Former PlayStation Head: Industry Should Focus on Creating Engaging Games, Not Monetization
The former head of PlayStation criticized the industry for losing focus on the fun of games. He noted that during development, the main focus is now on monetization and player engagement, rather than the quality of the gameplay.
When I get pitched, the first thing I hear is monetization strategies, market reach, and incentives. Sometimes I stop people and ask, "Wait, where's the fun part?"
Layden emphasized that while economics are important for business, creativity and offering something great are equally important. He is disappointed that the industry is forgetting about the real pleasure of the game.
According to Layden, studios should return to creating games with a duration of 20-25 hours, instead of developing projects for 80-100 hours for maximum engagement. This will reduce budgets, which now exceed hundreds of millions of dollars.
Games like Expedition 33 and Hollow Knight: Silksong have proven that you can succeed by focusing on creativity and fun, rather than monetization and additional mechanics.
