The growing gap between video game developers and players has been a topic of debate in the industry, especially regarding the failure of certain titles. Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout, has addressed this issue, pointing out that both creators and users face challenges in understanding each other’s expectations. According to Cain, it is often observed that developers fail to grasp what their audience truly desires, which becomes even more complicated when trying to attract new audiences.
Players should be more expressive and developers more flexible
The process of creating a video game is notably longer and more complicated than that of a movie or a book. This scenario makes it difficult for studios to follow current trends without their projects quickly becoming outdated. Cain points out that, although many criticize specific aspects of video games, many players provide vague analyses, which limits constructive feedback. “It’s easy to criticize what you don’t like, but it’s more complicated to express what you really want,” the developer stated.
The lack of specific criticisms has led to confusion in development, especially in genres like Soulslike, where difficulty can be seen as an obstacle by some, while for others it represents an incentive. Cain emphasizes that developers cannot satisfy everyone, as the diversity of opinions in the community is wide.
However, there is also an alternative argument proposed by Cain: creators should focus on developing games they enjoy and not worry too much about external expectations. This opens an interesting discussion about whether the correct approach is to create for oneself or for a broader audience, which could define the future of the industry.
