting solely to raising prices. Even when
Nintendo
Sees that as the sole solution, knows they aren’t making an effort to tackle the issues, and that realization sparked my contemplation.
To me, it appears that individuals at the top of the gaming sector have absolutely no interest in serving as guardians—or caretakers—of video game culture. There’s not a single person focused on ensuring its sustained well-being. No one seems concerned about job losses among employees or the financial struggles faced by development studios. Moreover, artistic aspects clearly do not matter to them either.
You may consider me naive for entertaining such thoughts, but every time an unfortunate event occurs in the gaming world, I recall that distressing image of Phil Spencer (Xbox’s leader) alongside the then-head of Blizzard.
standing in front of hundreds of Blizzard employees
, many of whom were let go just a few days afterward.
Both of them surely realized this back then, yet they’re beaming broadly as though they were at a rock show, basking in the admiration from their ‘followers’.
No one leading a game publisher does so without personal gain in mind. They aren’t concerned with the company’s well-being; they only care about their wealth, incentives, and future payouts. Think back to when the CEO of Microsoft was
Game Pass targets
taken off his list of tasks for getting a bonus? These individuals only care about lining their own pockets.
One might say they’re just human. To be honest, I doubt I’d handle a $10 million annual income much differently. Recently though, I came across a video by Alanah Pearce, formerly of Sony Santa Monica, discussing recent developments. It’s quite intriguing and lasts only 20 minutes, so I recommend giving it a view.
Much of this resonated with me due to previous statements made by GC regarding how publishers often prioritize investor satisfaction over catering to gamer preferences. These companies undoubtedly generate revenue primarily from game sales; however, these earnings take some time to accumulate. As far as I comprehend, the majority of their immediate financial inflow originates from investments and funding provided by venture capitalists.
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