The Vergecast Fortnite, GTA VI, and the fate of AAA games
23 snips
Nov 20, 2023 
Chris Plante and Russ Frushtick, insightful video game journalists from Polygon, dive into the landscape of blockbuster games, including Grand Theft Auto and Fortnite. They discuss the rising trend of subscription models and how it parallels Hollywood’s blockbuster approach. The duo also tackles the challenges facing AAA titles, like franchise fatigue and high production costs. They explore the impact of Game Pass on game innovation and speculate on the future of gaming, particularly looking forward to the much-anticipated GTA VI.
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Gaming's Transition
- The video game industry is undergoing a transition similar to Hollywood's shift in film and TV production.
- Mid-budget games are becoming less common as studios invest in large, established franchises or small indie projects.
Ubisoft's Shift
- Ubisoft used to release experimental mid-budget titles like a Driver game and a Shaun White skateboarding game.
- The success of Call of Duty led Activision to prioritize big bets, impacting resources for smaller projects.
Engine Impact
- Large publishers' reliance on internal engines like Frostbite and Anvil can create tech debt and hiring challenges.
- Indie developers benefit from accessible engines like Unreal and Unity, streamlining development.