writingongames

New Video! The Games Industry is Completely Broken, and This is Why (Patreon)

Published:

2024-05-10 22:50:39

Imported:

2026-06

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Hey everyone!

Letting you know that there's a new video available, ad-free via the link above! I am angry at the state of the games industry. Even when the higher ups at game companies were at their greediest, you could usually at least understand the logic behind their decisions. With the recent, baffling news that Microsoft is to shutter Tango Gameworks (among others), despite the studio providing Xbox a bonafide smash hit in the form of Hi-Fi Rush (on top of countless other layoffs and closures from studios making some of the most successful games ever, such as Naughty Dog with The Last of Us), that logic seems to have gone out of the window. In this analysis piece, I discuss how we got here, how the industry is becoming increasingly hostile towards not only art but seemingly monetary success, and the indie devs and studios like Larian and Supergiant proving that it doesn't have to be this way.

This one came together relatively quickly after the Xbox nonsense—I realise I have another video to finish talking more about indie games specifically, but man this just irritated me enough that I just needed to vent my thoughts. This is not a video claiming to have the answers, and it doesn't capture all the complexities of media production or studio acquisition/funding, not even close—just questioning why it has to be this way. I will say it felt good to produce a video like this in a condensed period of time, so at least among the baffling business decisions, there's that I suppose.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video. I might end up reworking the indie games piece a bit, we'll see. The finished version of that will be coming soon, and there are whole bunch of videos in the works after that. Lot of work happening right now, and I hope you're excited for the finished products. Your support allows me to spend all this time working on things, and I'm so, so thankful for that. You are all the best.

Thanks again,

Hamish

Writing on Games

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Previews only

The Games Industry is Completely Broken, and This is Why

With news of Microsoft closing Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks (makers of much loved Hi-Fi Rush), it's clear the previous markers of success don't apply. When studios aren't safe even when they make a hit, something is deeply, deeply wrong. Apologies to Hbomberguy for ripping off the title format. Support the show on Patreon - http://patreon.com/writingongames Podcast - http://anchor.fm/writingongamescast Second Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1xxfS_HILi09yaELQdmV1A --- I am angry at the state of the games industry. Even when the higher ups at game companies were at their greediest, you could usually at least understand the logic behind their decisions. With the recent, baffling news that Microsoft is to shutter Tango Gameworks (among others), despite the studio providing Xbox a bonafide smash hit in the form of Hi-Fi Rush (on top of countless other layoffs and closures from studios making some of the most successful games ever, such as Naughty Dog with The Last of Us), that logic seems to have gone out of the window. In this analysis piece, I discuss how we got here, how the industry is becoming increasingly hostile towards not only art but seemingly monetary success, and the indie devs and studios like Larian and Supergiant proving that it doesn't have to be this way. The games industry is broken—some might say beyond repair. 0:00 - The games industry makes no sense right now 0:51 - The baffling closure of Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks 2:42 - This is destroying the industry 4:06 - The ones who remain 5:13 - The music industry and the importance of creative control 7:21 - People want more sustainable games 8:23 - Supergiant can do it, why can't you? 9:08 - The Baldur's Gate 3 studio is (technically) still indie 10:29 - You must retain control 11:47 - Outro --- Animated text intro by Isaac Holland - http://twitter.com/drazgames