The gaming industry is tired of large-scale projects. Small games that save users time and provide them with equally exciting gameplay are coming to the fore. An example of this trend was Sony’s 3D platformer Astro Bot. It shows that modest projects can be just as successful as big blockbusters.
Image Source: Sony
Against the backdrop of high-profile failures with major releases (see the closure of the expensive shooter Concord just two weeks after release), the Astro Bot team consisted of only 60 people, but the project brings much more fun with much less ambition. The game offers intense gameplay without hyper-realistic graphics and a huge open world.
Each level in Astro Bot includes unique abilities, be it powerful spring fists or the ability to freeze time. However, one of the most memorable aspects is the ability to shrink to the size of a mouse, allowing you to explore the world from a new, unusual perspective. The game demonstrates that “less does not mean worse, but quite the opposite.”
According to the Financial Times, 2024 turned out to be a difficult year for the games industry – more than 10,000 employees lost their jobs, many studios closed, and projects were cancelled. This is a consequence of the fact that gaming companies often overestimate their capabilities, strive to create large-scale projects and hire more employees than required. In addition, improving graphics also requires more resources, which puts a strain on players’ devices. At the same time, noticeable changes in gameplay are becoming increasingly rare.
According to a Financial Times writer, huge worlds and realistic visuals don’t always make games more fun. An example would be the latest parts of Assassin’s Creed or Starfield. The latter was developed for eight years and provided players with a thousand planets, on which, however, there was nothing truly interesting.
Also, many gamers, growing up, are faced with a lack of time for long gaming sessions and are increasingly talking about their “Backlogs” – games that they bought but never got around to finishing. In this context, games that “respect your time” are becoming increasingly popular.
Fortunately, small projects offer a huge number of interesting opportunities for those who do not have much free time. Indie games have come to the fore in 2024, as the availability of development tools and distribution platforms allows independent creators to create unique projects and experiment with ideas that are rarely seen in larger projects. Some of these games include Balatro, a fun poker-themed game, and Animal Well, a psychedelic journey through a mysterious well.
As the winter holidays approach, blockbusters like new installments in the Call of Duty, Indiana Jones, and Dragon Age franchises will begin to hit the market. There will always be a place for big releases, but even big companies are starting to realize the value of modest-sized projects: just look at Dave the Diver (Nexon), Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (Ubisoft) and Tales of Kenzera: Zau (Electronic Arts).