The latest Games Inbox sees readers expressing deep concerns about the state of the video games industry, with one reader questioning whether gaming can survive after reports that Gears Of War: E-Day cost $500 million to develop, while others look forward to upcoming titles from former BioWare developers.
Concerns Over Industry Spending
One reader, Jeffries, expressed disbelief at the reported $500 million budget for Gears Of War: E-Day, calling the game a bomb due to poor Xbox sales and low Steam numbers. They questioned how such a decision could be made at a company that recently laid off 3,000 people, suggesting that publishers have gone off the rails.
The reader also pointed to EA's $18 billion debt and its recent studio closures and game cancellations, arguing that the industry is making money only for a handful of executives while fans and the wider industry suffer. They wondered whether gaming will survive at this rate, stating that companies seem to be purposefully sabotaging themselves and that the industry is dying, at least in the West.
Best-Seller Surprises
Another reader, Tomfall, noted that despite many amazing games released this year, the best-seller is a basketball game that even its buyers seem to dislike. They reflected on how the number of people who appreciate good video games might be smaller than thought, recalling similar disappointments with top 10 charts 20 or 30 years ago.
The reader expressed relief that GTA 6 is coming out this year, predicting it will be the best-seller, but added that combined with Call Of Duty and EA Sports FC, it might take until the fifth best-seller to find anything good.
BioWare's Decline
Glottis shared shock at news about BioWare, noting that the company lost its way after Mass Effect: Andromeda and that many original staff have left. With only 50 people remaining, they questioned how a modern game could be made with so few developers, while still cursing EA for buying the studio years ago.
The reader looked forward to Exodus, which has Mass Effect veterans on the team, and Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic, directed by the director of Knights Of The Old Republic and Mass Effect 1, calling these projects closer to the real BioWare than the shell of a company EA shut down.
Physical Media Concerns
Shahzaib Sadiq expressed concern about the loss of physical media, citing Phantom Blade Zero receiving a physical copy in 2027 and predicting that future titles like The Last Of Us Part 3 and a new God Of War will be digital only. They lamented the end of disc manufacturing but acknowledged that the world is already digital.
As a Nintendo fan, they highlighted their growing physical collection, including a rare Japanese imported Bayonetta for the Nintendo Switch, priced at £85 at CeX second-hand. They plan to buy the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix when announced but admitted it will be difficult to be a Sony fan in the future.
