3 ms·

Reminds me why I went into boring SAAS instead of gaming in the early oughts: games are too hit driven and too many passionate people want to do it anyway. So t

Reminds me why I went into boring SAAS instead of gaming in the early oughts: games are too hit driven and too many passionate people want to do it anyway. So there is no safe way to a balanced, financially stable life except grinding out sequels for big name publishers. Still I do have regrets and keep promising myself I'll make the time someday... once I'm financially secure. Props to them for taking risks on hard sell products. It enriches us all.

brucethemoose2 4y ago
I dunno about that. I think there's a sweet spot with "AA" developers kinda like Obsidian (at the top end of the scale) and Coffee Stain... if you are lucky enough to wind up in one. And by sweet spot I mean both business efficiency and quality. They arent just burning money and melting devs' faces for a soulless rehash like many AAAs, but they can stay above water better than an indie (especially with a big "hands off" backer like many have). And I think that sweet spot will be even more pronounced in the coming years since AAAs are losing many of their advantages, like high budget VA/asset making being replaced with AI, and fully bespoke engines being more of a liability than an advantage.
- arp242 4y ago
  It's a bit different now, but in the early 2000s everything had to be 3D, everything had to be a shooter, and everything had to be an action game. I'm exaggerating here, but entire genres all but died out for a decade or so; ~2000-2015 (give or take) was probably the worst time period in gaming, according to my tastes at least.
  - richardjam73 4y ago
    In comparison nowadays is a renaissance. What I like about Indies today is they often bring forgotten genres and concepts from the past back to life and there actually is a market for all this. However it can be a slog trying to get your game to market.

3 ms·

Reminds me why I went into boring SAAS instead of gaming in the early oughts: games are too hit driven and too many passionate people want to do it anyway. So t

by paulryanrogers 4y ago

brucethemoose2 4y ago
I dunno about that. I think there's a sweet spot with "AA" developers kinda like Obsidian (at the top end of the scale) and Coffee Stain... if you are lucky enough to wind up in one. And by sweet spot I mean both business efficiency and quality. They arent just burning money and melting devs' faces for a soulless rehash like many AAAs, but they can stay above water better than an indie (especially with a big "hands off" backer like many have). And I think that sweet spot will be even more pronounced in the coming years since AAAs are losing many of their advantages, like high budget VA/asset making being replaced with AI, and fully bespoke engines being more of a liability than an advantage.
- arp242 4y ago
  It's a bit different now, but in the early 2000s everything had to be 3D, everything had to be a shooter, and everything had to be an action game. I'm exaggerating here, but entire genres all but died out for a decade or so; ~2000-2015 (give or take) was probably the worst time period in gaming, according to my tastes at least.
  - richardjam73 4y ago
    In comparison nowadays is a renaissance. What I like about Indies today is they often bring forgotten genres and concepts from the past back to life and there actually is a market for all this. However it can be a slog trying to get your game to market.