重點資訊
Star Trek Online executive producer Thomas Marrone has publicly criticized the gaming industry's trend of breaking up established development teams. Marrone described the practice of disbanding studios in favor of "AAA veteran" startups or pursuing "magic bean" technologies like generative AI as "wildly irresponsible" and self-sabotaging for publishers.
Marrone argues that successful game development relies on team chemistry, which requires years of collaboration to build. He compares the process to starting a band, noting that simply hiring experienced individuals does not guarantee a hit. According to Marrone, many acclaimed studios like Larian, Blizzard, and Arrowhead achieved their success only after years of shared experience across multiple titles.
The producer specifically addressed the recent closure of BioWare, suggesting that publishers fail to understand the value of maintaining team continuity. He contends that disbanding teams, even after successful projects, destroys a company's most precious assets. Marrone suggests that if publishers are only interested in financial growth without supporting product development, they should invest in mutual funds instead.
Marrone’s comments arrive amid widespread industry layoffs and the failure of several recent "AAA veteran" startups. While publishers continue to seek quick fixes, Marrone emphasizes that the only effective strategy is to nurture and empower existing teams, as true effectiveness takes time to develop.
