The cost of game development has risen dramatically in the last generation. More than a decade ago, a typical triple-A game could be completed for less than $100 million, while it is not uncommon for modern titles to cost as much as $2-$250 million.
This leads to a higher level of risk, and failures like the recently released Starsong Attack can cost the company a lot of money. Park Yong-Hyun, CEO of Korea manufacturer Nexon, believes that the current state of triple-A game development makes player feedback even more important.
In an interview with 4Gamer, the CEO outlined the importance of listening to players' feedback and meeting their needs. Park Yong-Hyun said that the cost of modern triple-A games is constantly rising, and statistics are not always enough to assess whether a certain type of game will be successful.
This means that developers, especially in regions such as Korea, often take a gamble when developing new ideas or different types of games. However, Yong-Hyun Park believes that player feedback is always a reliable reference.
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While studios like Nexon still rely on data and overseas numbers for decision-making, the developers emphasize that fan feedback is more reliable. Even if there is uncertainty about player retention, he believes that basic feedback, such as fans liking the gaming experience, is a valuable indicator of potential success.
"I think paying attention to user feedback is the most reliable criterion," he said. ”
Currently, many triple-A games fail to be released because the developers ignore player feedback. Despite ambitious teams and lengthy development cycles, titles such as Suicide Squad, Marvel's Avengers, and Screaming Attack have not been successful.