Former God of War studio head Meghan Morgan Juinio has warned major publishers against focusing solely on big-budget AAA games. As the gaming industry expands, the scale of games has also evolved. However, significant players in the industry have faced challenges, including poor sales and financial setbacks. Juinio provides valuable insights into how companies can navigate these evolving market conditions.
God of War remains a hugely successful AAA franchise. The reboot in 2018 was highly acclaimed, and there’s speculation about a new installment focused on an Egyptian setting or potentially exploring different genres. Despite the excitement surrounding the franchise, Juinio advocates for a shift in industry focus away from exclusive reliance on AAA releases.
Juinio Advocates for Diversification in Game Publishing
In an interview with Game Developer, Juinio, who was Co-Head and Director of Product Development at Santa Monica Studio until June 2025, criticized the industry’s fixation on AAA titles in the wake of the pandemic. She highlighted the importance of creativity and innovation, emphasizing the potential for success through smaller, more experimental games. Notably, Split Fiction achieved over four million sales in months, while EA’s flagship titles struggled to meet expectations.
Image Example
Juinio was keen to note that AAA games do still hold promise, with a substantial payoff when they succeed. However, she cautioned against solely investing in major productions without diversifying portfolios, which could help alleviate the cycle of layoffs and project cancellations that many developers currently face. Despite some successful launches, including major developments at companies like Microsoft, the gaming industry continues to experience turbulence.
Juinio Says
While AAA games are not becoming obsolete, the industry faces a future with substantial investments—GTA 6 reportedly has a budget of $1 billion—leading to questions about where the industry goes from here. However, the landscape remains vibrant with indie success stories, illustrating the need for diversification to sustain growth in gaming.
