It’s evident that the Western gaming development landscape is facing challenges, with over 45,000 jobs lost since the pandemic’s peak in 2022. Companies are now searching for solutions to adapt to increasing costs and changing player interests. Smaller, viral successes from indie teams, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Peak, are making traditional billion-dollar publishers look outdated.

Meghan Morgan Juinio, a former executive at Santa Monica Studios, recently shared her insights at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Games Show. Known for her work on the God of War series, she believes that leading publishers like EA, Activision, and Ubisoft must embrace smaller-scale productions with reduced costs.

“I think personally we’re going to have to,” Juinio commented about the industry’s need for a shift in focus. She emphasized the urgency to return to developing genuinely enjoyable games—experiences that resonate positively with players.

Juinio adds that while blockbuster titles aren’t disappearing, the industry’s future may involve exploring more modest projects to remain sustainable. “Make something fun, simply put. If it’s not enjoyable, whether it costs two million or five hundred million dollars, it isn’t worth investing in.”

This perspective advocates for fun and engaging gameplay as a core principle, suggesting that the major game developers should rethink their approach to creating games.