The year 2024 has unfolded like a treat for gamers all over. We’ve seen the emergence of delightfully innovative and polished titles such as Astro Bot, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Metaphor Refantazio. These outstanding games have created a consistent flow of quality entertainment, giving fans a reason to be excited about what’s next on the horizon. However, despite the gleaming highlights, 2024 shares quite a few similarities with the previous year, both positively and negatively.
Over the past 12 months, a deluge of superior games has hit the shelves, yet this year is as much about the challenges within the industry as it is about its triumphs. Recurring issues, like the notable layoffs at top development firms, have persisted from last year’s troubling trends. Meanwhile, abrupt and startling closures of major gaming companies have taken the industry by surprise. The unpredictability of the video game world remains glaringly evident in 2024. Let’s dive into the events of this year alphabetically.
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### Akira Toriyama’s Death Sends Shockwaves Through the Gaming Industry
A significant tragedy struck in 2024 with the passing of Akira Toriyama, the creative genius behind the iconic Dragon Ball series and numerous landmark JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, Blue Dragon, and Dragon Quest. His departure is a profound loss, not only to gaming but to manga and anime. However, Toriyama’s legacy managed to unite the often divided gaming community, bringing creators and fans together in mourning and celebrating his monumental contributions. Reflecting on Toriyama’s influence has been a sobering yet inspiring part of the year, highlighting the deep impact one creative mind can have.
### Concord’s Release and Shutdown
This year also witnessed the catastrophic release and swift demise of Concord, Sony’s team-based shooter in the vein of Overwatch. Launched only to be shelved within a fortnight, the failure of Concord sparked extensive debate. Critics have pointed fingers at its lackluster art direction, subpar marketing, and the hefty cost of the game. Likely, these were all contributing factors. Despite its initial criticism, Concord serves as a cautionary tale for the industry about the pitfalls of monetization, trend-chasing, and financial overextension.
### Disney Invests $1.5Bn in Epic Games
February saw Disney announce a substantial $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, renowned for Fortnite, the Epic Games Store, and Unreal Engine. This partnership marks a deeper collaboration than the occasional shared events seen in Fortnite, featuring Disney’s Marvel and Star Wars themes. What this means for the gaming landscape remains to be seen, but it’s set to enrich Fortnite’s ‘metaverse’ and beyond.
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### Game Informer Shuts Down After 33 Years
In an unexpected turn, Game Informer, a stalwart of gaming journalism, closed its doors this August. Its closure marks the end of an era, having been a pivotal resource for gaming news and insights for over three decades. The disbanding feels particularly harsh with the erasure of its digital content, leaving a gaping void for its loyal audience.
### Layoffs, Unions, and Strikes
The industry faced a staggering number of layoffs in 2024, exceeding 14,000 affected jobs. Companies big and small have experienced reductions, pointing to a broader industry malaise. In parallel, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strikes continued, now prominently campaigning against AI in voice acting. Progress has been made, notably with Ethovox agreeing to compensation terms for voice replication. Meanwhile, unions are gaining ground, as seen with Blizzard and ZeniMax Online organizing to combat exploitation and poor conditions.
### Nintendo Sues Palworld Developer Pocketpair
Nintendo, alongside The Pokemon Company, pursued a lawsuit against Pocketpair in September. They charged that Palworld infringes on design patents, particularly creature capture mechanics. The case brings attention to questions of novelty in game development. Pocketpair has vowed to contest this in court.
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### PS5 Pro Hits the Market
Sony’s PS5 Pro, released in November, offers gamers advanced performance, boasting 4K resolution and 60FPS without compromise. However, its high price and lack of a disc drive have drawn criticism. Despite these critiques, the PS5 Pro currently stands as the most powerful console available, with Sony’s PSSR software enhancing game quality.
### Switch 2 Rumors, Leaks, and Hype Dominate the Year
The gaming community buzzed with anticipation for Nintendo’s Switch 2, confirmed to be backward compatible with its predecessor. However, concrete details remain scant, with leaks suggesting magnetic Joy-Cons and 4K support among other features. Nintendo has promised more revelations by March 2025.
### Xbox’s Closure of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin
The closure of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin came as a shock, especially following Tango’s successful title HiFi Rush. While Krafton’s acquisition of Tango offers a glimmer of hope, Arkane Austin’s fate still hangs in the balance after the release of the underwhelming Redfall, despite their history of quality titles like Dishonored.
### Xbox Games Going Multiplatform
Xbox’s new multiplatform strategy has seen several exclusives ported to other systems, reflecting the rising costs of game development. While this shift is significant, its long-term success remains to be seen as Xbox navigates this broader strategy.
