Major Publishers Urged to Diversify Beyond Triple-A Games

Former co-head of Santa Monica Studio, Meghan Morgan Juinio, has called on major game publishers to broaden their horizons by investing in a more diverse range of game titles. Speaking at Gamescom Asia, Juinio emphasized the importance of financing double-A, single-A, and indie games to better meet the diverse needs of players. This statement comes in the wake of rising industry challenges, including layoffs, project cancellations, and studio closures that have become increasingly common.

Juinio, who left Santa Monica Studio in June 2023 after over a decade with the company, pointed out that the trend of heavily investing in high-budget triple-A titles is unsustainable. She stated that major players in the industry must reassess their strategies in light of current economic realities. “I think there’s an opportunity right now for all of us, at any level, to really look at the strategic long-term view—and that might be five or ten years—to course correct because of the ‘seize the moment’ type decisions that came out of the pandemic,” she noted.

While she supports continued investment in blockbuster franchises like Call of Duty and God of War, Juinio believes that substantial resources should also be allocated to smaller titles. This shift could help stabilize the industry and foster innovation. “I do also think there is an opportunity for those big players to also look to diversify into double-A and single-A, and then perhaps indie as well,” she explained.

Innovation Over Budget

Juinio highlighted recent successful titles such as Astro Bot and Split Fiction, which demonstrate a consumer appetite for games that can thrive without the constraints of massive budgets and extended development cycles. For example, Astro Bot was completed in approximately three-and-a-half years, showcasing that creativity can often outweigh financial investment in producing engaging content.

“Gamers right now are a little bit desensitized to beautiful graphics and size and scale and scope,” she said. “If a game isn’t fun, it doesn’t matter how pretty it is. If a game isn’t engaging or delivering some hook, then it’s not going to connect with players.”

Juinio’s perspective suggests that the industry must adapt to current player preferences, which increasingly favor innovative gameplay over visual fidelity alone.

Hope Amid Challenges

Despite the ongoing challenges facing the gaming industry, Juinio remains optimistic about its future. She believes that developers and creators will not allow the current economic downturn to define their work or the industry’s trajectory. “I am an eternal glass-half-full type thinker,” she remarked, acknowledging the distressing wave of layoffs and controversial investments, particularly from entities like the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund.

She expressed confidence that the industry’s intrinsic creativity and innovative spirit will prevail. “I think the very nature of who we are, as developers and creators, won’t allow it to stay doom and gloom,” Juinio asserted. She does not foresee a return to the gaming landscape of five years ago but rather anticipates a new evolution driven by creativity and a demand for high-quality games.

As the gaming world continues to navigate its challenges, Juinio’s insights serve as a reminder of the need for diversity and innovation in game development. The industry may be at a crossroads, but the potential for growth and change remains strong.