Game Developer's 2023 wrap-up: The trends that defined the year
We have plenty more stories for you today at Game Developer, including a year-end wrap-up feature on the trends that defined the year, a featured blog on the making of the intricate manual for The Banished Vault, and yet another featured blog on surviving a release disaster, and news from the likes of BioWare, Take-Two, and more.
From wildly successful adaptations, ongoing unionization efforts, and a morale-shattering wave of layoffs: these are the trends that defined the game industry in 2023.
There have been some trends worth celebrating, such as the ongoing unionization efforts gathering momentum across the industry, but for those in the trenches of development it has been rough. With that in mind, we wanted to end the year with a clear message: support developers, because without them the game industry as we know it simply would not exist.
"Take it easy on yourselves and others. Focus on your vision. Embrace agility and change."
"There is a special feeling in making a document for your game full of nice art and writing and holding it in your hands when you're finished."
Despite wanting to be a big player in the mobile games industry, acquiring Zynga to achieve those dreams may have come too late for Take-Two.
Before BioWare returned to Mass Effect and Dragon Age, its co-op shooter Anthem very nearly broke even for EA.