Microsoft Studios has shut down Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Studios, and Tango Gameworks. I joked on “X” posting that Tango Gameworks should have developed a live service game instead. But, am I really? I want to believe I am, but it seems like the gaming market has changed over the past decade, and the target audience isn’t me anymore. Game studios are shutting down not just in the Microsoft division. It’s happening across all of game development. Video games are growing more expensive to make as time goes on, and publishers do not want to take big risks anymore. It looks like video games need to make a change.

I’ve been in denial, and so have many of the podcasters around my age and a bit older that we’re no longer the target audience anymore. I’m a millennial, and I thought maybe it was generation Z that should be targeted, but they shouldn’t be because they’re adults too with jobs and relationships. Once I got my first full time job I gave up trying to beat every video game I had. At the time I had about 60 – 80 games, and most of them were unopened and played. Nowadays I have close to 800. With full time work comes disposable income, however, a lack of free time. Most nights I come home from work I rather watch YouTube or sports. When the NBA playoffs are over, I may get more serious about gaming. But, I don’t think I’ll ever get close to even playing most of my collection.

Gamers like me are middle aged and busy. I do play video games, still love this hobby, and I want to see more sequels to franchises I’ve been playing for decades. But, I hate to admit there isn’t much of a reason for developers to try and attract middle aged to elderly gamers when there are kids (generation alpha) who have a lot more free time than I do and can dedicate hours upon hours to video games. It took me a year to beat Watch Dogs. It’s a thirty hour game. Back when I was in my 20s I could beat that game in a week or two. Maybe it’s because I’ve been focusing on fighters to make more a communal effort to connect with like minded gamers at tournaments. And I think it’s been a worthwhile endeavor as I have made a lot of acquaintances with people who are into the same things that I am which I haven’t had most of my life.

Speaking of games that sort of goad gamers into socializing with others, those are the types of games publishers need to focus on. Because most people aren’t used to being by themselves for long periods of time in front of a screen, and rather play with other people. That’s why games like Roblox and Minecraft are so popular because kids get to play together and stay on top with each on what’s cool or not. Devil May Cry 6 will not be. Final Fantasy XVII will not be. And another Dishonored will not be. I’ve aged out of the demographic publishers are trying to attract a long time ago. Gamers my age who are in the know when it comes to video games are starting to realize it, and so are the publishers.