There is a lot going on in the video game industry right now, and some of the things are real headscratchers. Different perspectives can at least bring more clarity, and our friends at The Expansion Pass took a few moments to speak with Shawn Layden, who's been in charge of many a video game company. What he had to say in the interview was eye opening, and you can check it out yourself below. Make sure you subscribe to The Expansion Pass while you're at it!
PlayStation losing touch with its audience — 52:37–53:05
Layden says the industry has become disconnected from its fanbase and specifically adds of PlayStation: “I don’t see anybody from my old shop out in front talking to fans anymore,” calling it a missed opportunity.
Wolverine / frustration with PlayStation — 54:29–55:00
Layden says Marvel’s Wolverine has taken criticism “for no fault of its own,” arguing that broader concerns surrounding the PlayStation brand have created a kind of “guilt by association.” He also confirms he is currently playing the game and says, “It’s fun.”
PlayStation players buying fewer individual games — 1:14:40–1:16:29
Layden discusses PlayStation’s old “tie ratio”/software attachment-rate metric. He says PlayStation eventually stopped tracking it because the number “kept going down,” with players increasingly spending their time on a smaller number of games such as FIFA, Fortnite, Madden and Call of Duty.
Xbox’s “Dreamcast moment” — 1:21:33–1:22:47
Asked what advice he would give current Xbox leadership, Layden says Xbox needs to “pick a lane” between competing as a platform and operating as a major multiplatform publisher. He calls the current situation Xbox’s “Dreamcast moment,” comparing the choice to Sega leaving the hardware business.
Stay tuned to GamingTrend for more video game industry news and info!
