Sellers explained to developers that players didn't need such games.
Recently, Josh Sawyer, the creator of Icewind Dale, Pillars of Eternity, and Fallout: New Vegas, spoke at the GCAP 2025 conference.
He explained the reason for the disappearance of classic cRPGs in the 2000s — this was influenced by retailers who stated that there was no demand for such projects:
«We stopped making games on the Infinity Engine because retailers told us that no one wanted to buy them.
We asked if we could see the research results, and they basically told us to take their word for it».
At that time, retail chains could dictate terms: sales platforms were limited and goods were carefully selected to maximize profits.
However, the situation changed with the development of digital distribution. Stores like Steam allow developers to place a project where potential buyers can notice it.
