Why Are Games Taking So Long To Develop? - Luke Reacts

Summary

In this video, Ryan Manley explores the reasons behind the increased development time and costs of modern video games compared to the early 2000s. He discusses factors like inflation, higher quality standards, and the evolution of technology. Manley also touches on the inefficiencies of large game studios, suggesting that streamlined teams and agile methodologies could improve the process. He uses examples like Fallout New Vegas and The Witcher 3 to illustrate the contrast in production values and the impact on game budgets.

Takeaways

• 💵 Inflation and increased cost of living have led to higher game development budgets to compensate staff, even though their real purchasing power may not have increased.
• 🚀 Modern games like The Witcher 3 and Mass Effect Andromeda cost tens of millions to produce, reflecting the higher standards and expectations in the industry.
• 🏗️ The complexity and quality of game assets have increased significantly, requiring larger teams and more specialized skills, thus extending development times.
• 📏 Games from the early 2000s, such as Fallout New Vegas, had simpler landscapes and assets, allowing quicker development compared to today's standards.
• 🔍 Players in the past were more tolerant of lower quality textures and assets, whereas modern gamers expect high-fidelity graphics and details.
• 💸 The gaming audience is still willing to pay full price for games, even if they have a smaller scope, as long as the quality is high.
• 📈 The rise in technology has led to higher quality standards across all aspects of game development, including animation and voice acting.
• 👨‍💼 Corporate bloat in larger studios can lead to inefficiencies and delays, with teams being too large and processes becoming overly bureaucratic.
• 🔄 The traditional pipeline with multiple handoffs between specialized teams can cause delays and require repeated revisions, impacting the final product.
• 🔧 Agile methodologies and cross-functional teams can lead to more efficient development processes, reducing the time and resources needed for game production.

Q & A

Why do games take longer to make now compared to the early 2000s?

Games take longer to make now due to increased quality standards, larger development teams, higher costs of production, and inflationary pressures.

What is an example of a game that was produced quickly in the past?

Fallout New Vegas is an example of a game that was produced quickly, with a development timeline of 18 months.

How has the level of detail in game environments changed from 2010 to now?

The level of detail in game environments has significantly increased, with modern games requiring more complex architecture, textures, and assets compared to the simpler designs of 2010.

What is one reason why games could be made quickly in the past?

Games could be made quickly in the past because they used simpler architecture, smaller maps, and lower quality assets that were easier and faster to produce.

What is the impact of inflation on game development costs?

Inflation has increased the cost of production, meaning that games like The Witcher 3, which cost $80 million to make, would likely cost $200 to $300 million to produce with today's standards.

How has the size of development teams changed over time?

Development teams have grown significantly larger to accommodate the increased quality and complexity of modern games.

What is the role of corporate bloat in the game development process?

Corporate bloat can lead to inefficiencies and delays in the development process due to large teams and multiple layers of approval.

How does the approach of CD Projekt Red differ from traditional corporate structures?

CD Projekt Red uses a more agile approach by having cross-functional teams with representatives from each discipline, which allows for faster and more efficient development.

What is the consequence of sending games to market before they are fully polished?

Sending games to market before they are fully polished can result in bugs, glitches, and broken features that may not be fixed if the development timeline is tight.

Why might some games still have bugs and issues despite having a large development team?

Even with a large team, the complexity of modern games and the inefficiencies of the development pipeline can lead to bugs and issues that are not caught before release.

How does the expectation for quality in games today differ from that of the past?

The expectation for quality in games today is much higher, with demands for high-quality assets, animations, voice acting, and motion capture that were not as prevalent or sophisticated in the past.