Making a great game over financial gain
In game development, financial gain is not just a reality—it’s a necessity. Without it, our work is unsustainable. Revenue funds our teams, tools, infrastructure, and future projects. But when profit becomes the primary goal—above player enjoyment, quality, and creativity—we risk building something hollow.
A game designed to maximize monetization at the expense of player experience may generate short-term gains. But it often sacrifices long-term player trust and engagement. It leads to systems that prioritize efficiency and retention tricks over artistry and joy. The result? Games that feel transactional, not magical. Soulless titles that fail to delight players or attract lasting communities.
And it's not just players who will turn away. The most talented and passionate developers—the ones who care deeply about the craft—don’t want to work on games that feel like cash grabs. They want to build something meaningful. Something they can be proud of. If we prioritize exploitation over experience, we lose them too.
That’s why the long-term financial health and success of a game development enterprise depends on prioritizing the creation of great games that delight players.
By centering the player experience, we build games people genuinely love. Games they talk about, return to, and share. This foundation doesn’t just win hearts—it builds lasting value. The financial success that follows is more durable and more meaningful because it's built on real delight, not short-term manipulation.