‘Just build an amazing game and the money will be pouring in! ‘ is always chanted among gamers. Is that equation really that simple? Rather, the gaming business, its ever-acting community, and dynamic changes show it may not be the case. A recent Reddit post to the gaming subreddit by u/beam05 has stirred a very heated discussion about how hard it really is to make any money from within the gaming business. This section covers the complex nature of the gaming business, focusing on aspects other than game quality which determine the success or failure of a game.
Unlucky examples meet insurmountable factors
The subtleties of game investments, the importance of release scheduling, and also the somewhat fickle nature of the purchase decisions by the gaming community will all be discussed.
Alien Isolation confirms that brilliance alone doesn’t guarantee box office success, and that a game chock-full of tension, thick atmosphere, and correctly conveyed mood of the original IP keeps players on the edge of their seats. Financially, though, it did not overwhelm quite as much as one could hope from an experience so masterfully designed, even if critically acclaimed. This is the fact that forms the base of our investigation into the truths of the industry. As one Redditor mentions, the gaming industry is powered by investments, which put profit over greatness. This already translates into a nightmare for anyone who believes a game’s success entirely depends on how good that game is. The whole global preoccupation with profitable games has already taken its toll in the way creators and investors labor at the expense of genuinely out-of-the-box and remarkable game experiences.
Another aspect that would significantly help determine the success of a game pertains to its actual release date. This is notably shown with the ill-fated release date of Titanfall 2, which landed between the release dates of two major games, and how, due to outside factors on the market, even the best-received game could end up performing poorly. And dates, and publisher expectations, and marketing tactics-that all can impact sales-this community member’s comment serves to remind us that there are a lot of challenges on the road to success that go way beyond actually creating the game.
The success on financial terms is hugely dependent on the gaming community itself. Sometimes, gamers buy games that fail to meet their expectations, thereby resulting in dissatisfaction, thus hurting sales. The unpredictable nature of customer behavior makes attaining commercial success even harder, which already is no easy task.
A funny comment about publishing executives taking notes for “more live service games” as we dig deeper into what the industry’s goals are underlines the trend towards games that have continuous streams of revenue. This change, in a shift of emphasis, reflects both the adjustment of the industry to evolving needs of consumers and its pursuit of sustainable business models.
As is quite evident from the Reddit discussion, gaming is a complex business, where everything-from player preferences and market timing to marketing strategies and a million other things-affects the bottom line, regardless of the quality of games. Equally complex and shifting are the sands surrounding the landscape of development and sale. It takes subtle comprehension by developers and investors alike desirous of success within the gaming industry.
Factors contributing to financial success
As we proceed on to the second half of our article, we have to face up to the rude reality that there are indeed games whose financial success is not based on their quality. A game is profitable depending on how a complex ecology of factors interact within the gaming business. Drawing from information in recent events and conversation from the gaming community, let’s take a closer look at these factors.
To start with, the gaming industry is a capital-intensive industry. As one Redditor puts it, “Great games don’t get investments.” Again, investment flows to profitable games. Again, this statement further underlines how investors would instead invest in initiatives promising them a higher return on investment rather than those that are merely of superior quality. This is also driven home by the shutdowns of other Bethesda studios, most notably Tango Gameworks, creators of the highly acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush game. Not even critical success with good execution could stand against strategic business decisions as Microsoft opted to axe the studio as part of a “reprioritization of titles and resources” despite the successful Hi-Fi Rush.
Another critical factor that may be greatly determining the success of a game is the release date itself. For example, Titanfall 2 had a bad release date since it launched between highly successful releases. Besides, excitement and availability of other titles can have a major influence on purchase decisions, so publishers have to choose strategic dates to release the games.
More than that, the gaming community’s behavior is unpredictable and can cause effects which are not expected. One of such users mentioned that “sometimes players are just buying the wrong games and complain later.” All this uncertainty makes the creation and popularization of new games even riskier. Along with crafting a game that will fit the high expectations of its players, developers have to cope with the unpredictable nature of users’ preferences.
Another trend that really speaks to where the goals of the industry are changing is with ‘live service games’. The humorous comment about publisher executives making notes to make more live service games gives, if anything, a bias toward games which generate recurring revenues through in-game purchases and subscriptions. This reflects how an industry shifts with consumer needs and its response in pursuit of long-term business strategy.
And further, the preoccupation with “high-impact titles” was proven in these recent closures from Microsoft, including the shuttering of Arkane Austin and Roundhouse Studios consolidating with ZeniMax Online Studios. The word ‘high-impact’ most likely describes titles that would return a high income, like Starfield. But even as smaller titles have seen success, like Hi-Fi Rush, Microsoft’s strategy has underlined how cash factors into the decisions of the majors in the industry.
The financial climate of the game development business makes it clear that several barriers lie in between success and would-be developers. Indeed, quality will suffice, but that is not the sole factor. The web needed to be negotiated by both developers and investors gets carved out in complexly carved factors: market trends, community behavior, release schedules, and investment goals. Success regarding finances in gaming is a multidimensional approach that needs to balance the pursuit of quality and smart financial planning, as was evidenced from the current debate on Reddit by the acts of industry titans like Microsoft.
The gaming industry is a tapestry made from commercial savvy, strategy, and inventiveness. The road to financial prosperity is like the game itself in that it takes strategy, adaptation, and conquering obstacles. The approach which people use while trying to set their status in the gaming industry needs to adjust with the sector in mention. While it might be a high-stakes game, the rewards can just be as thrilling as the games they create for those who can determine the rules.
Related posts:
Gaming News: The Truth Behind Making Great Games and Money
Xbox shuts down Tango Gameworks – the studio that made its only good game last year
The 11 Best Coffee Makers (Of All Kinds), Based On Extensive Testing
