Issues the gaming industry needs to address

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The gaming industry faces many challenges that need to be addressed creatively. Indeed, game studios work hard to design a fantastic experience for gamers. However, challenges within the industry can affect the experience and the overall quality of the game, with sometimes long-lasting consequences.

No, we are talking about insufficient testing that can leave players feeling disappointed with their purchases. This was the case, for instance, of Cyberpunk 2077, which was pulled from the PlayStation store in December 2020 after a questionable performance on consoles. Here, we are not considering development issues or lack of quality inherent to the game technology. Instead, we are considering problems that can relate to harassment, unique creations, and tech waste.

Harassment in the gaming community​

We can thank the MeToo movement for giving many women a chance to express the issues they face in the industry. Gaming studios such as Ubisoft have come under fire for reports of harassment. A former employee accused the company of failing her when she raised multiple complaints about racist remarks and sexual harassment in 2018. Ubisoft is not the only company struggling to process reports and act accordingly. Employees decided to form the group ABetterUbisoft to show solidarity with the victims and encourage an industry-wide revolution.

It goes without saying that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. However, by raising awareness about the problems and working together, the group hopes to create a positive industry for minorities and women.

Creative work being shared for free​

Everybody is familiar with in-game purchases, whether they relate to additional gaming services or aesthetic features. Building a unique character is especially important for semi-pro and professional gamers, who can use the character as an avatar in online communities and live streaming games.

Unfortunately, for every player who purchases an item, countless others look for free, downloadable fakes that can be added to the game. A unique digital item designed for the game can be copied, edited, corrupted, and repurposed for free. As a result, the individual creator is losing money and copyrights. That is precisely why crypto art using blockchain technology is vital for creative professionals, ensuring NFT items are non-interchangeable and can be sold at their true value. Unique items that utilize Non-Fungible tokens, such as in F1 Delta Time, can ensure that each item is unique and assigned a real value. For digital creatives involved in the process, this means preserving a source of revenues through unique items. Additionally, specific reproduction of existing items can also be priced accordingly, such as Formula 1 rare designs.

The increasing waiting time​

Enthusiastic gamers know that their hobby can be expensive. However, recent years have started to reveal the true weaknesses of the gaming market. Cost is only the tip of the iceberg. Availability and limited stocks are immovable obstacles. When the PlayStation 5 hit the market in November 2020, gamers found it hard to get their hands on the console.

Pre-orders sold out rapidly, forcing most customers to wait until the official release. Over one year later, the same customers are still waiting for their consoles. Indeed, the pandemic hardware shortage significantly affected production and stock availability. Combined with the unprecedented volume of demand, manufacturing industries are unable to match the need for chips. As a result, the latest console designs are difficult to acquire.
In the long term, shortages are likely to affect the production of other devices, including smartphones and computers. In other words, the endless wait for devices will reach out to other markets. While it is impossible to predict how the industry will react, we can expect a price increase to appear in the hope of reducing demands.

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The inevitable crunch​

Crunch may seem like a new term for gamers who are not familiar with game production processes. However, many gaming company employees complain about elevated stress and increased pressure. In an effort to remain competitive, gaming studios are trying to outdo each other in terms of production time and quality. Having a quality game is not enough to guarantee big market wins, and you also need a release a game before your competitors, ensuring you can attract more purchases.

For employees, the fast-paced environment, such as Rockstar and Naughty Dog, has become synonymous with long working hours and high stress levels. Unfortunately, breakdowns, health issues, and even mental health disorders are becoming more frequent in the gaming industry as employees often choose a short-term gaming career before making a reconversion in a different sector.

In conclusion, despite the enjoyment the gaming industry delivers, it becomes essential for the long-term future to address the issues within the industry. As we all know, gaming should be a source of fun for everyone, and it's up to the gaming community to join forces and make it a better world.
 

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