"Do you want a new game or not?": Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet skipping State of Play is fine, former The Last of Us dev says, because making a trailer costs 4 months of work

The decision by some prominent game developers to skip major gaming events like State of Play reflects a subtle shift in how the industry approaches public relations and marketing. Historically, these events served as vital platforms for studios to showcase upcoming titles and build hype. However, the increasing cost and complexity of creating engaging trailers and presentations are now making these events less appealing to some developers. This trend suggests that the industry is reevaluating its priorities and may be moving towards more targeted, community-driven engagement.

ANALYSIS: The implications of this trend are multifaceted, and it will be interesting to see how other developers respond. If more studios start opting out of major events, it could lead to a fragmentation of the gaming community, with different groups forming around specific titles or franchises. Alternatively, this might create opportunities for new, more niche-focused events and communities to emerge. The next State of Play event will be a crucial test of this hypothesis, and we can expect to see a mix of responses from developers and fans alike.