Former God of War Executive Warns Blockbuster Game Development Is Unsustainable, Advocates for “Fun First” Approach

Blockbuster Game Development Reaching Breaking Point

Former God of War executive Meghan Morgan Juinio has declared that the current model for blockbuster video game development is “not really sustainable” due to skyrocketing costs, according to reports from PC Gamer. The industry veteran, who recently left her position as director of product development at Sony’s Santa Monica Studios, made the comments during an interview at Gamescom Asia, emphasizing that games need to be “fun first” rather than focusing on massive budgets and visual spectacle.

Blockbuster Game Development Reaching Breaking Point
Development Costs Driving Industry Layoffs
Return to Fun-Focused Game Design
Smaller Games Making Big Impact
Industry Evolution Toward Sustainable Models

Development Costs Driving Industry Layoffs

Sources indicate that the unsustainable cost structure of AAA game development has contributed significantly to recent industry turmoil. “I think it’s already not really sustainable in terms of the cost of development,” Juinio stated. Analysts suggest her comments reference the widespread layoffs across the gaming industry, particularly affecting studios on the West Coast of the United States where development costs are highest.

The report states that minimum costs for blockbuster titles have reached critical levels, forcing major publishers to reconsider their strategies. Development expenses will reportedly necessitate that large publishers create new pathways and business models beyond the traditional AAA approach.

Return to Fun-Focused Game Design

According to Juinio, the solution lies in returning to fundamental game design principles. “My opinion is that it has to be fun first,” she emphasized. “It can look the most beautiful, the best soundtrack in the world, it can be winning all the BAFTAs for audio and all this, but if it’s not fun it’s not worth the investment, whether that’s $2m or $500m.”

Industry observers suggest this philosophy represents a significant shift from the current emphasis on graphical fidelity and scale. Juinio believes publishers should focus on building “solid games that are really fun to play” rather than prioritizing length or technical innovation alone.

Smaller Games Making Big Impact

Sources indicate that recent successful titles from smaller teams demonstrate the viability of alternative development approaches. Games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Peak have reportedly proven that smaller-budget projects can achieve significant impact without blockbuster resources.

For Sony specifically, Astro Bot serves as a key example of critical and commercial success achieved through what analysts describe as “smart AA-sized ambition.” The game’s director Nicolas Doucet acknowledged during a talk at this year’s GDC that “it’s OK to make a small game,” emphasizing that the team’s AA approach in terms of team size and game scope didn’t prevent them from creating an experience that “gets people really happy.”

Industry Evolution Toward Sustainable Models

While blockbuster franchises like God of War aren’t disappearing, reports suggest larger publishers are increasingly looking to AA or single A games for inspiration and sustainable business models. The industry appears to be recognizing that blockbuster production values alone cannot guarantee success if the core gameplay experience isn’t compelling.

Juinio’s comments reflect growing concern within the industry about development sustainability, with many experts advocating for a rebalancing of priorities toward gameplay innovation and player enjoyment over purely technical achievements.