Studio Behind Avowed Wants To Stay In Business For 100 Years By Just Not Chasing Huge Profits

by

In an industry known for continual evolution and unpredictability, Obsidian Entertainment is opting for a daring, long-term strategy that emphasizes sustainability over instant triumph. Instead of relying on colossal projects with astronomical budgets, this studio is focusing on establishing stability and intelligent growth. Their ultimate aspiration? To reach their 100th anniversary, a goal that may seem ambitious but becomes less so given their past achievements in creating successful and well-received titles. Here’s what you should know about this daring approach.

The Bold Strategy for Long-Term Success

Obsidian Entertainment is mapping out a long-term plan centered on sustainability, stability, and reasonable goals, opting for steady growth instead of high-risk ventures. Instead of expanding rapidly, the studio aims to keep its team compact, foster camaraderie, and make prudent investments in their game development. This approach is designed not just to endure but to flourish in an industry where quick expansion is often prioritized over longevity. Interestingly, 100 years ago might have seemed like a distant past, yet Nintendo had already been around for 23 years, and passengers on the Titanic could potentially have played with their toys.

Amidst a gaming industry where studios often confront layoffs and shutdowns, Obsidian’s method stands out as a refreshing change. Instead of rushing to produce games, the studio concentrates on crafting titles that deeply connect with players, prioritizing quality and regular launches. By maintaining this steady pace, they aim to achieve long-term prosperity without feeling compelled to constantly chase the next big sensation. With their thoughtful strategy in place, Obsidian’s leaders hope to celebrate their 100th anniversary by creating games that will be cherished for years to come.

Low-Cost Games: A Risky Bet

It’s important to note that the approach taken by Obsidian Entertainment, which involves creating affordable games over expensive ones, wasn’t an original concept. For instance, consider Blumhouse Productions, a film company that specializes in producing low-budget horror films with the aim of having one of them achieve commercial success, such as ‘Get Out’ or ‘Paranormal Activity’.

At Obsidian Entertainment, there’s a conscious effort to avoid growth, aiming to prevent employees from feeling like mere components in a large system. However, this approach presents a challenge: They either produce numerous affordable games with the hope that one becomes successful, forcing workers to work on multiple projects simultaneously due to the lack of expansion, or they pour all resources into a few low-cost games.

However, should you invest 1 million and the game generates 2 million in revenue, it’s true that your investment has been doubled. Yet, expenses such as salaries remain constant. Consequently, to maintain profitability, there’s a need to produce numerous low-cost games. Unfortunately, this approach may result in many games that lack heart and emotion, as one person might struggle to give their full effort.

In other words, it’s about deciding if only opting for cheaper top-tier games leads to low-priced productions or if it also opens up opportunities for mid-budget projects. DontNod Entertainment chose a strategy of creating relatively affordable, unique games with rich storylines, like Life is Strange, and keeping a consistent release pace. However, this method failed due to constant delays in deadlines and managing multiple projects at once. Consequently, the company is now facing a critical financial situation. An initial investment of $100 six years ago in their stock would now be worth less than $9.

As time progresses, let’s cross our fingers for top-notch, labor-intensive games to continue for the next 78 years, rather than massive projects primarily designed to satisfy shareholders. This approach, as we all understand, contradicts the essence of gaming, much like ‘growth for growth’s sake is the philosophy of a cancer cell,’ as wisely stated by Edward Abbey.

Read More

2025-02-18 13:39