Makes sense. The gigantic AAA games are so expensive to produce that they need all this ridiculous monetization for the returns to be worthwhile. That kind of spending (at least the kind that big publishers tend to dump on these games) lends itself to all the lucrative bullshit, like games as a service, and all sorts of paid content. The games may not be “highly acclaimed” but they seem to be making enough money that publishers keep chasing it.

I dont really thing a good game requires such big teams and huge budgets. But these publishers aren’t satisfied with simply making highly acclaimed games, or being profitable, they need millions in returns.

No no. You need at least 8 cocaine addled executives around you at all times, screaming at you, some reciting the company fiscal statement like tounge talkers praying away demons, and some just fucking each other over desks to assert dominance, which might spill over to the employee…

How else are you going to make an AAAA-game? Those micropayments aren’t going to implement themselves. Sheesh.