VGW's Brian Shea: "These developers took what was thought to be the limits of game development and pushed them forward in ways nobody else had done before. Check out who we picked as a staff to make our list of the top 10 developers of this generation and let us know who you would have picked."
The latest game in BioWare’s fantasy role-playing series went through ten years of development turmoil
In early November, on the eve of the crucial holiday shopping season, staffers at the video-game studio BioWare were feeling optimistic. After an excruciating development cycle, they had finally released their latest game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and the early reception was largely positive. The role-playing game was topping sales charts on Steam, and solid, if not spectacular, reviews were rolling in.
Its easy they called the die hard fans people in their nerd caves who will buy anything and then went woke to reach modern audiences....insulting the nerds in their caves along the way showing utter contempt for their fan base. very hapy it failed and any company who insults their fan base and treat their customers with contempt and insults, in future, i also hope fail.
It’s disappointing but not surprising to see what's happening with Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the broader situation at BioWare. The layoffs are tragic — no one wants to see talented developers lose their jobs. But when studios repeatedly create games that alienate their own fanbase, outcomes like this become unfortunately predictable.
There’s a pattern we’re seeing far too often: beloved franchises are revived, only to be reshaped into something almost unrecognizable. Changes are made that no one asked for, often at the expense of what originally made these games special. Then, when long-time fans express concern or lose interest, they’re told, “This game might not be for you.” But when those same fans heed that advice and don’t buy the game, suddenly they're labeled as toxic, sexist, bigoted, or worse.
Let’s be clear: the overwhelming majority of gamers have no issue with diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, or strong female leads. In fact, some of the most iconic characters in gaming — like Aloy, Ellie, or FemShep — are proof that inclusivity and excellent storytelling can and do go hand in hand. The issue arises when diversity feels performative, forced, or disconnected from the narrative — when characters or themes are inserted not to serve the story, but to satisfy a corporate DEI checklist. Audiences can tell the difference.
When studios chase approval from a vocal minority that often doesn’t even buy games — while simultaneously dismissing loyal fans who actually do — they risk not just the success of individual titles, but the health of their entire studio. Telling your core customers “don’t buy it if you don’t like it” is not a viable business strategy. Because guess what? Many of us won’t. And when the game fails commercially, blaming those very fans for not supporting it is both unfair and self-defeating.
Gamers aren’t asking for less diversity or less progress. We’re asking for better writing, thoughtful character development, and a respect for the franchises we’ve supported for decades. When you give people great games that speak to them — whether they’re old fans or new players — they will show up. But if you keep making games for people who don’t play them, don’t be surprised when those who do stop showing up
I thought the writing and character development were fine. Sometimes things just dont resonate with people.
Neil Druckmann, the creative director of The Last of Us, is working on a new, unannounced game at Naughty Dog.
I know they've expertise in third person games.
But given the lack there of in PS catalog, I'd want the other project to be a narrative first person ND game.
Look, there are lots of 3rd person Sony games in variety of flavors. And ND is already doing intergalactic. And since they're pretty expert at gameplay and tech wise in whatever they do, they can easily venture a new genre and ship a first person game/shooter.
So, judging from the dislikes, hardcore Sony fans here don't like first person games, anymore?
I don't really have a big opinion on first vs third person perspective. That's one of the least important things to me when rating how much I like a game
I actually hate 1st person. very hard to associate with a character you only see their hands most of the time.
funny thing is with failures like Concord and soon to be Marathon, Factions could have been Sony's guaranteed huge success with a shooter! I don't ever play online shooters anymore, but I would have come out of shooter retirement for a new Factions game.
{ coming from the above thread }
So PS Fellas hate first person games now? (Understandable)
But praise Killzone and Resistance series, as well?
And hope for a return of first party first person games? ~ but from where? insomniac is deep in marvel territory, guerilla is deep in aloy territory ... suckerP are not as big to undertake that change + dedicated to Ghost series
The only options are ND and Santa Monica, who are rumoured to be involved in parallel projects. ~ so take your pick.
And the other 'new' studios at Sony are not that hot right now with knee deep in live service fiasco
It’d be cool if they bought the Parappa licence and made Parappa 3 that’d be the real good timeline
Wait I thought they cancelled a game? Or did they announce another project?
https://wccftech.com/naught...
I’m assuming it’s the unannounced game in the title you posted.
“Naughty Dog Reportedly Canceled a Single Player Game This Year, But Another Unannounced Game Is Still in the Works“
Devs cancel games all the time early stages if it doesn’t turn out the way they envisioned it. We just don’t hear about every one of them.
Yeah only a narcissist like Druckmann would announce a game this early that has a 99% chance of being cancelled.
Some speculate it could be Uncharted spin off. It's already 3 years in production so yeah 2028 maybe 2027 at the absolute earliest but most likely 28 release.
Also to add. kojimas next game that's not OD is said to be 5 to 6 years out for PS. That metal gear inspired game. These games are just too far off it seems.
'We have several directors on Intergalactic. I work with two game directors: Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau, [and] I have a co-writer in Clair Carré.'
Damage has been done but it's not too late yet if they dump him now. Probably won't happen though. It's sad, honestly. We'll see what happens after Intergalactic. That game is going to have a huge impact one way or another.
Yes because they didn’t make some of the greatest games. Right, we all just agree to live in your fantasy from now on.
yall say that about ever developer and then they end up becoming more successful lol
Downfall? If anything he is a huge reason they are on the map! A few apes don't like the material hasn't stopped his games from being massive hits.
I have grievances with Druckmann, but he does deserve some benefit of the doubt. He's been in crucial roles at the company through all of their successes.
Maybe wait and see?
Former Naughty Dog dev says Resident Evil 4 inspired Unchartted and even Gears of War, particularly the over-the-shoulder camera view.
It revolutionized third-person shooters, in a genius way that gives you full control of aiming.
No, I mean RE4. Like the whole snap to over-shoulder and precision aiming was what I meant.
I won’t deny Winback does pave the way in some respect. But it’s not the same at all.
I thought this was common knowledge. Resident Evil Revolutionised over the shoulder aiming in 3rd person shooters/action games
Influenced basically every third person action game made after it, GTA uses the over the shoulder perspective when shooting since the 4th installment, Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2 too and the Batman Arkham series has the over the shoulder perspective as the main camera throughout the whole game series.
Obviously there are a ton more examples but you get the point 🗿.
1. BioWare??? srs? really? The one everyone hated on for the ending of ME3? Over Naughty Dog whom you didn't even put 2nd? Who will win yet their 2nd Game of the Year with The Last of Us?
Heck, I would have put Konami over BioWare and Konami didn't even make the list, lol... MGS/MGS4 is elite status which influenced every other game it's type. With Silent Hill, Castlevania.
Awful list, Get rid of Harmonix Music Systems for a start
Bioware should be number 10, Ubisoft should be Number 9, Rockstar at Number 2 with Valve at Number 3 and NaughtyDog should be number 1 in my opinion.
After how much Bioware screwed up one of the best new IP's of this gen....I don't think so. Mass Effect 2 was a fantastic game but it went against what made the first one so unique, it put the third person shooter elements before the RPG goodness and introduced thermal clips which was just a bad idea to begin with. Then you have Mass Effect 3 which ended up like a massive action game...as for the ending, well thats another story completely
I'd think the developer of the Super Mario Galaxy games should get a mention...
Funny thing is, all of the games mentioned for Bioware, they messed up one way or another. Especially SWTOR, which was more of a SP game than an MMO.
I know everyone has opinions, but ugh, this leaves a bad taste.