The publishing director of Baldur's Gate 3 has dismissed the idea that "big budget = sh*t" while expressing the opinion that "the public company model is broken"

According to Baldur's Gate 3's director of publishing, the notion that high budgets lead to poor quality in video games is a misconception. However, he implied that the entertainment industry's reliance on the public company model is flawed.

These remarks followed a conversation featuring Dan Houser, known for his work on Grand Theft Auto, where he highlighted the industry's predominant focus on revenue. The statement caught the attention of George Broussard, co-creator of Duke Nukem 3D, leading Michael Douse to argue that the problem lies within the traditional "product pipeline" rather than the financial aspects, noting that reaching audiences has become more accessible.

As Broussard noted in a social media post, the shift from producing games with budgets around $3-5 million to now up to $250 million has restricted originality and risk-taking for about two decades. He pointed out that AAA games have shifted towards frequent sequels of top franchises, citing financial risks as a deterrent for innovation.

Broussard further commented on how the high costs associated with AAAA games discourage buyers from continuously purchasing sequels, noting that attempts at incorporating service or Games-as-a-Service models have largely not succeeded.

Douse, addressing Broussard's comments, pointed out the disconnection between budget size and game quality. He emphasized the necessity for a unified mission among all parties involved, which he believes is often lacking. He criticized the reluctance or inability of traditional pipelines and investors to adapt, describing the public company approach in entertainment as ineffective.

Houser, a prominent figure from Rockstar Games and Absurd Ventures, diverged from many in his field by acknowledging the exploratory use of AI, while cautioning against overestimating its current capabilities.