Hi,

To bring out my bias I'll tell right away that I've hated EA since they added micro transactions in Dead Space 3. Any or all concurrent appointments at the time might be related.

But I'd still like for EA/Bioware to exist, instead of getting rolled up into Embracer group, cause that just seems like a sshow with their new projects..

So, how to be a hip new publisher/developer in 2025.

1st off, for 70-100$ people don't even know if they want to get invested. Limit the budget, stop making open world flops, consider making at a smaller scale, corridors, cities, etc. with emphasis on more exciting features, powers, gimmicks. Maybe be retro and give it replayability with unlockables and cheat codes.

2nd, it has to run on a Steam deck (720p 40ps, 60fps with Afmf or FSR) and still look good and palatable, not awfully compromised. Limitations are the keystone of creativity.

3rd. My backlog is just insane. So the best course of action is to tell everyone who wants to, how many sales, how much money you need to consider making a sequel/expansion within 1-2 years to extend or finish the story, or what is grounds for a second groundbreaking entry. Just put up a website that markets your current income from games with goalposts and progress bars. Then listen to your ctitics. Simple as. Go get Critical drinker, asmongold, Gmanlives WHOEVER.

You'll immediately see a few projects rocket to some goals for the niche games, because if it's 400 000sales from a feature length dlc or second entry, you bet your ass that some people will organise to buy the game monthly for their friends to finally get Dead Space 4. Also organise some cheap merch for more money sinks because there are so many copies you can make, sell the artist teams posters for their commission+profit or make them draw a comic book with the writers.

Sincerely,

Someone that hates.

Because the opposite of Love isn't Hate.