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Alan Wake Dev: Games Will Become More Like Services

Updates in gaming has become common but what is the future?

Well, according to one developer, this won't just lead to the majority of games delivered digitally; it'll also lead to the concept of continuous experiences via updates. I.e., no more sequels; the "sequels" will be in those updates.

In speaking to IncGamers, Remedy Games boss Avi Jarvilehto says he sees games moving away from the single product label and moving into a service structure. Basically, it's to keep the audience "involved" over the long-term through constant updates instead of always shipping physical sequels. Said Jarvilehto:

"I think that’s a trend that will only continue to move forward. How fast the other platforms are going to move in that direction remains to be seen, but I would expect in the next five or 10 years we’re going to move ever closer to the point where games are more like services and it’s more about the experience and getting involved long-term with the game… rather than shipping constant sequels."

He added that this shouldn't hinder creativity and cited Shadow Cities as a good example; it's "constantly billed as a 'service' that is constantly updated and everything is changing all the time." So in other words, a developer would produce a game and we'd play it for years as the experience continues to change with new updates. A one-time purchase fee followed by a monthly fee, perhaps...?

What do you think?

Tags: gaming industry, next-gen, video games, gaming future

1/6/2012 10:43:11 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (25 posts)

Underdog15
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 10:58:05 AM
Reply

Some might. But until movies and music artists do the same thing, it won't be welcome by most people.

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Fane1024
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 7:24:16 PM

Never heard of television series?

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Underdog15
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 12:24:12 PM

Yup. Ever heard of movies? They're separate from television series.

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BikerSaint
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 11:02:57 AM
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I don't think I like this as scrupulous money-grubbing developers can wind up trying to milk each game in so many different ways.

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Cuetes
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 3:31:34 PM

Amen Brother, Amen

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Douchebaguette
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 10:43:19 PM

Either that, or milking sequels: it may always be a 'pick your poison' scenario.

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manofchao5
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 2:44:33 PM

I would not pay a monthly fee on top of the game cost, but if you mean like
ex. buy uncharted 1 disc
then buy uncharted 2 and 3 as download updates for the $50 or whatever ( assuming download speeds get better eventually)
I would consider this, but it has to be a reasonable price

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bigrailer19
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 11:06:36 AM
Reply

I don't think it will sequels drive the industry. Everyone loves hearing about a true sequel, and makes the wait more exciting. If this ever happened I'd feel almost ripped off knowing the game wasn't actually complete and that it's actually a "service" kind of frustrates me, knowing there will be more to that story.

Just because this is what they are doing with Alan Wake doesn't mean it's where the industry is going. There's a difference in what they are talking about and some of the add on DLC we get right now.

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Naksy
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 11:08:58 AM
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All things said and done....
The excitement of getting a new game in a shiny plastic box, removing the plastic wrapping and putting the Disc into the console....
It doesn't get better than that :)

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wackazoa
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 12:11:03 PM
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Makes sense. Would allow a team like Rockstar to build a city Los Santo/Liberty city as detailed as possible then just have stories stem from that city.

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slugga_status
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 1:25:21 PM
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Meh, I don't like the sound of that at all. I'd have to pay my $60 for a game..then possibly pay a monthly/yearly fee. I like my sequels on disc..this is just another form of going completely digital. I like looking at my collection and see I have all 3 Uncharted games and Resistance games..Physical media must continue..

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robinhood2010
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 6:06:35 PM
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Without being rude, has this guy got the internet?

Has he heard of MMOs?

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Fane1024
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 7:28:19 PM

What he's saying is that the MMO model will become SOP (standard operating procedure) for all sorts of games. He wasn't pretending to be inventing something new.

I'm torn. I think he may be right and I can see the appeal of that model. It's a lot like the model of table top RPGs. I also, however, see the appeal of "true sequels" and the drive of technological advancement makes computer/console games different from "book games". Personally, I tend to buy "complete" editions of games rather than downloading add-ons piecemeal and I have no interest in paying subscription fees, so I guess I currently favor the old model.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 1/6/2012 7:38:56 PM

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LegendaryWolfeh
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 9:18:35 PM

First thing that went into my head, "So he means MMO's?" Which I don't mind, I love MMO models...I hate paying MMO models though I have been playing TOR for the last couple weeks :(

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robinhood2010
Saturday, January 07, 2012 @ 2:01:45 AM

I get what you mean Fane and Wolfeh, but I like to play different games. I don't like paying for a game every month, which is why I don't play MMOs.
Everything about this model excludes people. If there was an option of continuous versus disc sequel, thats fine.

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DjEezzy
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 7:34:09 PM
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I see this happening too. Honestly publishers are always looking for ways to get that extra dollar from consumers. It's the nature of the business i guess. If it doesn't come in this form it'll come in some other form. I can see the working well for some franchises but not for others. This kind of reminds me of the whole downloadable games vs. hard copy debate for some reason...

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Qubex
Friday, January 06, 2012 @ 10:26:57 PM
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I must agree with Biker Saint. If this occurs we will see the loss of "true" innovation in a sense. Indie developers may find it more and more difficult to break into the industry when the majority of gamers are tied to their cable-like game contracts...

Due to economic constraints, and to simply have at least a game to play; if these service fees start to get out of hand people may be stuck on one genre only. They just wouldn't be able to afford multiple game types if they all become service based

How terrible... I reject this trend completely...

Q!

"play.experience.enjoy"

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Fane1024
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 5:53:28 AM

Jarvilehto never said that there would be contracts. Payment could still be a la carte. Indeed, most MMOs have gone to that model already.

I also don't think the model precludes innovation. I've seen plenty of game-changing patches already (Burnout comes to mind) and have no doubt that game engines would still receive upgrades if this model became SOP.

Biker's just mad that he wouldn't have as many boxes to put on his shelf.

;P
Last edited by Fane1024 on 1/8/2012 6:00:09 AM

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BigBoss4ever
Saturday, January 07, 2012 @ 1:52:16 AM
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i think that is when I stop playing new games and start playing backwards. period.
Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 1/7/2012 1:52:51 AM

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Beamboom
Saturday, January 07, 2012 @ 3:07:56 AM
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Yeah this is very much the mmorpg way of doing things. It fights both piracy and used sales pretty effectively.

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___________
Saturday, January 07, 2012 @ 7:33:12 AM
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im not a real fan of the idea, but yea thats the way were going.

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Underdog15
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 12:27:54 PM
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Until standard practice is to make stories with continuing stories that never end, the won't be the case. Games and narratives alike have finite endings. And with so many developers and publishers in a growing industry, people are probably less likely to commit to one and one game only.

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Caanimal
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 6:09:01 PM
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If this happens I see my game purchasing go from about 15 games a year to just a few, and more than likely only on my PC since I don't have the best DL speeds and I don't like the idea of leaving my PS3(or 4 if it's by the time all this takes place) on for days at a time to DL several gigs worth of game...

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Hoagie324
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 9:44:17 AM
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Something about this is a bit unsettling. I don't see this happening with most major developers and games, as the sequels often sell much better than the original if it catches the interest of the consumer, and disc-based media is still a major thing with consoles due to slow download speeds in select areas. Sure, the Alan Wake dev may do this with their games, but until it's desired as a medium for games from both the consumer and the developer, it won't happen.

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Toxin
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 8:10:29 AM
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I had a thought like this that I posted in forums back in 2010 titled "Digital Game Era a thought"

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