Shawn Layden, former executive at PlayStation, has expressed concerns over the current state of the gaming industry, warning of a “collapse of creativity” due to the heavy reliance on blockbuster titles. Speaking at Gamescom Asia alongside Gordon Van Dyke, co-founder and chief publishing officer of Raw Fury, Layden highlighted the disappearance of AA studios and the increasing focus on monetisation in game development.
According to Layden, the rising costs of producing AAA games, which now often exceed hundreds of millions of dollars, have led to a reduction in risk tolerance across the industry. As a result, studios are more inclined to produce sequels or imitate successful titles, such as Fortnite, rather than invest in original and creative projects. He attributed this trend to financial pressures, stating that “studio consolidation and the high cost of production” are diminishing opportunities for innovation.
Layden also lamented the disappearance of AA studios, which he believes play a vital role in the gaming ecosystem by introducing new, creative ideas. He emphasized that while modern tools have significantly improved the quality of games, including indie titles, the industry still lacks support for smaller, more innovative projects. According to Layden, these types of games should be prioritized over monetisation strategies, which have become a dominant force in game pitches.
“If you’re going to pitch me your AA game, and the first two pages of your deck are about monetisation and revenue schemes, I’m out,” Layden stated. “Your first page has to be ‘This game needs to be made and here’s why.'”
In his remarks, Layden further criticized the industry’s current fascination with artificial intelligence (AI) in game development. While acknowledging AI’s longstanding presence in gaming, he dismissed the idea that it could serve as a transformative force in the creative process. Layden described AI as merely another tool, comparing it to the utility of spreadsheet software like Excel, and emphasized that it should not be viewed as a “saviour” for the industry.
Layden’s comments reflect growing concerns about the future of creativity in gaming, as studios increasingly prioritize large-scale blockbusters and revenue-focused models over fresh and innovative experiences including PlayStation Studios. As he suggests, fostering creativity and supporting diverse, lower-budget projects may be the key to revitalizing the industry’s ecosystem and ensuring its continued growth.
