Support NeoGAF

[jcorb]

I don’t want to be negative nancy, but it honestly just feels like the entire Gaming landscape is falling apart. There’s virtually no gaming journalism left, the only news outlets covering games appear to be inundated with ads, AI generated articles, or both, and individual games are so expensive and “safe” that it leaves almost no room for anything unique.

And I’m sorry, but I just don’t think indie studios are prepared to take up the mantle of making “professional-quality games”. I would love to believe there is space for “AA studios”, but nobody seems to really be competing in that space. Things either have astronomical budgets, or shoestring budgets, with nothing really in between.

It just sort of feels like games are just becoming these throwaway products that aren’t even designed to entertain. There are almost no outlets willing or even able to call out major publishers or developers for shady business practices, and it’s effectively choking out a lot of the sense of gaming community that formed since the dawning of the internet at a part of our daily lives.

Just seems like we’re in a super depressing state of the industry, and I really don’t feel like we’re going to see a lot of “labors of love” over the next few years. Hell, even games that do well are seeing their devs dismantled.

Just seems like the industry is in a bit of a hopeless state.

 

[Danjin44]

I'm enjoying lot of games I'm playing so I would say no.....But then again 99% games I play are Japanese games.

 

[angrod14]

I think the death of presentations is giving you that feeling. If you look at sales things are quite healthy (except on the Xbox side). Both Sony and Nintendo are selling super well. GTA VI will launch next year and will revitalize everything. PlayStation has yet to play their biggest card (Naughty Dog). Switch 2 is coming too.

 

[March Climber]

These types of threads always make me play a guessing game to find out which twitch streamer OP watches, or which bad game OP recently played.

 

[MayauMiao]

Gaming industry is still doing well but perhaps to you its all doom and gloom due to the changing model of how we consume gaming.

In fact, I see myself buying a lot more games than ever before compared to the days of physical media thanks to those huge discounts on platform like Steam.

 

[Loomy]

This industry has gone through a whole bunch of paradigm shifts since the 80s. This is just another one. Only difference is that its a bigger beast that its ever been, so you feel the changes a lot more. We're also a lot more connected than we used to be so we're getting everything all at once all the time.

Studios closure happened before. We just didn't hear about it in real time, plus tweets from laid off employee, plus tweets from bloggers, plus doom articles from bloggers, plus tweets from gamers. You're getting everything.

But that's also on you. It's easier than ever to disconnect and just play games without worrying about all the baggage around games.

 

[EDMIX]

I'm enjoying lot of games I'm playing so I would say no.....But then again 99% games I play are Japanese games.

True, but I play a strong mixture of both and would still say no lol

The industry is fine.

 

[Danjin44]

I would love to believe there is space for “AA studios”, but nobody seems to really be competing in that space.

These are just three examples, we are getting tones of AA games but most people here ignore it.

 

[Loomy]

The industry is fine.

This. Doom and gloom designed to keep people outraged sells those ads OP is complaining about. There's a lot of very good games out there.

 

[sigmaZ]

If anything, it feels like parts of it have been on a rebound the past year or two. I've beat and enjoyed more games in the last two years than in quite a while.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

It's been an incredible time for the video game industry since 2017, only slowing down later last year and this year. OP, what platform do you play on? I have a feeling that has a lot to do with it.

 

[Loomy]

It's been an incredible time for the video game industry since 2017, only slowing down later last year and this year. OP, what platform do you play on? I have a feeling that has a lot to do with it.

Yup. Can't believe someone who's taken a look at Steam's library can honestly say there's no good AA games or indie games.

 

[feynoob]

Life is evolution. Youtube and social media just replaced those entertainment. No one reads those sites anymore other than boomers.

 

[cash_longfellow]

I don’t want to be negative nancy

Starting your post with this is some show shit. Listen…if you are trying to make a point about something, trying to justify what you are doing with your first line will lose readers’ respect every time. Truthfully, I didn’t even read past that. If you have to put a disclaimer on your thoughts in the first sentence, maybe you should think harder to yourself if it’s worth it, before you consider sharing your thoughts?? Idk, maybe I’m wrong . But “I don’t want to be a negative Nancy”, but here I am being a negative Nancy, is just fucking weird to me.

 

[NecrosaroIII]

Western AAA is a dystopian hellscape, but it always has been. The true loss is the retreat of the Japanese studios to mobile, but theyre simply chasing their market since Japanese gamers have retreated there as well.

There is still good studf coming put from time to time, and Nintendo is still solid. Plus indie scene is good.

 

[JayK47]

Endless trash as they say. Plenty to keep you busy. I have enough free trash on Epic to keep me busy for years. I could never buy another game again and probably have plenty to play until I am physically unable to do so. I could go back and replay so many games I love.

 

[TommyCronin6969]

You couldn't be projecting any more than you already are on the gaming industry right now.

 

[Danjin44]

Starting your post with this is some show shit. Listen…if you are trying to make a point about something, trying to justify what you are doing with your first line will lose readers’ respect every time. Truthfully, I didn’t even read past that. If you have to put a disclaimer on your thoughts in the first sentence, maybe you should think harder to yourself if it’s worth it, before you consider sharing your thoughts?? Idk, maybe I’m wrong . But “I don’t want to be a negative Nancy”, but here I am being a negative Nancy, is just fucking weird to me.

I sometimes think people gaming forum or social media actively enjoy being overly negative.

 

[Robb]

Can’t say I agree with your feeling(s). Just buy the stuff that’s good, there’s more than plenty, and let the rest implode on itself and course-correct.

 

[MrA]

These are just three examples, we are getting tones of AA games but most people here ignore it.

How are you supposed to be full of doom and gloom if you play the great games being? That time should be spent focusing on studio closures (which have always happened) journalism being trash (which it was always just shills) and gaas trend panic (which is simply the most recent lemming trend)

 

[Northeastmonk]

I’ve got 3 games preordered on PSN. It’s hard for me to say it’s getting worse. I have a backlog on my Steam Deck. Things are good. I’m not even getting Star Wars or Assassin’s Creed. That’s considered a big AAA game. Shockingly enough, I found games I like more than those.

The industry is also huge. Following the pulse of the industry leads to mixed results (anymore). It works and then it doesn’t. At some point you have to find what you enjoy versus waiting on announcement trailers to guide you to what’s good. You’ve got so many different outlets that want your game time and money.

It’s weird cause you’ve got social media and streamers following the newest release, but that might not cut it for someone. That particular game might be the wrong game for you. Nothing really addresses that does it? Streamers and social media follow trends. If you aren’t feeling the newest gaming trend then are you focusing on the games you actually enjoy? There’s a lot of them out there.

 

[Danjin44]

How are you supposed to be full of doom and gloom if you play the great games being? That time should be spent focusing on studio closures (which have always happened) journalism being trash (which it was always just shills) and gaas trend panic (which is simply the most recent lemming trend)

 

[Icymanipulator]

Gaming journalism might be dead, but there are some great fan channels out there on YouTube covering everything from reviews to various aspects of game development, culture and more. I’d say things are actually better now then they were ages ago with a few outlets gatekeeping the entire medium.

Also
Indies don’t need to make or be “more professional” anything. Good and fun games will rise to the top, and graphics don’t seem to matter that much, if anything the indie scene on PC has shown over the last few years that smaller games can and will blow up.

 

[jakinov]

There's plenty of gaming journalism. If your problem is too much ads and AI generated articles it sounds a lot like the problem is that the sites you choose to spend your time on. It's like complaining about lack of journalism because you keep visiting tabloid sites.

In regards to your complaints about games these days not being unique, having or being meant to be thrown away. That's a whole lot of nonsense. There's so many unique games out there and it's become easier than ever for people to make and distribute games. These unique games don't just exist they can get pretty popular. It's just plain silly to say games are meant to be throwaway at a time where companies big and small are heavily invested in giving their games year of life with continuous updates.

I don't know what "shady business practices" you are talking about and need to be called out. Most of the stuff gamers usually call shady is hardly ever shady and just regular business.

The industry is doing super well in terms of business. Engagement is through the roof with games today with hundreds of million of players a month (unheard of 10 years ago). Variety of games is ridiculous with self-publishing on PC and consoles. It just seems like you are butthurt that the big companies aren't spending all their resources catering to what you want.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

.

one thing is for certian: A cycle is been closing and a new cycle will begin.

the issues is that certian actors want to think and perpetuate that the old one still has gas in the thank and no that kind of GaaS

 

[Dorfdad]

I don’t want to be negative nancy, but it honestly just feels like the entire Gaming landscape is falling apart. There’s virtually no gaming journalism left, the only news outlets covering games appear to be inundated with ads, AI generated articles, or both, and individual games are so expensive and “safe” that it leaves almost no room for anything unique.

And I’m sorry, but I just don’t think indie studios are prepared to take up the mantle of making “professional-quality games”. I would love to believe there is space for “AA studios”, but nobody seems to really be competing in that space. Things either have astronomical budgets, or shoestring budgets, with nothing really in between.

It just sort of feels like games are just becoming these throwaway products that aren’t even designed to entertain. There are almost no outlets willing or even able to call out major publishers or developers for shady business practices, and it’s effectively choking out a lot of the sense of gaming community that formed since the dawning of the internet at a part of our daily lives.

Just seems like we’re in a super depressing state of the industry, and I really don’t feel like we’re going to see a lot of “labors of love” over the next few years. Hell, even games that do well are seeing their devs dismantled.

Just seems like the industry is in a bit of a hopeless state.

We’re not your just getting old. Times changes and so does gaming. Imagine how I feel coming from trs80 and Atari

 

[00_Zer0]

OP I have one thing to say to you if you think that way:

If one is fixated on the doldrums of the AAA industry or todays gaming journalism I can understand the doom and gloom mentality, but with all the retro revivals, compilations, and AA games available on all platforms it is looking to be a bright future for gaming as far as I'm concerned.

The industry always corrects itself and the big and small players alike will come and go, then new stars are born. See From Software as a good example of going from AA to AAA. Their time for shining is now. They were cult classic devs for decades and now gamers everywhere celebrate them the world over.

The indie scene, and especially Japanese developers are not afraid to take chances on AA games where they can release smaller, more interesting games on every platform out there. So with the few AAA games that do hit the mark, and the interesting AA, and indie games, along with the retro revivals, gaming is bigger and better than ever.

As far as elitist mainstream journalism goes, gaming or otherwise, it's been dead for many years now on all fronts, and replaced by communities like Neogaf, Youtube, X, Discord, Reddit, independent journalist etc. Gamers no longer have to rely on trash takes, or trash reviews, or hyping up the next GaaS game like it's the next big thing. We can communicate, listen to, or even debate with like minded individuals in our little town square of interests and we are better off for it.

 

[Raven117]

There are some changes happening, but it will be fine.

 

[IAmRei]

I think, its not all, for me, japanese games are still alive and well...

But is it the fall of western game devs? Some are yes. Its unfortunate but what can we do? If not because of economy, its also because of DEI or bad company having bad decision. They are too big, and now getting smaller for the good. They will recover, but for how long, nobody knows.

And also if its journalist or web or magazines, its kind of evolve now, gone are usual web or magazine, to be replaced with youtube or social media accounts that they also have passion for it. Some are big and not so fun, but there are lot of smaller as well. Its not dead, its evolving.

 

[Fbh]

I can never relate with threads like this because I feel there are consistently more cool games coming out than what I have time for.

From fun multiplayer games like Helldivers 2 to bigger and lower scope RPGs like rebirth, unicorn overlord, SMTV, Eiyuden Chronicle, Infinite wealth, Dragons Dogma 2 etc to cool action games like Stellar Blade and more experimental ones like Kunitsu gami to some of the best DLC around with Shadow of the Erdtree and extremely addictive indies like Balatro.

There has been no shortage of fun stuff to play this year.
And the year is not even over with lots of cool stuff on the horizon like Astro bot, Stalker 2, Wukong, Metaphor, YS X, Space Marine 2, etc

 

[hemo memo]

You’re describing the AAA industry. That’s not all gaming. Also Nintendo is alive and well and very creative still.

 

[TerribleAtThisGame]

Just played Returnal and Hunt: Showdown for hours tonight. Git rekt.

 

[Skifi28]

I once had a bad dream. I can assure you I didn't make a thread about it.

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

I agree with OP. I have been playing older games more and more lately. There’s no fire or excitement to this industry anymore. I haven’t been floored by anything in probably well over a decade. Physics, enemy AI and visuals are barely improving,

 

[peek]

So much doom and gloom! 2024 legit one of my fav years in gaming for a while. Feel like I cant even keep up!

Heres the funny bit, yall notice that this year it feels like theres the least amount of big AAA releases? Ive been drowning in great indies and a few medium sized games. Gaming is good baby!

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Give me Metaphor, the final part of 7R, FF10R, FF17, Persona 6, 1-2 new Monolith Soft games, a 3rd NieR game and a sprinkling of other titles and I'll happily retire from gaming and enjoy the library of games over the past few decades into old age.

Then the Fortnite/Roblox/Minecraft generation can inherit the ashes and charred remains of the industry and build the microtransaction / in game currency future of their dreams.

 

[Bloobs]

Michael Pachter called it 15 years ago

 

[Hypereides]

These are just three examples, we are getting tones of AA games but most people here ignore it.

This is honestly the core issue with the community. Way too many people in the community are too closed minded to either seek out or try out games that lie outside of their familiar territory.

There's a wealth of indie and AA games out there that barely get any talk for better or worse. These should be the developers folks actively support instead of clinging to "monoliths" of the past who've practically gutted themselves. There are developers, indie and AA, who still express genuine desire, celebration and passion for the craft of video games.

 

[ProtoByte]

And I’m sorry, but I just don’t think indie studios are prepared to take up the mantle of making “professional-quality games”. I would love to believe there is space for “AA studios”, but nobody seems to really be competing in that space. Things either have astronomical budgets, or shoestring budgets, with nothing really in between.

AA studios never really existed tbh.
To prove this point, I'll ask you: What are the AA games you remember from the years 2000-2010?

Just seems like we’re in a super depressing state of the industry, and I really don’t feel like we’re going to see a lot of “labors of love” over the next few years.

Labour of love devs have always had a hard time in gaming.

Hell, even games that do well are seeing their devs dismantled.

Are we?

 

[Aretak]

Good.

 

[SHA]

I don't either think this is negative, the transition we wanted is new original ideas, just like in the 90s, we haven't seen that since then, at the same time we can't deny it's significance, with AI, I think this is completely normal and doable.

 

[AV]

Luckily, there's thousands of good old games you haven't played if you feel that way.

 

[Bonfires Down]

 

[DenchDeckard]

Mainstream gaming, the enjoyment, the spectacle has gone.

Actual games. Amazing. Especially Japanese developed games.

If the west can't get their shit together then shame for them.

 

[Hypereides]

OP I have one thing to say to you if you think that way:

If one is fixated on the doldrums of the AAA industry or todays gaming journalism I can understand the doom and gloom mentality, but with all the retro revivals, compilations, and AA games available on all platforms it is looking to be a bright future for gaming as far as I'm concerned.

The industry always corrects itself and the big and small players alike will come and go, then new stars are born. See From Software as a good example of going from AA to AAA. Their time for shining is now. They were cult classic devs for decades and now gamers everywhere celebrate them the world over.

The indie scene, and especially Japanese developers are not afraid to take chances on AA games where they can release smaller, more interesting games on every platform out there. So with the few AAA games that do hit the mark, and the interesting AA, and indie games, along with the retro revivals, gaming is bigger and better than ever.

As far as elitist mainstream journalism goes, gaming or otherwise, it's been dead for many years now on all fronts, and replaced by communities like Neogaf, Youtube, X, Discord, Reddit, independent journalist etc. Gamers no longer have to rely on trash takes, or trash reviews, or hyping up the next GaaS game like it's the next big thing. We can communicate, listen to, or even debate with like minded individuals in our little town square of interests and we are better off for it.

Its time to expand your horizons, J jcorb .

 

[peek]

Okay, nvm nice to some arent so doom and gloom after all. AAA games waiver so that the indies can have their time to shine.

 

[Hrk69]

 

[existensmaximum]

I don’t want to be negative nancy, but it honestly just feels like the entire Gaming landscape is falling apart. There’s virtually no gaming journalism left, the only news outlets covering games appear to be inundated with ads, AI generated articles, or both, and individual games are so expensive and “safe” that it leaves almost no room for anything unique.

And I’m sorry, but I just don’t think indie studios are prepared to take up the mantle of making “professional-quality games”. I would love to believe there is space for “AA studios”, but nobody seems to really be competing in that space. Things either have astronomical budgets, or shoestring budgets, with nothing really in between.

It just sort of feels like games are just becoming these throwaway products that aren’t even designed to entertain. There are almost no outlets willing or even able to call out major publishers or developers for shady business practices, and it’s effectively choking out a lot of the sense of gaming community that formed since the dawning of the internet at a part of our daily lives.

Just seems like we’re in a super depressing state of the industry, and I really don’t feel like we’re going to see a lot of “labors of love” over the next few years. Hell, even games that do well are seeing their devs dismantled.

Just seems like the industry is in a bit of a hopeless state.

I agree with you 100%

 

[Hudo]

If the new shit isn't doing it for me (and most of the new shit already isn't doing it for me), then I just keep playing old games. Luckily for me, I still have fun playing stuff like Freelancer, Elevator Action Returns, Tiberian Sun or Heroes of Might & Magic III.

 

[Rudius]

Western AAA is a dystopian hellscape, but it always has been. The true loss is the retreat of the Japanese studios to mobile, but theyre simply chasing their market since Japanese gamers have retreated there as well.

There is still good studf coming put from time to time, and Nintendo is still solid. Plus indie scene is good.

but it always has been

Not in the days of PS1 to PS3.