this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2023
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Leaked email reveals Phil Spencer's damning verdict on AAA games: 'Most publishers are riding the success of franchises created 10+ years ago' (www.pcgamer.com)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[โ€“] [email protected] 28 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's just easier to advertise a single big game rather than several smaller ones. Even if you are interested in games it's impossible to keep track of everything that's being released. More casual players are aware of even fewer games. That's why AAA games still sell so well because they are the only games a lot of people are even aware of.

If the companies have to split their marketing budget between multiple titles, they would reach a much smaller audience. And even if one of the smaller titles would be a hit, it probably sells fewer copies for a lower price.

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Ding ding ding.

Half the cost of the game is marketing. And marketing is an effort that builds upon itself

The more smaller games you have, the more you have to market to niches from scratch. And niches are generally more inclined to be informed users. And it takes a developer with vision to make a satisfying niche hit. Well it always takes vision but...

Meanwhile one big bombastic game will get a bunch of mainstream folks hyped over qualifiers of scope instead of quality. Yes, I am saying hype culture is primarily an idiot's hobby, but idiots still got cash.

Plus, plus, most studios don't really see their junior devs as something worth fostering. Better off burning them out and replacing them.

It's basically money well spent for them.