Many gaming companies have increased revenue thanks to the pandemic. But the coronavirus can still negatively affect the gaming industry, according to the head of Xbox Phil Spencer (Phil Spencer). This impact will become noticeable by March 2021.
Spencer is quoted by Business Insider. He recalled that due to COVID-19, some processes in game production slowed down or stopped altogether. (A number of companies have already faced supply disruptions due to quarantine at Chinese factories.)
Spencer is confident that the games scheduled for summer/fall 2020 will not be affected. They went through the main development cycle even before the COVID-19 outbreak.
But development problems await companies that are preparing games for release next year or later. Because of the total quarantine, it is difficult for them, for example, to make a mockup (motion capture), record soundtracks. These processes, like many others, are not designed for remote work.
According to Spencer, the problems will lead to postponements and cancellations of releases. However, he believes in “the industry’s ability to consistently release games to the market.”
“There are a lot of games in development right now, and I believe that we, as an industry, will cope with everything. Even if the coronavirus affects some games that are due to be released on a certain date, I am optimistic about it,” the head of Xbox notes.
We would like to add that this spring there have already been postponements of games scheduled for 2020. We are, of course, talking about The Last of Us: Part II. Its release was moved due to quarantine, which prevents the distribution of physical copies.
Also on the topic:
- Former Respawn Leads have launched a “remote studio” Gravity WellThe creators of Alien: Blackout closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Sony to Create $10 Million Fund to Support Indies Affected by COVID-19
- Is there any news?
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