Comments on: AAA Game Development Is Unsustainable, Uncharted 3 Director Says

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 15:09:00 +0000

In reply to Riggybro. Yeah I think graphics and fun factor rule the day now....can't remember the last game that won GOTY that had revolutionary gameplay and story

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 15:06:00 +0000

Wow Pramath, this is kinda scary. Just look at how many people work on the 3 different CODs we get now….300!

By: Riggybro

Riggybro — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 23:00:00 +0000

The thing that I really dislike about most AAA games is they are so BLAH. They play it so safe with story and gameplay. They are (80 hour a week) production line stuff.

And then people go out and buy them in droves.

It has basically become like the music/movie industry. Pop/commercial movies stick to a formula which is manufactured to be as m.o.r and unchallenging as possible to make $$$$.

Then you have a separate category of “independent” for trying out new/unpopular ideas.

On one hand I blame the companies/their monopolies for taking everyone for a ride. The review sites that spend paragraphs going on about how stale and safe a game is…. then rewarding them a 7 or 8 score.

But on the other hand the #1 game this gen is COD so… if it’s what people want then… it’s what people will continue to receive.

By: Clint Hoffman

Clint Hoffman — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 20:12:00 +0000

While I agree with the sentiment in the story, it’s interesting that some AAA games have a terrible story, lackluster graphics and issues in performance/gameplay. I think it really breaks down in various pros/cons on 3 points:
1. Game Engine – max performance/minimum effort/intelligent choices : Requires engine that can bolt in new aspects/improvements without major impacts (e.g. replace physics engine for more realistic effects or drop in a Vulkan or DX12 back end)
2. Experienced/Knowledgeable/Competent Staff : Preferably experience with the Engine as well as game design.
3. Company (Publisher/Studio/Designer) to recognize and ensure adequate resources are made available. That means enough Staff, Experienced people for the tasks done and a solid game engine.

I think Naughty Dog does # 1 & 2 points very very well (no puns intended) and mostly because of point # 2. If you are working 80 hour weeks, then their should be 2 people doing your job, not one. If it requires 3 people to replace one 80hr person, then there is a disconnect in communication/tasks and competence. ND fails on # 3.

Other companies (Edios) get 1/2 points on #1 (potential is there) but either not enough time (e.g. no 80 hr weeks) or enough experience (staff) as they couldn’t overcome game engine issues. For point 3 they simply didn’t have enough funds and were struggling as is.