It’s all very sad, isn’t it – where does the games industry go from here?

I have always had a deep love for video games. It’s safe to say that I am truly obsessed with them. Since a young age, I’ve been captivated by what they offer – their ability to push technology forward, to entertain, to excite me like nothing else. As a child, I used to devour around 10 video game magazines a month (sometimes more if I wasn’t kicked out of my local WHSmiths, which I practically used as a library). I took pleasure in sharing my passion for video games with my friends, knowing that I wanted to turn this passion into a career. And I did. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but here I am, 20 years later, still as obsessed as ever.

However, there’s a different feeling in the air now. It’s hard to put into words, but it feels… unpleasant.

The abrupt changes happening are difficult to comprehend.

Mass layoffs and studio closures are on the rise. The exact number of job losses since the beginning of 2023 is hard to pinpoint, but estimates suggest it’s around 20,000. Some losses are due to cost-saving restructures, while others result from entire studio shutdowns, like the recent closure of Bethesda’s Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin.

Yet, amidst all this turmoil, the last 16 months have delivered some of the best game quality we’ve ever seen. From big-budget titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk: Phantom Liberty, to indie gems like Balatro, Animal Well, Sea of Stars, the gaming landscape is thriving.

It’s challenging to reconcile the industry’s relentless pursuit of growth with the reality of talented developers losing their jobs and beloved studios shutting down. I empathize with their struggles, having experienced setbacks in my own life, but the sheer scale of these losses is overwhelming.

My emotions are conflicted, especially when it comes to Xbox. The platform has played a significant role in my life, from my first review of Halo to running a games media business during the early Xbox generations. While I want Xbox to succeed, I also grapple with their recent decisions that clash with my fondness for the brand.

There’s a growing narrative online about Xbox’s uncertain future, especially regarding their hardware. Despite their strong lineup of games and services like Game Pass, Xbox seems to be struggling to find its footing in the industry.

As the industry grapples with challenges, companies like Embracer and Take Two have faced their own setbacks. Sony, too, has had layoffs and controversial decisions around its releases. It’s a tumultuous time for the gaming industry as a whole.

Amidst all this, I find myself pondering Nintendo’s strategy of prioritizing accessibility over cutting-edge technology. It’s a reminder that the gaming industry is constantly evolving, and only time will tell what the future holds.