In recent one-on-one discussions with gamers, SDGT Entertainment delved into the challenges that many AAA developers are currently facing. The myth of being "too big to fail" is one that these developers need to get over, as it's becoming increasingly clear that alternative routes must be considered to ensure long-term success. Concord could've been morphed into a single player mission based adventure. If it were me, I would've wanted to see Firewalk give the game a secondwind by taking this route, and even let them fly free with the title under the conditions that it remained a Playstation exclusive (in terms of consoles) for a solid period of time.
I'm not saying Concord would've been able to last, especially with the track record and fanbase Hitman has, but... all that work didn't have to go to waste.
The Myth of "Too Big to Fail"
The notion that large developers are immune to failure is a dangerous misconception. The reality is that even the biggest names in the industry can falter if they don't adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer expectations. This was echoed by Chris J., an Ohio native visiting Orlando, who expressed his frustration with the current state of the industry:
"I hate when companies nickel and dime us for extra content that should've been in the game in the first place," says Chris J.
Not everyone will be able to go live with each title for online multiplayer action. The playerbase will have to come from somewhere and there are some badass games that a number of gamers aren't willing to part with just yet. Grand Theft Auto Online, Fortnight, CSGO, Minecraft, even COD Mobile are still ticking. I won't say run in fear when it comes to making online games, but... you have to know when to take a step back and do your homework to identify and take into account what warms someones heart enough to make that a purchase + microtransations would be okay vs a free-to-play setup or... additional DLC that adds to a complete game. These discussions also included Sims 4, which a couple I didn't get a chance to quote, had a major reaction about. They love Sims, but said similar to what I have in the past regarding how limited part 4 felt. We agreed that it was better off being a free-to-play game from the beginning. It took nearly a decade for that to occur, but they eventually adapted to the situation. I guess the $39.99 wasn't going to cut it anymore, especially with the cost of the DLC.
The Problem with Greed
Greed doesn't guarantee a continuous flow of money. Developers need to understand that their revenue comes from gamers with a fluctuating percentage struggling to make ends meet. Investments in gaming must make sense for these consumers. The big developers can play mind games with themselves, but reality will always keep it real with them, whether they like it or not.
When it comes to developers who are hesitant to revive fan-favorite games because they want to rake in piles of money on what appears to be the safe bet, it's understandable to seek success. However, the same gamers they want support from are the ones some don't seem to believe in. Even reaching out for crowdfunding for beloved games seems to be a step too far for some publishers.
Crowdfunding as a Viable Option
Newlyweds Trey and Diana S., honeymooning in Orlando, shared their thoughts on crowdfunding:
"I've given money to Kickstarters before, they just have to present it well and make the rewards worth it. I'll even pay a buck or two to get my name posted on a backer list. I don't have faith in the big developers to do Kickstarters bro, they're stuck up," says Trey S.
"If it's my job and I want to keep that job, I would listen to the customers," says Diana S.
Overall, if gamers are willing to put up the money for a game based on a calculated cost, it should be a no-brainer for developers to give the people what they're willing to invest in (if the goal isn't made thats the indicator to keep it moving). Giving gamers what they're willing to pay for seems to make too much sense for some publishers. Hopefully, this article... ruffles some feathers in the right way and helps more developers get over themselves if they're running into a wall.
