Former PlayStation Exec Sees a ‘Collapse of Creativity’ in Modern Games

by

Former PlayStation Exec Sees a 'Collapse of Creativity' in Modern Games

Key Takeaways

  • Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden says modern games are suffering a “collapse of creativity.”
  • He attributed this creativity crisis to studio consolidation and rising game development costs, among other factors.
  • Layden implored the remaining few AA developers to focus on fun rather than monetization and not be afraid to take risks, which is something their AAA rivals cannot afford.

As a gaming enthusiast with over two decades of PlayStation experience under my belt, I can’t help but agree with former boss Shawn Layden’s concerns about the “collapse of creativity” in modern games. Having watched Sony grow and evolve from its early days to the juggernaut it is today, I’ve seen firsthand how studio consolidation and rising game development costs have impacted the industry as a whole.

Previous Sony Interactive Entertainment chairman Shawn Layden expressed his view that current video games are experiencing a “creative crisis.” This perspective was shared during a recent discussion, where he additionally highlighted other problematic patterns impacting not only PlayStation but also the broader gaming industry.

For approximately two decades, Layden held various positions at Sony, culminating in his role as chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios. Prior to this, he served as the president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment America. Over the years, he took on several other roles within the company. In 2019, Layden departed from PlayStation, expressing burnout as the primary reason for his departure. Since then, he has worked in various capacities, such as a strategic advisor to Tencent, a significant player in the Chinese entertainment industry.

At the 2024 version of Gamescom Asia, held in Singapore, Layden participated. On the event’s first day, he took part in a discussion panel where Gordon Van Dyke, co-founder of Swedish game publisher Raw Fury, expressed concern over the vanishing of AA games. Layden agreed, mentioning that the decline of moderately-funded projects has also reduced the variety in today’s video games. As quoted by GamesIndustry.biz, he stated, “There seems to be a shrinking of creativity in the gaming industry.

Rising Game Development Costs and Studio Consolidation Hurt Creativity, Layden Says

Previously at Sony, an executive pointed out two primary causes fueling the current creative predicament: the merging of studios and escalating production costs. The increase in costs is significantly influenced by the elongation of AAA game development cycles, primarily due to consumers’ ever-increasing expectations for high-end games. As AAA game budgets keep climbing, reaching billions today, publishers are becoming less willing to take risks, according to Layden, which he described as a logical progression.

If we’re just going to rely on the blockbusters to get us through, I think that’s a death sentence.

The Gamescom Asia discussion wasn’t the first time the former Sony executive criticized this trend. For a long time, Layden has voiced his concern that the escalating costs of AAA games is unsustainable and suggested limiting it. Although they both believed indie games could alleviate the current creativity shortage to some extent, they expressed doubts about their potential effectiveness in making a significant impact.

Layden Implores AA Devs To Focus on Fun Rather Than Monetization

The point isn’t that they didn’t push for increased visibility for smaller-scale ventures within gaming. Instead, as Shawn Layden, a former PlayStation executive, put it, relying solely on blockbusters could be disastrous for the industry. He suggested that small-scale developers should lean into their medium-budget status and innovate to find unique spaces in the market. In simpler terms, he advised them to prioritize fun over monetary considerations. If your presentation of a small-scale game begins with monetization strategies, Layden would likely lose interest.

Read More

2024-10-19 18:23