KUALA LUMPUR: In a recent GameSpot interview, former Sony Interactive Entertainment president Shuhei Yoshida said the future of video games lies in indie and smaller-scale projects rather than “generic” triple-A titles.
He noted that exceptions include works by Hideo Kojima and Hideki Miyazaki, creators behind Metal Gear and Death Stranding, as well as Dark Souls and Elden Ring, respectively.
These titles are driven by strong creative vision, supported by experienced teams. In contrast, many recent releases from major Western publishers such as PlayStation Studios, Electronic Arts, 2K Games, and Ubisoft have drawn criticism for lacking originality.
With rising development costs and increasingly similar game design, smaller studios – often led by former developers from major companies – are expected to gain ground and expand their presence in the gaming market.
Consumers, too, are becoming more discerning. Faced with the choice between a RM299 title on a high-end console or several lower-cost games on more accessible platforms, many are opting for value and variety.
If major publishers fail to adapt, they risk losing relevance in a rapidly evolving industry.
Short beats
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced will be released on July 9, led by Ubisoft Singapore.
Bangladesh-based gaming content creator Advance Gaming, Muzahid Millad, was killed in a car crash on the Maju Expressway.
Vampire Survivors creator Poncle is expanding operations with new studios in Italy and Japan, while working on more than 15 projects.
Koei Tecmo has projected a 50 per cent increase in profit for fiscal year 2026, driven by strong sales of titles such as Nioh 3 and Pokemon Pokopia.
Xbox has announced a global reduction in Game Pass pricing from US$29.99 to US$22.99.
Shigeru Miyamoto said he was surprised by the harsh reception to the Super Mario Galaxy movie.
A live-action Elden Ring film has entered production and is scheduled for release on March 3, 2028, starring Kit Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Tom Burke, Jonathan Pryce, and Nick Offerman.
Games out this week
Vampire Crawlers is a turn-based roguelite dungeon crawler from Poncle, offering card-based combat and fast-paced gameplay. It is available on PC.
Masters of Albion, a new god simulation game from 22cans and Peter Molyneux, allows players to shape and experience a living world. It is available on PC.
Tides of Tomorrow is an adventure game set in a plasticpunk world, coming to PC.
Kingdom’s Return: Time-Eating Fruit and the Ancient Monster is an action role-playing game from Inti Creates, combining strategy and town-building elements. It is available on PC and consoles