2023 was one of the best years for gaming ever – so what does that mean for 2024?
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Development of modern video games is on something of a challenging trajectory right now, where the expense and experience required to see a AAA title through production is continually compounding. This means that while it’s largely true thatBaldur’s Gate 3will shape the future of the RPG – pushing developers to invest in denser, more reactive and cinematic play spaces – it’s probably going to take between three and five years before we see the first waves of titles inspired by Larian’s award-winning approach to game design, if notwaylonger.
Exploring the state of play
Interestingly, both theXbox Game StudiosandPlayStation Studiosportfolios have scores of first-party games in development right now, although precious few have speculative release windows, let alone firm dates. Given the perpetual challenges developers are facing with leaks and illegal hacks – Rockstar andInsomniacbeing the most high profile victims in recent months – I’d like to think that publishers may take matters into their own hands and push for greater transparency. While this approach has its own problems, I would love to see studios given the freedom to be more vocal about development timelines, and more forthcoming with progress throughout the entire production pipeline.
Because while it’s certainly great that Xbox was able to reveal games likePerfect DarkandState of Decay 3on its own terms, for example, all we’ve had to go on for almost four years are single cinematic trailers and the occasional press statement – Ninja Theory has been pretty forthcoming throughout the development ofSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, and this could act as a model for others within theXbox Game Studiosnetwork. Similarly, I’d love for PlayStation Studios teams to be given more freedom to talk to the public, particularly afterthe cancellation of The Last of Us Online after years of pre-production– what this means forSony’s wide investment towards live service remains to be seen, inviting wide (and often unhelpful) speculation. What we need now more than ever is a clear sense of what’s coming, and a better sense of the intent behind company directions and initiatives.
That’s especially true as the platform holders begin to introduce new hardware permeations.Sonyrecently released thePS5 Slimin selected territories, an economic revision that doesn’t exactly rewrite the rulebook. Microsoft is reportedly preparing to release an all-digitalXbox Series X refreshwith a new design, features, and controller. We aren’t likely to see anything as drastic as the PS4 Pro or Xbox One X this time around, and if the big two aren’t going to be expending energy trying to convince core players to recycle through hardware models, they need to do a better job at showcasing what’s on the horizon – really getting players locked into theXbox Game Pass Coreand PlayStation Plus ecosystems.
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And then there’s Nintnedo. Always one to play by its own rules, the Switch is now staring down the barrel of a potentially challenging 12 months after what was arguably the strongest year in the console’s lifecycle. Outside of the truly delightful Princess Peach: Showtime, the publisher has positioned a mass of long-awaited remakes and remasters – the returns of Mario Vs. Donkey Kong, Luigi’s Mansion 2, and Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door. The death knell for the Nintendo Switch is ringing, and it’s likely that the successor to the system is on the near horizon – ideally, with the long-awaitedMetroid Prime 4.
Josh West is the Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar+. He has over 15 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+’s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you’ve definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.
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