Outriders developer People Can Fly have announced they will branch out in to AA games with smaller budgets, alongside AAA projects.
GamesIndustry.biz reports that the studio’s change in strategy will see AA games and new genres; while continuing with its AAA shooters. While the AA games would boast the quality of their prior works, they would be “characterized by a shorter development time, lower budget and smaller scope.”
People Can Fly will also be looking to work with new teams. They may acquire new studios to work on those AA titles, releasing one game every year starting in 2024. Nonetheless, the developer’s prior strategy of multiple AAA game development in parallel will continue.
We previously reported Outriders saw over 3.5 million unique players in its launch month, and Square Enix announcing the game was “on track to become the company’s next major franchise.” However, our review of the game noted at the time it was “still plagued with just too many issues to recommend.”
Aside from the poorly functioning multiplayer, bugs, and glitches; the endgame was disappointing, and “every live service problem imaginable is present and accounted for aside from microtransactions and battle passes.” Players were compensated for launch issues the game had, and the issues were being addressed by the developers.
In August People Can Fly told investors that they had not received their first royalties for Outriders; suggesting it had not turned a profit over four months after launch. Management Board President Sebastian Wojciechowski proposed this may have been due to costs associated with distribution platforms, “entities offering Outriders as an addition to their platform,” and Square Enix expenditures that they were unaware of.
The prior news and shift to develop smaller budget games may sound damning at first. AAA games development is continuing as normal however, and acquiring more studios would not be an easy task if the studio was struggling financially. GamesIndustry.biz note that the developer had acquired seven studios around the world in April, after acquiring Phosphor Studios.
Is this a hail Mary by People Can Fly, or a natural growth for the company? Sound off with what you think in the comments below!
Image: People Can Fly official website
