Now that our coverage of PAX 2024 has wrapped up, I find myself reflecting on the experiences I had both at East and West. I played some about-to-be best sellers and some absolute clunkers. I met with devs who told emotional stories about the passing of grandparents who inspired them to program games; with first timers who spent years getting their games to market; and industry veterans who grieved the changes in the industry. But the consistent quality across these varied experiences was a burning passion for games.
In a year filled with more industry layoffs, shocking flops, and greed-fueled studio closings, it was refreshing to be around folks who genuinely care about gaming, about creating incredible experiences and works of art.
Many have speculated on the instability of the industry at this time. Will the greed of major companies acquiring and collapsing smaller studios, combined with the obsession for live-service games and micro-transactions ruin the industry? I genuinely don’t know. There’s certainly a souring by some within the space.
But as major studios layoff workers or collapse altogether, something beautiful is happening. These industry veterans are joining the indie scene as AA developers. When this is combined with the passion and creativity of first-time developers, it’s creating a bedrock of stability that I believe will persist regardless of the turbulence happening at the high altitudes of AAA publishing.
And that gives me hope.
Tell us what you think! Do you own indie games that fill you with passion? Share your reactions in the comments below or join the conversation in Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, and Twitter.
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