Former PlayStation Exec Believes “Something Must Be Done” About Ballooning Game Budgets

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As a dedicated admirer, I must say that since his departure from Sony earlier this year, the eloquent Shuhei Yoshida has been quite vocal in expressing his insights about the gaming industry. In a recent chat on the Kit & Krysta YouTube channel, which is helmed by ex-PR department members of Nintendo of America, he discussed the escalating costs associated with game development and its impact on the number of game releases we see.

Yoshida, while conversing with Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, mentioned that during the PS4 console era, developing big-budget games was considered a safer choice. In contrast to earlier times, Sony was gradually reducing the number of small, experimental titles such as Patapon they were releasing. Instead, their focus shifted towards creating large-scale, narrative single-player games like God of War.

Yoshida mentioned that it might seem contradictory, but investing a substantial amount of money could potentially enhance the chances of success for larger games. This is because with more funds, they can create games with improved visuals, captivating graphics, and realistic characters, as well as extend the gameplay hours.

A significant disadvantage of this approach is that an increasing number of games are not approved for release because funds are typically allocated towards larger sequels or high-profile titles instead. Additionally, he highlighted the fact that game production costs have escalated significantly over time. For instance, games produced during the PS4 and PS5 generations tend to be much more expensive compared to their predecessors in earlier console generations.

Yoshida stated that he had noticed an analysis or estimate showing a doubling of budget for one franchise during the PS4 and PS5 eras. He mentioned this investment was so significant that it became challenging to recoup. Consequently, he suggested that this generation, specifically the PS5 era, is the first time the industry has collectively recognized the need for something different or innovative.

Previously, Yoshida has shared his opinions on the worth games can provide, using “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” as an illustration of a game that effectively combined its price, manufacturing expenses, and the value it provided to gamers in terms of balance.

Yoshida stated that it’s crucial to strike a balance between production costs and game prices. Using GTA 6 as an example, he noted that even with smaller teams, like the one behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stunning games can still be created without breaking the bank. This approach, Yoshida believes, allows for high-quality games to be produced efficiently.

After leaving Sony, Yoshida has also shared thoughts on various aspects of contemporary game development. For instance, he discussed the hurdles that FromSoftware faced with the creation of The Duskbloods, as well as stories from his past, such as his initial reaction to an early prototype of the original Gran Turismo. Back then, he found it unenjoyable because it was deemed too advanced for him.

Yoshida mentioned that he had the opportunity to try out a preliminary version of “Ghosts of Yōtei”, expressing that playing it was consistently enjoyable for him.

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2025-07-08 21:15