Violence Sells: AAA RPGs' Combat-First Problem
Industry veterans Tim Cain and Josh Sawyer reveal why combat dominates AAA RPG design and marketing, despite growing demand for narrative choices and non-violent gameplay options.
1/14/2025
Gaming Industry Analysis
Gaming Industry Analysis
Latest in Gaming Industry Analysis
XDefiant: How Ubisoft's Big Bet Missed the Mark
When Ubisoft announced XDefiant, they promised a game that would shake up the shooter genre. Fast forward to today: empty servers, broken promises, and another free-to-play dream bites the dust. By June 2025, it'll join the growing list of games that aimed for the stars but barely left the ground.
12/4/2024
Suicide Squad's Final Update: Rocksteady's Last Chance
With Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League ending support in January, Rocksteady has one final opportunity to deliver the dark, compelling narrative fans expected from the Arkham studio.
1/12/2025
No Man's Sky: The Greatest Comeback in Gaming History (2016-2025)
From broken promises to gaming glory: A comprehensive look at how Hello Games transformed No Man's Sky through eight years of free updates, turning one of gaming's most controversial launches into an industry-defining success story.
1/2/2025
The Gaming Gold Rush Is Over. Here's What That Means For Your Favorite Developers
As veteran-led studios like Humanoid Origins close their doors and the pandemic gaming boom fades, the industry faces its biggest restructuring in decades. From Mass Effect veterans to indie startups, here's why even the biggest names in gaming are struggling to keep the lights on.
1/8/2025
Elder Scrolls 6: When Classic Fantasy Becomes Revolutionary
As modern RPGs race to subvert fantasy tropes, Elder Scrolls 6's traditional approach might ironically become the genre's most refreshing take. Here's why staying true to classic fantasy could be exactly what gaming needs.
1/13/2025
Apex Legends' Year of Broken Promises: A 2024 Review
EA's ambitious promises for Apex Legends in 2024 fell flat as the game faced community backlash over monetization changes, removed features, and stagnant gameplay development.
1/13/2025
When Batman's Creator Lost Its Way: The Suicide Squad Story
From Arkham's heights to Suicide Squad's struggles, here's how Rocksteady's leap into live service gaming led to a $200 million lesson in staying true to your studio's strengths.
1/12/2025
The Gaming Industry's Breaking Point 2024
Studios are crumbling. Since last year, over 23,000 lost their jobs. Not just junior devs - entire teams vanished. Veterans with decades of experience found themselves stranded. January 2024 hit particularly hard: 6,000 jobs gone in a single month.
12/4/2024
The Rise and Fall of Payday 3: A Development History
An in-depth examination of Payday 3's journey from anticipated sequel to troubled launch, exploring Starbreeze's ambitious plans, technical challenges, and ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the game through 2024.
12/31/2024