The former CEO of Nexon is clear: video games like GTA6 will cease to exist in the coming years

Owen Mahoney, former CEO of Nexon, has issued an alarming warning about the future of AAA game development, arguing that risk aversion among industry executives may be contributing to its potential decline. Mahoney, who decided to acquire the studio Embark during his tenure, despite pressure from investors and board members, pointed out that the trend of prioritizing safe projects limits innovation and could ultimately end the sector. “I believe the AAA industry is structurally at its end,” Mahoney stated in a recent interview.

Could AI save them?

Leaders of major gaming companies face intense pressure to approve projects that do not pose significant economic risks. This, according to Mahoney, leads to a homogenization in video game creation, where developers are forced to choose between independent projects with funding difficulties or working in large studios, where their work feels more like a factory routine.

Mahoney highlights that, although the acquisition of Embark was a risk, he did it because he perceived an urgency in the development team to prove their worth. However, he warns that the industry seems trapped in a cycle of thinking that does not allow for the exploration of new ideas. “Everyone is so busy running today’s business that it is becoming very difficult for them to think about tomorrow’s business,” he emphasized.

Despite the pessimism, Mahoney also envisions significant potential growth in the coming years, driven by artificial intelligence. Although he is skeptical about current trends, he suggests that AI could lead the industry to reinvent itself and attract players who reject low-quality products. Thus, the solution to this dilemma could be a path towards renewal in video game creation, even as challenges remain present.

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