© NintendoIt is not surprising that we are in a point of reflection, as we spent a year of our lives in a state of upheaval and drastic change from how it was before. Our daily routines have probably not been “normal” for some time, in fact, but a consistent part of our lives of anyone reading this has remained with us – games.
This is not a new topic; we talked to the developers about the impact of COVID-19 on their teams and we looked at the incredible cultural impact Animal Crossing: New Horizons because it collided with an unprecedented point in recent human history, among other topics. And in terms of business, the video game industry has seen increases in interest rates and indeed profits; games have never been more mainstream. In fact, we are at the point where discussions about his role in entertainment and culture are useless; it is now long established.
So how did the game last the most challenging year in living memory – at least for many of us – and not only survive, but develop? First, it was uniquely placed alongside streaming TV services.
So how did the game last the most challenging year in living memory – at least for many of us – and not only survive, but develop? First, it was uniquely placed alongside streaming TV services. We’re stuck at home for long periods of time, and when we’re looking for entertainment, we’ll head to the TV or similar device. So far, so obvious.
Hardware sales have risen, of course, and at the beginning of all Nintendo Switch was the latest console to launch and a perfect fit for the times; demand often exceeded supply. Unsatisfactory demand for the PS5 and Xbox Series X / S was – at least in part – driven by this, but of course, Sony and Microsoft ran into serious production and material issues. Nintendo has fallen into a good place, not only because Animal Crossing has taken off, but also by having well-established manufacturing pipelines and supply chains; a blow was last spring, with the closure of factories, but from the end of summer 2020 onwards Nintendo was able to catch up and make hay.
However, for the Triple-A parts of the software business, this was actually a mixed period. On the one hand, massive titles that made get out the door, usually deliver notable sales due to our appetite for new games; launches as Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla did very well, but as many big games had bug issues (ahem, 2077. Cyberpunk).
© NintendoIt seems that Nintendo has had a mixed time in terms of quality and depth of releases, even if its accountants will not care. Paper Mario: The King of Origami it was nice, but the series is not the most prestigious of the company (although the Switch input was the best-selling for IP).
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity it definitely received the blood pump for Zelda and BoTW fans and is an excellent title that still pushes the hardware to its limits; Korok Forest level is painful, but it doesn’t matter. In the past, it wasn’t much new as such, but he capitalized on Mario’s nostalgia and birthday; even the most ardent fans should admit that Super Mario 3D All-Stars the collection was dimly lit as a holiday product. Bowser’s anger, as a new game in its Super Mario 3D World package, was innovative and fun, but even that, without a doubt, aspects of the usual Nintendo Nintendo were missing; this is not necessarily a harsh critique of the spin-off, as Nintendo is setting itself so high with the franchise, but a reality of the disrupted development process.
It was often smaller headlines that surprised the blocking god. Players of all kinds wanted to feel logged in with family and friends, and games have become a way to go about achieving this.
For smaller developers, there will be logistical challenges, of course, and we will talk another time about some aspects of last year that will affect that area. However, in terms of game production, many of these small teams have probably already worked remotely (the “middle” Indians will be harder to find), at least to some extent, with staff spread throughout the country. world. It wouldn’t have been easy – far from it – but the agility and flexibility of the smaller studios served them well.
This has made 2020 an amazing year for the best indie games to take off into the mainstream, as more complicated triple-A projects have struggled to make progress and have often been late – “now comes 2022” is a line familiar with major titles targeting this year as well, so these issues are ongoing.
Surprisingly, it was often a simple concept, easy-to-play titles with a multiplayer focus, that captured the lock zeitgeist. Players of all kinds wanted to feel logged in with family and friends, and games have become a way to go about achieving this. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout It certainly took this into account, with the smart decision to include it in the PlayStation Plus, greatly improving its exposure, along with significant PC sales. It is often overlooked that Devolver Digital publishes this game, so it was not a lucky indie release, but the publisher’s clever agreement with Sony was vital. It’s also easy to play and enjoy, which has been a trend of viral hits in the last year. We’re interested to see what happens to switch owners when they arrive on their console later this year.
© InnerslothThen, of course, there is Among us, which is without a doubt the biggest story, as it was really the work of a small team without major supporters. When you look at the simultaneous Steam charts, it’s fascinating, because this is a game that ticked along with a small but loyal user base for a while before exploding in life last year, thanks to its powerful design and the influence of influencers. strong who fell in love with her. His story is one of exponential growth until the summer and fall of 2020 after that big break, and is now an important part of the current Indie gaming scene. Again, he caught the need to play with others and connect, doing so in a fun way. Valheim is the current viral hit on the PC, so this trend will no doubt continue for a while longer.
The trends of the crazy last year are fascinating, but the ultimate goal of this little piece is to give a tip of thanks to developers and publishers of all sizes, from triple A to the smallest Indie, which has delivered so many great games over last year. Every challenge we have all experienced – and it will vary for each individual – will be the same for these game creators. The reflection on the quality and depth of the games of the last year seems even more surprising considering this.
Most importantly, the games need to show a wider audience what many of us have known for decades. Video games matter, the experiences they give us matter. Whether it’s connecting headphones and launching a solo adventure, or connecting with others for multiplayer features, the games offer a unique degree of immersion and entertainment. On average, it has amazing power and has shone in the last year.