Be Like a Dragon
AAA games are becoming less sustainable
Netflix, which is a relative newcomer to the gaming scene, has just shuttered its AAA game studio — before the team has even released a game. One could see this as a sign that Netflix, which is notably quick at cancelling shows, may be having second thoughts about its gaming plans. While the streaming giant has yet to say why, I think that AAA games are looking like risky bets nowadays, and Netflix may be making the right call at pulling out early.
Now, there have been plenty of articles about the death of the AAA games in recent years. But this year has seen the closure of several high-profile game studios such as Arkane Austin and Sony’s London Studio. The rising cost of AAA games, as well as the time taken to make them — five years seems like the minimum — mean that there’s a lot at stake. If an AAA game flops, there will likely be layoffs. Some studios may disappear entirely, as seems likely with Firewalk Studios, which made Sony’s short-lived Concord sci-fi shooter.
Even being a moderate success may not be sufficient for AAA titles with their high budgets. Square Enix said that sales for its latest AAA Final Fantasy titles: FF7 Rebirth and FF16 didn’t meet expectations. While the company hasn’t revealed the overall sales numbers, it did previously announce that FF16 sold over 3 million copies in its first week.
Another consequence of AAA games costing hundreds of millions to produce is that these games are becoming less creative, as former Sony PlayStation executive Shawn Layden noted during a Gamescom Asia panel. Just like Hollywood, games studios are resorting to safe bets, like making sequels and keeping to tried-and-tested formulaic gameplay in order to guarantee sales. As a result, AAA game studios may end up creating games that feel generic, and not as fun as indie titles that have more freedom to tinker with the gameplay.
Personally, one of my favourite games of the year is Balatro, which was made by one person. But I’m not saying AAA games should go away entirely. We still need those momentous game launches that generate buzz and excitement. Hopefully, Grand Theft Auto 6 will do that next year.
But instead of betting years of development and hundreds of millions on one game, perhaps game studios can take a leaf from Like a Dragon developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which seems to be churning out bestselling games regularly. Its upcoming pirate yakuza game will be its third in the series in three years. Sure, their games may not have the best-looking graphics, reuse plenty of graphical assets and animations, and don’t stray that far from previous installments, but they are still fun and entertaining. Not AAA, but AA+ may be the more sustainable way forward.
This week, we looked at DJI’s new mid-range drone, a smart ring that tracks your health and fitness, and one of the best sounding true wireless earbuds you can buy now.
The new mid-range DJI Air 3S ups the ante when it comes to its imaging hardware. Its main camera is now 50MP, up from 48MP, and uses a larger 1-inch CMOS sensor that captures a lot more light and detail. To help you take the best shot, DJI also has plenty of helpful shot-taking functions, such as Dronie, Boomerang, Rocket, and more. Prices start from as low as S$1,399.
If you can’t stand wearing a smartwatch to bed, perhaps you should consider a smart ring like the Ultrahuman Ring Air (S$499) instead. This lightweight ring can track the usual health and fitness metrics, from steps to heart rate to sleep tracking. It’s definitely more comfortable than a smartwatch, and you can even take it swimming. Battery life is better than a smartwatch, with about five days of uptime.
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is one of the best sounding earbuds you can buy now. Sure, you’ll pay a fairly steep premium (S$699) compared with popular wireless earbuds from Bose and Sony, but the Pi8’s audio quality is impeccable, allowing you to hear details that you won’t experience with the average earbuds. However, its noise cancellation is only average, and the battery life is far from the best. You’re really paying all that for the sound.