Why the video game industry is such a mess
Decoder with Nilay Patel
00:00
Chasing Graphical Fidelity Over Gameplay Value
Big triple A publishers are increasing video game budgets by chasing unnecessary graphical improvements while neglecting the gameplay value that players truly appreciate, which may not translate into higher sales. Examples include the significant cost increase for Spider-Man 2 without clear added value and Square Enix's decision to split Final Fantasy VII Rebirth into two games, potentially diminishing its success. This trend highlights the challenge of recouping investments when focusing excessively on marginal graphical enhancements, raising questions on the necessity of multi-million dollar game budgets.
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