Ex-Sony Interactive Leisure head honcho Shuhei Yoshida thinks that greater firms ought to do extra to put money into “smaller, experimental tasks” as a result of on the finish of the day, no one actually is aware of what sort of video games are going to pop off with the plenty.
Yoshida sat down with video games press together with MiniMap forward of Korea’s G-Star convention chatting about Stellar Blade’s affect, console gaming, and the Korean indie recreation scene. When requested about how massive studios can keep inventive, Yoshida stated he reckons it is extra about them utilizing their cash to help smaller builders by way of publishing.
He highlighted the truth that each Nexon and Mintrocket have maintained that the previous was very hands-off within the latter’s growth of Dave the Diver—which confronted a ton of ‘is that this an indie recreation?’ discourse across the time of the 2023 Recreation Awards—saying “I fully agree with the philosophy that inventive freedom ought to stay untouched.”
“Nobody really is aware of what sort of recreation will succeed,” Yoshida identified. “Not even advertising groups can predict it as a result of they depend on previous knowledge and new concepts are, by definition, unprecedented.”
I actually do really feel like that notion has been encapsulated an increasing number of in the previous few years. We have seen video games like Dave the Diver turn out to be hits alongside different nice surprises like Balatro, Schedule I, Palworld, Deadly Firm, and Peak. Stuff that may not have essentially stolen the hearts of shareholders and massive wigs, however managed to do extremely effectively regardless.
“That’s the reason I imagine huge firms ought to put money into smaller, experimental tasks whereas additionally supporting them by way of publishing,” Yoshida continues. “For indie creators, working below a supportive bigger entity might be useful. In the end, creativity thrives in environments constructed on belief and collaboration. If massive firms like Nexon can nurture that freedom slightly than prohibit it, that’s the very best mannequin.”
I imply, is it a barely romanticised view on the entire thing, particularly now Yoshida is chilling in retirement? Certain, it might be beautiful if in a really perfect world, publishers threw a great deal of cash at tiny studios to make their factor with zero inventive interference after which that factor can be an enormous success and everybody wins. The truth is commonly a little bit extra sophisticated after all, however it’s nonetheless a stance I hope extra greater studios tackle board sooner or later. Extra Balatros, extra Vampire Survivors, extra Valheims for all.

