Explaining My Distaste For AAA Games
By Xander Townsend | Misfit Media Editor
(Includes Graphic Content)
I am one of the first people to express appreciation for those who built the games industry into the massive conglomerate it is today. That being said, there are many issues I have with the industries complete obsession with AAA (triple A) titles and the underappreciation of the indie games space.
AAA games are developed for millions of dollars, with titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V being made for 265 to 540 million USD. Not only do these games display massive projects, but graphically and creatively speaking they disappointingly only attempt (key word is attempt) realistic graphics. Why? Because they think that’s the only visual scale that can be considered 'impressive'. Not only that, but AAA titles are mechanically repetitive, massive in size but lack substance, and are the focus titles for an entire industry that deserves more variation and originality.
I will be discussing more on the mechanical and creative problems within the AAA games industry over on the Misfit Media Subscription, but for the moment I would like to focus on the problems in AAA games caused by hype and over scope (something that is very rarely seen in indie titles).
A perfect example that showcases pretty much every qualm I have with AAA games, but specifically over scope and overhype, can be exhibited by the Cyberpunk 2077 release in 2020. Developed by CD Projekt Red, Cyberpunk 2077 was first teased in 2013 with an animated short trailer (shown below). That means this game had a development lifespan of almost 8 years, with a budget of over 316 million USD making it one of the most expensive development projects of all time.
The games release date was changed over 5 times, initially said to release in April of 2020 but being pushed back extensively to a final release on the 10th of December of 2020. Why you might ask? It wasn't finished. They made promises they knew they couldn't keep. It was one of the most overhyped titles in existence, causing outrage at its constant release changes and push-backs. Not only was the release date changing every 5 minutes, but once it finally did release it showcased an amalgamation of bugs and mechanical problems causing the game to be unplayable for many.
Developers make a commitment when they announce a release, a commitment to make in the very least, a playable fully developed game. CD Projekt Red violated every promise they made to their fanbase and customers when they released Cyberpunk 2077 with many laughable attempts at an apology. After 8 years the game lacked depth, originality, and executed a story that deserved better. Its attempt at innovation was met with an inability to even meet basic AI and behavioural standards established from games released up to 8 years ago.
Out of the Cyberpunk 2077 fiasco emerged at least one good display of entertainment, Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) and GTA V (2013) comparison videos. These videos showcased the laughable attempt CD Projekt Red made to build world AI and made it clear they really had no excuse.
Every day I am beyond thankful that I get to build video games for a living, many could see it as the best job in the world. With a clear focus on financial gain, a lack of creative intelligence, and absolutely no concept of innovation, It is disappointing that the AAA industry continues to forget why many of us decided to make games in the first place.