AAA Games
Ongoing coverage on AAA Games.
Latest coverage
The Last of Us game director says AAA games have gotten "boring," and he's "not excited" looking at God of War Laufey gameplay
The Last of Us game director Bruce Straley believes that AAA games have become "boring" and lack fresh, innovative ideas, citing God of War Laufey as an example of impressive visuals but unexciting gameplay. Straley, now running Wildflower Interactive, is focused on developing smaller, creatively-charged indie titles like Coven of the Chicken Foot, which he feels offer a more engaging experience.
Thief designer Randy Smith Evergreen refused to work for Xbox because it would be like 'walking past some stakes with human skulls on them' and pretending 'it's probably fine in this direction'
Thief designer Randy Smith Evergreen explains his decision to refuse an opportunity to work for an Xbox-funded studio due to Microsoft's history of studio closures, likening it to ignoring obvious danger. He discusses the challenges of AAA development for immersive sims and his preference for smaller, more focused indie projects.
Saber Interactive's Tim Willits on generative AI, moving development out of North America, and embracing recognisable IP
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits discusses the company's stance on generative AI, stating they are experimenting with it but not replacing human developers. He also highlights Saber's strategy of global development across 15 studios, focusing on AA titles and recognizable intellectual property, emphasizing disciplined budgeting and flexible team structures.
The AA games industry needs "a few more Expedition 33s" before publishers stop seeing smaller games as a major financial risk, says Valor Mortis director
Despite the massive success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, publishers remain hesitant to invest in AA games, viewing them as a significant financial risk. Radek Ratusznik, director at One More Level, believes the industry needs more unexpected bestsellers like Expedition 33 to prove the viability of smaller-scale, creative titles.
"We probably need a few more Expedition 33s to just prove them wrong" – the maker of Valor Mortis on why publishers should have faith in AA
One More Level, the studio behind Ghostrunner, discusses the challenges of securing funding for AA games despite successes like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. After losing publisher Private Division, the studio found a new partner in Lyrical Games, a publisher focused on mid-tier titles, allowing them to maintain their team and quality for Valor Mortis.
What Goes Into A Game Price Tag?
The article explores the factors influencing video game pricing, from the standard $70 AAA price point to lower-cost indie titles. Experts and developers discuss how production costs, market demand, and pricing strategies impact a game's success, with examples like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Mina the Hollower illustrating different approaches. The piece highlights that while some games command premium prices, others thrive by offering lower entry points to reach a wider audience.
Why a publisher you've probably not heard of is spending millions of dollars on its Gamescom presence
Publisher 4Divinity is making a significant investment, spending millions of dollars on an expansive booth at Gamescom to showcase its portfolio of upcoming AA titles, including Showa American Story and Guns of Eschaton. This strategy aims to establish a strong presence in the Western market, leveraging the success of Chinese-developed games like Black Myth: Wukong and targeting a gap in the market for single-player experiences.
New UK developer Pretty Cool Games founded by Human: Fall Flat developers
Pretty Cool Games, a new UK-based game development studio, has been founded by Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley, original developers of the hit indie game Human: Fall Flat. The studio, based in Leeds, is hiring and plans to develop an AA title with physics-based gameplay, aiming for innovation and a sustainable development model amidst industry challenges like layoffs and funding difficulties. Shefta highlighted the importance of long-term vision and supporting talent within the UK development community.
Small Axe Studios is a New AAA Team Under 2K Working on a New Sports Franchise
2K Games has established a new AAA development studio in Vancouver called Small Axe Studios, led by industry veterans including Aaron McHardy and Gary Paterson. The studio is focused on creating a new sports franchise, though the specific sport has not yet been revealed. Several key leadership and development roles have been filled by individuals with extensive experience in sports game development at companies like Electronic Arts.
Thief designer says that the immersive sim audience is too small for AAA games: 'There's quite a few of us who…
Designer Randy Smith Evergreen, known for his work on Thief and System Shock 2, argues that the immersive sim genre is too small for AAA development. He believes that the increasing budgets and scope required for AAA games are misaligned with the niche audience for immersive sims, leading to commercial disappointments like Arkane's Dishonored 2 and Prey. Evergreen suggests that a more viable path for immersive sims is through smaller, AA or indie budgets, citing the original Thief's modest budget as a successful model.
Remedy Entertainment touts pricing Control Resonant 'attractively for an AAA title'
Remedy Entertainment CEO Jean-Charles Gaudechon stated that Control Resonant will be priced attractively at $60 for an AAA title, aiming to stand out in a competitive autumn release window. The company is self-publishing the game after mixed results with previous efforts and is facing financial challenges, with Q2 2026 revenue down 40 percent. Despite this, Remedy is confident in Control Resonant's potential, citing over 1.5 million wishlists and strong pre-order rankings.
Former PlayStation head says the rise of AAA games shut down Japan Studio because Sony "wanted to drive hardware…
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida explained that Sony Interactive Entertainment closed Japan Studio in 2021 because its games did not drive console sales, unlike larger AAA titles. He encouraged support for former Japan Studio developers by playing their new games, Slitterhead and Ratatan. Yoshida also noted that while Japan Studio produced creative titles, their smaller scale made them less suitable for the shift towards AAA development on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
We need games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as a cure for the "fear" in the industry,…
Industry professionals are calling for more creative courage in game development, citing titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as examples of innovation. They argue that an excessive focus on de-risking and market research leads to homogenous, uninspiring games, and that the industry's fear of risk is its greatest threat. This discussion highlights the contrast between mid-sized AA budgets and the escalating costs of AAA development.
Evening Multiplex
A trailer overview for DOOM: The Dark Ages features Hugo Martin, while developers of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 discuss their approach to creating AAA games more efficiently. The article touches on strategies for smarter AAA game development.
Skull and Bones - AAAA-skeppet som sjönk
Ubisoft's Skull and Bones, initially conceived as an expansion to Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, endured a notoriously troubled development cycle. Plagued by delays, studio controversies, and a lack of clear direction, the game eventually released in 2024 to mediocre reception, failing to live up to its "AAAA" ambitions and high development costs.
GTA 6's price shows gaming's $80 luxury-tier is here to stay, and I don't want to upgrade my setup…
The $80 price tag for Grand Theft Auto 6, along with a $100 Ultimate Edition, signals a new luxury tier for AAA games that may alienate consumers. While the price is considered reasonable for Grand Theft Auto 6 due to its market power, the author fears this will set a precedent for other major publishers like Electronic Arts and Sony. This trend, combined with rising console and subscription costs, could price many gamers out of the hobby, potentially leading to a negative feedback loop similar to that seen in the music and film industries.
Rockstar veteran says there's a good reason why GTA 6 is more expensive than most titles – it's "not an average AAA game"
A veteran from Rockstar Games suggests that Grand Theft Auto 6's high development cost is due to it being an exceptionally ambitious project, distinguishing it from typical AAA titles. This indicates a significant investment and scope for the upcoming game.
We Adore the PS4 Part 2: Biggies and Indies
This blog post continues a tribute to the PlayStation 4, focusing on both major AAA titles and indie games enjoyed on the console. It follows a previous part that discussed classic collections and remakes.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s $80 Price Won’t Change Current $70 Baseline for AAA Games, Say Analysts
Industry analysts suggest that Grand Theft Auto 6's $80 price point will not immediately shift the AAA game baseline but may lead to more pricing variance. While some marquee titles might adopt higher prices, many games will likely stick to the $70 baseline due to consumer sensitivity and the need to 'earn' higher prices through established franchise value. Companies like Nintendo and Rockstar Games have unique pricing power due to their strong brand recognition and perceived value.
007 First Light Is Making The Case For Shorter, Sharper AAA Campaigns
This article argues that shorter, focused AAA campaigns can offer superior value compared to bloated open-world or live-service titles. It highlights games like 007 First Light, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Titanfall 2 as examples of delivering quality experiences within reasonable playtimes. The piece suggests that despite rising development costs, publishers can still find success with well-crafted, linear narratives.
