In this engaging conversation, Gita Jackson, a games journalist and co-owner of Aftermath, teams up with fellow journalist Nathan Grayson, author of 'Stream Big.' They discuss how the relentless drive for growth is harming the gaming industry and leading to layoffs. The duo delves into how fandom culture can breed extremism and share how Aftermath approaches journalism differently. Despite industry challenges, they celebrate the creativity and brilliance of new games being developed, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and artistic integrity.
The growth-at-all-costs mentality in gaming pressures developers to produce blockbuster titles, often sacrificing creativity and workforce stability.
Fannish extremism within gaming culture can stifle diversity and negatively impact representation in narratives, challenging inclusivity efforts.
Indie games thrive by prioritizing innovative gameplay and relatable storytelling, contrasting significantly with the high-budget, hit-driven approach of larger studios.
Deep dives
The Impact of AI in Business
AI is significantly transforming business practices by enhancing productivity and decision-making across various industries. Companies that fail to embrace AI technology risk being surpassed by competitors that leverage these advancements. While adopting AI can yield substantial benefits, it also demands considerable computational resources, leading to increased operational costs. Organizations utilizing Oracle Cloud Infrastructure find a cost-effective solution, as OCI cuts expenses associated with cloud computing for AI workloads considerably compared to other major platforms.
The Current State of the Gaming Industry
Major gaming companies are increasingly shifting their focus toward producing fewer but larger-scale games, often resulting in workforce layoffs. This hit-driven approach reflects a belief that securing a blockbuster title will yield significant returns, but it places considerable pressure on developers. Failures can lead to catastrophic financial losses, disproportionately affecting employees while leaving executives unscathed. The definition of a hit has evolved to align more closely with cultural phenomena like Fortnite, suggesting that only games with widespread recognition are deemed successful.
Expanding Concepts in Game Development
Game developers face growing demands to create titles that remain relevant and entertaining over extended periods, shifting away from the traditional model of single-purchase transactions. The idea of a game existing perpetually, akin to live service models, reflects a trend where ongoing revenues are prioritized. This continuous cycle creates a relentless expectation on developers to deliver regular updates, expansions, and content refreshing. However, amidst these pressures, the quality and innovative aspects of game design often suffer as studios struggle to balance profitability with creativity.
The Rise of Indie Games and Unique Narratives
The indie gaming sector is thriving by offering relatable narratives and innovative gameplay, often contrasting with larger studios' production models. Titles such as Hades and Pyre demonstrate how smaller teams can create compelling experiences that resonate with players emotionally, emphasizing character-driven storytelling. These games prioritize artistic expression and personal connections over commercial viability, showcasing the industry's potential for creativity. The success of indie titles calls attention to the significance of narrative depth and player agency in fostering meaningful gaming experiences.
The Role of Fandom in Gaming Culture
Within gaming culture, fandoms can exert powerful influences on the industry's creative direction, often to the detriment of diversity and inclusivity. Many players with strong emotional investments in franchises may resist changes that introduce representation, labeling them as overly 'woke'. This backlash can create toxic environments where marginalized voices are suppressed, hindering progress. Interestingly, even as these dynamics unfold, the market continues to thrive with innovative games that challenge conventional narratives, indicating a simultaneous desire for change and adherence to tradition.
Mismanagement and Executive Decisions in Gaming
The gaming industry's current climate illustrates how executive mismanagement can undermine creative potential and worker morale. High-profile developers face unstable job security due to decisions rooted in profit-maximization rather than artistic integrity. Executives often reap the rewards while the creators, who significantly contribute to a game's success, suffer layoffs and project cancellations. This disparity highlights the need for a shift toward collaborative structures that value every contributor's role in developing innovative and engaging gaming experiences.
In this episode, Ed Zitron is joined by Gita Jackson and Nathan Grayson of worker-owned games site Aftermath to talk about how the growth-at-all-costs mindset is destroying games, how fandom culture naturally feeds extremism, how Aftermath does games journalism differently, and how despite everything, great games are still being made.
