- Former BioWare exec Mark Darrah says that 2025 has been the worst year for the gaming industry.
- He says that gamers might be ready to move away from live-service titles, and Clair Obscur 33 is a testament to that.
- GTA 6 will be the defining moment as its sales outcome will determine if the industry moves away or doubles down on live-service games.
All eyes are on Rockstar for the highly anticipated release of GTA 6 next year. Now that a release date is finalised with no further delays expected, GTA 6 is shaping up the entire industry for good despite not even releasing yet.
The current focus on live-service games has ruined the industry, and it’s only getting worse. According to a former EA producer, GTA 6 will influence the outcome and potentially guide the industry’s direction away from or further into the live-service trend.
Why it matters: The focus on live-service games has led to several studios shutting down and the layoff of some great industry talent. A new direction sounds optimistic for the future of the gaming industry.
Mark Darrah, a former BioWare Veteran, said that 2025 has been more brutal for the gaming industry than ever. He also said that Clair Obscur 33 is a strong signal that gamers want to move away from the current live-service push.
The AA game was quite successful for its minimal budget and is proving that smaller-budget games are the future of the industry right now.
Still, GTA 6 will determine the final outcome, whether it succeeds in proportion to its big budget and hype or not. If the game turns out to be the biggest launch ever, the industry may even double down on the live-service push and big blockbusters, as it always follows suit.
However, if it doesn’t, then it’s the signal that gamers are ready to move away to smaller releases, similar to Clair Obscur 33, as suggested.
That may not happen, however. Analysts already predict GTA 6 to sell a whopping 85 million copies in just 2 months, and that may even happen, considering how much hyped the game is getting.
Do you think the publishers will ever stray away from the live-service push? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
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[Staff Writer]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheerzahid03@gmail.com
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