- Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has called for the return of AA game development.
- Layden points to the PS2 era, when studios regularly shipped experimental and more focused experiences.
- He hopes studios will once again return to this style of game, and the ex-Sony executive is currently working towards that goal.
Modern AAA games are taking longer to build, requiring larger teams and placing enormous pressure on publishers to deliver blockbuster sales. Many industry veterans have also acknowledged these drawbacks in modern game development.
A former PlayStation boss has once again discussed the ongoing game development crisis. He believes part of the solution may be found in Sony’s own past.
Why it matters: A successful AA market could give studios an alternative to expensive, five-year development cycles while offering players more varied games between major releases.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Layden has argued for a renewed focus on AA games inspired by the PS2 era.
These projects would prioritize strong gameplay and memorable characters without chasing photorealistic visuals, enormous worlds, or increasingly long runtimes. Layden’s proposed model would also focus on games that can be completed in roughly 12 to 15 hours.
He argues that games cost so much today that getting publishers to greenlight one often requires a sequel or mainstream franchise. However, he notes that this means the quirky games from the PS1 and PS2 era don’t see the light of day today.
This is exactly why the ex-Sony executive is going in the opposite direction.
We keep making more of the same thing. That’s why I’m trying to put together a publishing concern that will address that AA market.
As always, the former PlayStation boss makes a ton of great points in his latest discussion. Like him, many others have discussed the pitfalls of rising budgets and the overemphasis on photorealism.
Would you like to see PlayStation invest in more shorter, mid-budget AA games? Do you enjoy playing more experimental titles?
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