‘Big but Fewer’: A Risk-Reducing Strategy Takes Shape in the Global Gaming Industry
A “big but fewer” strategy is becoming increasingly evident across the global gaming industry. Major publishers such as Ubisoft, EA, and Sony are now developing fewer games than before, but with significantly larger budgets, longer development timelines, and a stronger reliance on established brands. The report was published by The Verge.
As part of a recent restructuring, Ubisoft has cancelled six games that were under development, including the much-anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake. The company is now focusing primarily on well-known franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.
According to industry experts, this approach is aimed at reducing risk in an increasingly uncertain market. However, it also brings added pressure: if a single high-budget game fails, the financial loss can be far greater than before.
Sony’s Concord serves as a cautionary example, demonstrating how years of investment can collapse within just two weeks of release.
Joost van Dreunen, a games professor at New York University, observes that while this strategy may buy companies time to survive, it does not guarantee a sustainable long-term future.
Safe, big-budget titles may generate profits, but they also risk sidelining new ideas and the courage to take creative risks. As a result, even if the future of gaming is filled with familiar faces, a critical question remains—how far can this path truly carry the industry?
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