OPINION: With AAA Delays, The Magic of Indies Could Define Next-Gen of Gaming
“Independent games are here to stay and will be the defining, turning point in this next generation.”
Major gaming studios have been forced to extend their timed releases of anticipated games and launch titles. This is due to both COVID-19 and ensuring their projects are well polished to customer satisfaction.
While the pandemic has delayed many AAA videos games this year, the silver lining of these delays is the true uprise of independent game studios and their creations. This could very well define the kickoff of the next generation era of gaming.
According to Android Central, the following major titles have been delayed (these are not all of them, but are notable ones that I believe many gamers are eagerly anticipating):
–Halo Infinite: Initial Date = Xbox Series X Flagship 2020 launch title; Release Date: 2021
–Cyberpunk 2077: Initial Date = April 16, 2020; 2nd Date November 19, 2020; UPDATED Release Date: December 10, 2020 (as of Oct. 27, 2020)
–Watch Dogs: Legion: Initial Date = March 6, 2020; Release Date = October 29, 2020
–Marvel’s Avengers: Initial Date = May 15, 2020; Release Date = September 4, 2020
–Dying Light 2: Initial Date = Spring 2020; Release Date: TBD (Delayed indefinitely)
–Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered: January 23, 2020; Release Date: August 27, 2020
–Rainbow Six Quarantine: Initial Date = April 2020; Release Date = Between April 2020 and March 2021
–Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2: Initial Date = March 2020; Release Date = 2021
–Wasteland 3: Initial Date = May 2020; Release Date = August 28, 2020
As we all see on the various social media spaces, many die-hard fans of these respective franchises are not exactly happy with the delays…especially the likes of console juggernaut, Halo Infinite, which was originally supposed to be Microsoft’s Xbox Series X launch title in Holiday 2020. The mere fact that the magnitude of Halo being delayed leaves an imaginary door open for how exactly expectations may go for next-gen AAA during these times. While some are appreciative of these studios ensuring that their games go through a bit more development for the sake of their reputation and overall, expected gaming experience, the grass can always be greener on the “other” side. What is that other side you ask? Well, let me ask you: Have you dived into the under-appreciated realm of the Indie world?
#IndieWorld Showcase - 8.18.2020https://t.co/wBkWsYW2Q6
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 18, 2020
Now, although Nintendo has been majorly supporting Indies as of late (hence their takeover of the #IndieWorld hashtag), for all gaming platforms, indie games have really started receiving the desired recognition from both gamers and pop culture enthusiasts alike the last few years.
If you’re not familiar with what indie is defined as in the game space: Think of it as individuals or small third-party companies that are not backed by big publishers or having large money support.
If AAA is considered mainstream, consider indies the underground.
Many indie companies are, nine times out of 10, smaller than AAA titles, with usually having smaller budgets and having a bit more creative freedom in how the development of their projects are outlined. If AAA is considered mainstream, consider indies the underground. But not all indies remain in the unfamiliar territory, as over the last few years, many indie games have risen up to critical acclaim.
A few notables that I can (re)introduce are seen below (again, just a few out the MANY out there…and I urge you to seek them out and support them!):
Untitled Goose Game
The Witness
Hotline Miami
Cuphead
A Plague Tale: Innocence
The Stanley Parable
Inside
Hollow Knight
Dead Cells
Overcooked 2
Golf With Your Friends
My Friend Pedro
Enter the Gungeon
Celeste
Cloudpunk
Moving Out
Streets of Rage 4
Its no secret that gamers, including myself, are looking forward to the next generation consoles of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Besides Nintendo (whose has four consoles in top 10 all-time bestselling), staple competitors Sony (PlayStation) and Microsoft (Xbox, Windows) need to continue to give indie games a little more love, if not just as equal, as their console-exclusives and AAA titles.
Whether or not the delays of these AAA games will determine their long-term success, every year, hundreds of indie game studios are seeking just as much visibility throughout the gaming ecosystem. There is magic within the Indie World…and come next-gen, let your gaming imagination run wild and pursue that curiosity.
{Updated 8/18/2020: Update Link of Nintendo’s #IndieWorld Showcase}
{Updated 11/2020: Update Release Date For Cyberpunk 2077}
