Matthew Karch, head of Saber Interactive (creators of Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2), recently shared his perspective on the future of gaming, predicting the demise of the ultra-high-budget AAA model. He stated, "I think the era of $200, $300, $400 million AAA games is coming to an end. I don't think it's necessary. And I don't think it's appropriate...I think if anything has contributed to job losses more than anything else, it's a budget of a few hundred million dollars for games."
Karch's sentiment echoes a growing concern among developers. The "AAA" label, once synonymous with high quality and low risk, is now viewed by many as outdated and misleading. It's become associated with prioritizing profit over quality and innovation, leading to a competitive landscape that often sacrifices creativity.
Revolution Studios co-founder, Charles Cecil, reinforces this view, calling the term "silly and meaningless." He attributes the shift to the massive investments made by major publishers, arguing that this change has been detrimental to the industry. He cites Ubisoft's Skull and Bones, initially touted as a "AAAA" title, as a prime example of this trend. The excessive budget, in his opinion, hasn't translated into a commensurate improvement in quality.