Is The Video Games Industry On The Verge Of A Crash?


I’m going to leave this here without too much comment, because while part of me thinks this is pretty out there, I sure there are plenty of folks out there who agree with what he’s saying. It’s a video that attempts to compare the video game crash of the early 80s with the current situation we’re in now and, while I think it has some interesting things to say, I think it’s loaded with a fair amount of hyperbole.

It starts out well. In fact, the opening 10 minutes or so work as a pretty concise history lesson, and I enjoyed it! My only concern, I suppose, is that comparing the terrible amount of practically broken games released for the Atari in the 80s to our current situation is a pretty long bow. Whether or not you like games such as Mass Effect 3 or Assassin’s Creed III is your call, but in no way shape or form are they fundamentally terrible games like the games being released on Atari in the 80s. There is simply no comparison.

In fact you could argue the Android and iOS stores are more like that — a bewildering amount of choice, no real guarantee of quality. I would argue that the console/PC market isn’t anywhere near that situation.

Also — regardless of what you think of EA, with Origin, Sim City, and Mass Effect — I don’t think EA is quite the all consuming black hole of quality its being described as in this video. Again, just too much hyperbole, too many long bows being drawn.

But still, AAA console gaming is in a weird situation at the moment. But I’d argue its for different reasons. Simply put — games are too expensive to make, taking risks is difficult. That makes it less attractive for the EAs and Activisions of the world to create new, innovative IP. This makes it safer to develop safe bets and sequels. I think that’ll be more of a problem in the long term, but I don’t think we’re quite on the precipice yet.

Still, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the video, and the situation.


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