Gaming Industry at Crossroads: Former God of War Exec Advocates for Return to Fun-First Development Philosophy

The Blockbuster Gaming Conundrum

The video game industry stands at a critical juncture, with former Santa Monica Studios director of product development Meghan Morgan Juinio advocating for a fundamental shift in development philosophy. Having worked extensively on the God of War series, Juinio brings insider perspective to the growing concern that major publishers have prioritized spectacle over substance. “If it’s not fun, it’s not worth the investment,” she asserts, highlighting what many industry observers see as a widening gap between production budgets and genuine player enjoyment.

Industry Turbulence and Changing Landscape

The Western games development sector faces unprecedented challenges, with over 45,000 jobs eliminated since the post-COVID market correction began in 2022. This contraction reflects deeper structural issues: development costs have skyrocketed while player expectations and market dynamics have shifted dramatically. Major publishers including EA, Activision, and Ubisoft find themselves grappling with business models that may no longer be sustainable in their current form.

Meanwhile, smaller development teams have demonstrated remarkable success with titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Peak, achieving viral popularity and critical acclaim with fractions of the budgets allocated to AAA blockbusters. These successes highlight an emerging reality: production scale no longer guarantees commercial or critical success in today’s gaming ecosystem.

The Sustainability Question

Juinio doesn’t mince words about the current state of blockbuster game development. “I think it’s already not really sustainable in terms of the cost of development,” she states, pointing to the concentration of layoffs on the US West Coast where development costs are particularly high. This economic pressure, she argues, will inevitably force major publishers to explore alternative development pathways.

“Does it mean a game like God of War is going away? I don’t think so,” Juinio clarifies. “But I think you’ll start to see some avenues for the AA or single A from the larger publishers as well. Because it’s not a sustainable model to continue like we are.” This suggests a future where major studios might diversify their portfolios with mid-tier productions alongside their flagship titles., according to related coverage

The Core Principle: Fun First

At the heart of Juinio’s argument lies a simple but powerful principle: enjoyment must precede everything else. “My opinion is that it has to be fun first,” she emphasizes. “It can look the most beautiful, the best soundtrack in the world, it can be winning all the BAFTAs for audio and all this, but if it’s not fun it’s not worth the investment.”, as additional insights, according to recent studies

This philosophy represents a potential return to gaming’s fundamental appeal—the pure joy of interaction and engagement. Juinio suggests that publishers could rediscover their footing by focusing on creating “solid games that are really fun to play,” even if that means shorter experiences or less technologically ambitious projects., according to technology trends

Market Realities and Player Access

Juinio acknowledges the practical challenges facing today’s game developers, particularly regarding distribution and visibility. With approximately half of America’s 205.1 million gamers being 35 or older—an demographic with numerous competing time commitments—simply getting games in front of potential players has become increasingly difficult.

Despite these market challenges, she maintains that quality of experience should remain the primary focus. The success of lo-fi cooperative games like R.E.P.O. versus the struggles of more established franchises attempting new formats demonstrates that player engagement often defies conventional industry wisdom about production values and marketing budgets.

The Path Forward

The industry’s future may lie in a more nuanced approach to game development—one that balances ambition with practicality and remembers that technological achievement should serve rather than overshadow player enjoyment. As development costs continue to rise and player preferences evolve, the publishers who thrive may be those who can rediscover the art of creating genuinely engaging experiences without necessarily relying on blockbuster budgets.

Juinio’s perspective offers both warning and opportunity: the current model shows signs of strain, but a return to fundamental principles of game design could open new creative and commercial possibilities. The question remains whether major publishers retain the institutional capacity and willingness to embrace this shift toward more focused, enjoyment-driven development.

As the industry navigates these challenges, developers and publishers alike might benefit from reviewing their terms and conditions and privacy policies to ensure they’re positioned to adapt to the evolving landscape while maintaining player trust and regulatory compliance.

References & Further Reading

This article draws from multiple authoritative sources. For more information, please consult:

• https://futureplc.com/terms-conditions/
• https://futureplc.com/privacy-policy/

This article aggregates information from publicly available sources. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners.

Note: Featured image is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent any specific product, service, or entity mentioned in this article.