Triple-A Games
Ongoing coverage on Triple-A Games.
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While still headquartered in the US, Saber exec Tim Willits says it has 'no real development in North America…
Saber Interactive Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated that the company has largely ceased game development in North America, focusing instead on global subsidiaries while maintaining publishing operations in the US. Willits criticized the high costs and perceived inefficiency of many North American triple-A studios, contrasting them with Saber's more cost-effective development approach for titles like Space Marine 2 and SnowRunner.
Steam gamers have spoken: innovative indies like Palworld continue to thrive while traditional triple-A flounders for a foothold
PC gaming on Steam in 2026 shows a strong trend of innovative indie titles like Palworld thriving, while traditional AAA games struggle to gain traction. Despite industry layoffs, unique projects from smaller teams are resonating with players, contrasting with the performance of recent AAA releases such as Halo: Campaign Evolved and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.
Sunday Interviews
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden expressed a desire to revitalize the "double-A" game development space. He believes this tier of games is crucial for the industry's health and has a plan to bring it back.
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden wants to save games by bringing back double-A - and he has a plan
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes the current blockbuster game development model is unsustainable due to exponentially rising costs. He is developing a plan to revitalize the underserved double-A market, arguing that this tier of games is more economically feasible and can attract new players to the industry.
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden wants to save games by bringing back double-A - and he has a plan
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes the escalating costs of blockbuster game development are unsustainable and advocates for the return of the double-A market. He plans to establish a publishing concern focused on funding and supporting these mid-tier games, arguing they can attract new players and offer more creative freedom than current triple-A trends.
Xbox and Sony's games all looked the same this year. Here's why the PC Gaming Show won
The author argues that while major showcases from Xbox and Sony featured many anticipated titles, most triple-A games looked visually similar. In contrast, the PC Gaming Show highlighted innovative indie and double-A titles across various genres, demonstrating where true creativity in gaming currently lies.
Crimson Desert studio Pearl Abyss is really "an indie publisher with a triple-A quality game," marketing lead…
Pearl Abyss marketing lead Will Powers described the company as an "indie publisher with a triple-A quality game," highlighting their adaptability compared to larger studios. While the company develops the ambitious Crimson Desert and Black Desert Online, its ownership of CCP Games and investments in other studios suggest a broader industry ambition beyond a purely indie classification.
New study confirms what your backlog already knew about $70 games
A recent study indicates that a significant majority of committed gamers, across Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, are no longer purchasing games at full price. This trend aligns with the popularity of free-to-play titles and the high cost of premium games, leading many to wait for sales or avoid full-price purchases altogether.
We must demand worse graphics to save the video games industry - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that the video game industry must reduce graphics fidelity to combat unsustainable development costs, which have reached $300 million for some titles. The author highlights indie success stories like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which achieved massive profits on a small budget, suggesting that publishers should prioritize lower budgets, PlayStation 4-level graphics, shorter game lengths, and cheaper prices over chasing hyper-realistic visuals.
