Do they make less games these days?

[matnatz]

I know they make less PC now, but I think less console games are being made swell. This generation has been so underwhelming so far that I feel like buying another PS2. I remember in times of yor there were so many games out, many of which were quite small time and unheard of, but they were good. There just doesn't seem to be as much choice in games, there are only 5 or 6 games that come out per year that take my interest. A few years ago there would be 20 or more. Are games so expensive to make these days that many little gems are being forced out of the market? And what the hell has happened to horror? The Wii has a few horror titles at least.

 

[tenlong]

It starting off to be a good year. Last gen was fucking awesome. Last gen every time you turned around there was a good game coming out. It is a hard act to follow.

 

[Legion]

It's not so much that there are less games, developers are just using marketing to sell better by releasing their games around Christmas.

Look at last Autumn/Winter: Gears or War 2, Fable 2, Fallout 3, Prince of Persia, Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty: WAW, Farcry 2, Dead Space, Mirrors Edge, Saints Row 2.

All of them released within 2 months of each other, so the rest of the year feels emptier.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

A lot of the interesting smaller games have moved to download only. People have been saying that there is a big gap in the middle for a while now. Games are either mega budget titles that have to appeal to any game player who has a pulse and is able to hold a controller or have small budgets and scope.

 

[TheLastCylon]

As games advance technologically, they take longer to make. I'd rather wait 2 years for good game, than 1 year for a bad one.

I know what you mean though, I remember the good old days....

 

[Yooz]

In 2004, 612 games were released. In 2005, 793 games were released. In 2006, 848 games were released. In 2007, 898 games were released. In 2008, 879 games were released. So far in 2009, 601 games have been released.

 

[XJ-0461]

With the increasing complexity of the technology in current gen consoles, I'm guessing it's harder for smaller studios to make games, resulting in less releases.

 

[ae86gamer]

It's not so much that there are less games, developers are just using marketing to sell better by releasing their games around Christmas.

Look at last Autumn/Winter: Gears or War 2, Fable 2, Fallout 3, Prince of Persia, Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty: WAW, Farcry 2, Dead Space, Mirrors Edge, Saints Row 2.

All of them released within 2 months of each other, so the rest of the year feels emptier.

^This. Developers release games during the holiday seasons. That way they're able to make more money. During the summer its rare to see a big title being released. Thats why many refer to the summer as, Video Game Drought Season. I'm not sure who calls it that but I've heard it being said a few times.

 

[MBanister]

i dont think its less games being released just less varied games...the only big titles lately have been sandbox games or shooters it seems with the occasional sports game thrown in