“No one truly knows what kind of game will succeed,” says Shuhei Yoshida, arguing that major companies should invest in smaller, experimental projects and support them through publishing to foster creativity.

The ex–Sony Interactive Entertainment chief believes larger corporations ought to put more money behind bold, low-budget ideas, since at the end of the day, nobody can predict which game will ignite mainstream interest.

Speaking with the press, including MiniMap ahead of Korea’s G-Star conference, Yoshida discussed the influence of Stellar Blade, the state of console gaming, and Korea’s indie scene. Asked how big studios can stay inventive, he suggested using resources to publish and empower smaller developers.

He highlighted how Nexon kept a light touch while Mintrocket built Dave the Diver – even amid 2023 Game Awards debates over its indie status – noting, “I completely agree with the philosophy that creative freedom should remain untouched.”

“No one truly knows what kind of game will succeed,” Yoshida said. “Not even marketing teams can predict it because they rely on past data, and new ideas are, by definition, unprecedented.”

That reality has become clearer in recent years. Alongside Dave the Diver, surprises like Balatro, Schedule I, Palworld, Lethal Company, and Peak have all taken off. They were not obvious shareholder darlings, yet they performed brilliantly.

“That is why I believe big companies should invest in smaller, experimental projects while also supporting them through publishing,” he continued. “For indie creators, working under a supportive larger entity can be beneficial. Ultimately, creativity thrives in environments built on trust and collaboration. If large companies like Nexon can nurture that freedom rather than restrict it, that is the ideal model.”

Is that a slightly romanticized view, especially with Yoshida now retired. Maybe. In a perfect world, publishers would fund tiny studios with zero interference, and those games would become huge successes. Reality is messier, but it is still a stance more big studios should adopt. More Balatro, more Vampire Survivors, more Valheim for everyone.

Source: PC Gamer