Doom‘s legend John Romero has recently said that games likeClair Obscur: Expedition 33represent the future of the industry, while pointing out how this kind of title can “make the triple-A companies go.” TheClair Obscur: Expedition 33release has gotten the gaming community talking, with many hoping that more companies would adopt the same approach to game development that Sandfall did—and John Romero seems to envision a great future for these kinds of indie studios.
The rise of indie games has been taking place for more than a decade, though these studios have been establishing themselves even more in recent years. There are countless examples of simple titles with low development budgets that become breakout hits overnight, standing far taller thanmany AAA titles with huge development teamsand millions invested. Indie studios tend to bring new experiences to the table, as they can experiment with the medium to deliver risky proposals that sometimes help redefine the industry. These games are normally carried out by small teams, or even solo developers, such asStardew Valley,Balatro,Undertale, and many more. The trend of indie or AA studios moving away from bigger companies is steadily growing, andDoom’s co-creator has shared his thoughts on the matter.
Legendarygame developer John Romerorecently spoke on Nightdive Studios' Deep Dive podcast, where he touched upon the present and the future of the gaming industry. He went on to explain how most of the greatest games from recent years are indies, listing some renowned names likeBalatro,Baldur’s Gate 3,Helldivers 2, andClair Obscur: Expedition 33. He then proceeded to point out that these studios could potentially put an end to AAA companies, humorously adding, “Wait a minute. We need to start doing this.”
Doom’s John Romero Says Indie Games Can ‘Make Triple-A Studios Go’
Romero also commented on the size of the industry, comparing it to 20 or 30 years ago, emphasizing how much easier it is for developers today to create a game and “put it out there for people to get.” Distribution for indie companies, according to Romero, is far easier than before—especially since the boom of digital games and platforms. Prior to this, “You’re never going to do that as an indie,” he stated, also noting how manyindie games are released yearly on Steam.
Romero may have a good point, as there are more and more indie orAA studios gaining traction, while several AAA companies are struggling to launch games that truly cater to fans. As the video game industry continues to move in this direction,Doom’s veteran John Romero celebrates this slow industry shift and hopes it continues.
