In a passionate reader's feature for GameCentral, a gamer and father of two expresses frustration with the current state of the video games industry, describing it as a "f’ing mess." The reader, writing under the name Dr Gonzo, points to financial troubles at major publishers like Ubisoft and EA, mass layoffs despite billions spent on studio acquisitions, and puzzling decisions from console giants Sony and Microsoft.
Sony and Microsoft's Missteps
The reader highlights Sony's heavy investment in live-service games despite apparent lack of interest, while Microsoft flip-flops on multiformat strategy and seemingly neglects its acquired properties. "Sony and Microsoft are having a competition on bad news, and they’re both winning," the reader quotes, summing up the absurdity. Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is cited as leading to the slow decline of Call of Duty, while Halo has been effectively killed and first-party game production has dwindled.
The End of Physical Media
Sony's announcement that it will stop producing physical game discs after next year is described as an "own goal." While the reader acknowledges that an all-digital future is inevitable, they criticize Sony's digital storefront for inflated prices and monopolistic practices. "Anyone who has used Sony’s stores will be fully aware of how inflated their games are," they note, contrasting it with Steam's better user experience, including timed refunds. The recent deletion of hundreds of previously purchased movies due to licensing issues further erodes trust in digital ownership.
Rising Costs and Shifting Value
The reader cites rumors that the PlayStation 6 could cost upwards of £1,000, combined with the lack of physical media, as reasons to reconsider buying a PlayStation. Traditionally, consoles offered price, plug-and-play convenience, and physical media as advantages over PCs. With these eroding, the reader questions the value proposition.
Bright Spots: Indie and Double-A Games
Despite the gloom, the reader finds hope in the indie and double-A sectors. "The indie side of gaming is incredible and improving year after year," they write, noting that the struggling triple-A market has created space for double-A games. Studios like Capcom, which the reader sees as run by people with genuine gaming passion, are delivering hits such as Resident Evil 4 and 9.
Corporate Greed Blamed
The reader concludes that large Western corporations are run by "money men" who leech onto companies, syphoning profits while killing the creative spirit. This pattern, they argue, is not unique to gaming but is destroying the industry from within.
