I want to apologize to the Laufey team for dragging you all into this uninvited & unnecessary negative attention. I was trying to illustrate an industry concern & my mistake of naming your game is being used out of context & for clickbait. You don’t need this. I’m sorry. 🧵

Sep 18, 2026 · 2:47 PM UTC

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A journo asked me about the state of our industry. I mentioned a few concerns. One being the lack or innovation & risks taken in the AAA space. Tho this isn’t the team’s fault! My fear is that our player base is getting tired of playing the same verbs for the last 20 years. 🧵
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My hypothesis: Our medium is unique because players are DOING a thing. There’s a different physiological response than viewers who just WATCH a movie. This requires us creators to continue to push & create new experiences, or we run the risk of diminishing players’ dopamine.🧵
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Half-life 2 was released in 2004 Gears: 2006 Bioshock: 2007 Uncharted 2: 2009 The Last of Us: 2013 I feel like those games (& more) set the the “modern AAA” mold. Each felt like they were trying to create a new experience within AAA. But this is only one side of my concerns.🧵
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Unfortunately the platforms that need to bring stability have eroded the ability to innovate. The quest for GaaS & wanting to recreate the next Overwatch, Fortnite, Roblox, etc is not a viable strategy & frankly shows these “industry leaders” don’t know their own brand.🧵
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Hot take: There’s a lack of good leadership, clear direction & conviction from the ppl at the top, in charge of the money. (Money = stability) I believe if they understand their brand, they could have honest, inspiring conversations w creators to steer our medium to innovate.🧵
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ANYWAY… blah blah blah. I have thoughts about what’s wrong & the possible serious harm done to our industry & how we might be able to fix it. But in trying to have a thoughtful conversation I stuck my foot in my mouth & mentioned Laufey, and that was my mistake. FIN (for now)
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This is why people with insider or early access can't be trusted when they talk about a game. Because look at what happens if they are actually honest or not positive enough about it. They get a call and are told to get back in line or risk loosing that job.
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The man who kept Neil Cuckman in check will always have my respect. Shame you couldnt have been there for The Last of Us part II.
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I'd expect more respect from you. You haven't even played Laufey yet, but you already know it's boring. This just puts you on the same level as all those pathetic internet trolls
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I mean sure, but most of the time when some studio tries to do something new or unique, people usually don’t buy it anymore. There’s a reason companies keep making “the same games” over and over again, because it’s what sells.
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You made the most luke warm valid criticism. You have nothing to apologize for
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I love god of war but feel like this is a massive stab in the back honestly God of war has always been Kratos as the main character and this has been the case for many many games and then you have a weird cube thing and stuff what happened it just felt so uninspired honestly.
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I don’t really understand your complaint for Laufey. The new God of War games aren’t just “movie games”, they have great combat as well. And they did innovate with the “one shot” camera, melding gameplay and story better than any game before it. 1/2
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You shouldn't apologize for stating your feelings on something. Any kind of crisis can 'hurt' but without it studios, and artists and general would never strive to be better. You did nothing wrong. You can still hope for it to be good. I would stick my guns if I were you.
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The way you’re talking, I better see some of the most creative, inspiring gameplay in your new game, respectfully.
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As if this game wasn't already getting enough unwarranted hate. The toxic manosphere (including bots) will echo chamber their feelings, regardless. You just added fuel to the fire
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I appreciate the desire to not cause strife in there lives, especially when there is so much anger, but very few in western triple AAA seem to be listening to players anymore, maybe if more guys like you said something it would make a difference.
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You only said what we are all thinking.
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You named games and therefore development teams. Why did you not name executives and leadership people? You know better than most who is actually making the bad calls and you could have chosen to put them on the spotlight, not the people that just work there. Punch up, not down.
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To be honest, you're not entirely wrong. Singling them out wasn't necessary and derailed a discussion long overdue. But again, you aren't wrong. The state of AAA games is somewhat dire.
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You're still perfectly right. Ps5 gamers have virtually been playing the same game for more than a decade lol
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No, you are correct. Don't walk it back. We need people of influence to stay vigilant or change is never gonna happen.
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Nah.. name and shame them. WE as consumers should know who are the lazy Devs who keep doing the same dumb shit over and over. Here's an easy one.. Pokemon.
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I can say the same about indie and cosy games we see these days.
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Don't talk with the media. If you have to, a skilled publicist is sitting next to you.
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The gaming internet as a whole is in a mood towards Sony. I’ve found it’s hard to have much dialogue on anything tied to them without it getting twisted. (Which I say knowing exactly how you feel and what you were going for)
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There's no opportunity to inject innovative ideas because everything new gets shut down immediately by the anti-woke chuds. Then they start smear campaigns and try to cancel your game. Thats why the industry is full of bald white male saves the world slop
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I don’t feel u should apologize, games have become stagnant in the way we play because everyone, even content creators, are fixated on the way things look
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There is a truth in that but we know you didn't have any malice. I'm sure Santa Monica will get that too and maybe maybe will take more risks going forward
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Nothing wrong with what you said in the first place. No need to Streisand effect this. Lol
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It'll remain to be seen until it comes out, but if we look back to trailers that did pique interest Azucena's parries in Tekken, the introduction of the SSG Meathook in Doom Eternal, updated returns of a beloved weapon, gadget or artifact in a long running RPG, or even all the simulation updates in Bodycam that certainly "stirred a conversation" The mind goes from "I might try this." to theorycrafting how theyre going to integrate into their playstyle. At that second level I think a player is certainly committed.
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I'm curious of what you think about Death Stranding. Is it innovative enough?
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Honestly, I look at GTA and find nothing that I haven't seen and done before. it's just a fresh face with bigger and prettier teeth every time. That's AAA. Heck, I even dropped Elden Ring after it reused bosses multiple times. Everything is boring.
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I think the sentiment of your words were harmless. I read it as "it's probably a great game, but it's just not for ME personally. I'm just more into stuff completely new or unseen before."
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apologize all you want because you're trying to be diplomatic and professional to your peers in the industry...but EVERYONE knows you're right. nothing you originally said was wrong. have we not all seen what happened with Wolverine? it's the same exact thing. your point stands
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They do need this tho, this industry has to start waking up
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