High-profile flops like Suicide Squad and poor sales of some games have worsened the industry’s prospects. Meanwhile, the debate over “diversity, equity and inclusion” in games has sparked a backlash online, with critics accusing developers of focusing too much on these social issues rather than the quality of the game (with good reason).
Pressure from online communities, as well as growing concerns about the impact of AI on the workforce, has led many to question the future of the Western gaming industry. Developers remain pessimistic and the industry is struggling to recover.