Episode Summary: "How Growth Is Killing Video Games"

Better Offline, hosted by Ed Zitron of Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts, delves into the pervasive influence of the tech industry on society. In the episode titled "How Growth Is Killing Video Games," released on March 5, 2025, Ed Zitron is joined by Geeta Jackson and Nathan Grayson from the independent gaming site Aftermath. They explore the burgeoning issues within the video game industry, examining how the relentless pursuit of growth is undermining the quality and sustainability of game development.

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage for Industry Decline

Ed Zitron opens the discussion by highlighting the paradox of the video game industry's growth. Despite exceeding Hollywood in size and revenue, the industry faces significant internal challenges that threaten its long-term viability.

Ed Zitron [03:08]:
"So today we're talking about the games industry, which I think we can all agree is going well."

2. The Shift Towards Bigger, Riskier Games

Geeta Jackson and Nathan Grayson explain that many game companies are transitioning to developing fewer but larger-scale games. This shift is driven by the desire to create blockbuster hits akin to Fortnite or League of Legends. However, this strategy is inherently risky, as it places immense pressure on each project to succeed.

Geeta Jackson [03:30]:
"Well, right now a bunch of games companies are realizing that they need to make fewer, bigger games. And so they're laying a lot of people off in pursuit of that."

Nathan Grayson [04:12]:
"They define it by Hollywood terms. Fortnite is a very good example because literally every child plays Fortnite and you can play it on every device."

3. Financial Pressures and Studio Mismanagement

The trio discusses how the financial realities of game development exacerbate these challenges. Games are more expensive and time-consuming to produce than movies, with high failure rates. Successful titles often see revenues quickly consumed by development costs, leaving little room for profit or reinvestment.

Nathan Grayson [05:02]:
"Games take a lot longer to make than a movie and require a lot more people to make them."

Geeta Jackson [12:05]:
"Execs are making poor decisions while siphoning away millions and millions of dollars from a project."

The conversation touches on Jason Schreier’s reporting on mismanagement within studios, highlighting how executive decisions often prioritize short-term gains over sustainable practices.

4. The Role of Executives and Lack of Unionization

A significant issue identified is the disconnect between executives and the creative teams. Unlike Hollywood, where many creatives are unionized, the gaming industry largely lacks such structures, leaving developers vulnerable to exploitative practices without collective bargaining power.

Nathan Grayson [12:19]:
"The people who work on games are not unionized craftspeople."

Ed Zitron [13:09]:
"The gaming press is not a big needle mover there. But what a lot of people want the press to be, whether they are executives or whether they're gamers, is this like mouthpiece for the industry."

This lack of unionization leads to precarious job security and stifles creative freedom, as highlighted by the shutdown of studios like Monolith despite critical successes like Bioshock Infinite.

5. Fandom Culture and Hate Movements

The episode delves into the toxic aspects of gaming fandoms, where tribalism and reactionary movements thrive. Geeta Jackson discusses how hate mobs, often fueled by extremist ideologies, target individuals and projects within the gaming community, undermining the social and artistic value of games.

Geeta Jackson [22:07]:
"Online forums like Kiwi Farms are dedicated to doxing people, finding their personal information, and outing it."

Nathan Grayson [25:30]:
"Clipping out of context can haunt creators forever, fueling hate."

They explore the origins of Gamergate, a movement that sowed distrust and hostility toward game developers and journalists, illustrating how such conflicts reflect broader societal tensions.

Geeta Jackson [42:02]:
"Gamergate was the first real reactionary movement in video games."

6. The Importance of Games as Art and Positive Examples

Amidst the critique, the hosts emphasize the enduring artistic potential of video games. They cite exemplary titles like Hades and Dwarf Fortress that showcase innovative mechanics, rich narratives, and emotional depth, proving that games can transcend mere entertainment to become profound artistic expressions.

Ed Zitron [71:00]:
"These games are mechanically perfect. They sound incredible. Voice acting's amazing. They look, they feel amazing."

Geeta Jackson [37:41]:
"Games are an incredible vector for creative expression that cannot be done anywhere else."

Nathan Grayson shares insights into Dwarf Fortress, highlighting its complex systems and storytelling capabilities, while Geeta lauds Hades 2 for its emotional narratives and diverse character portrayals.

Nathan Grayson [75:44]:
"Dwarf Fortress allows characters to have memories and personalities that evolve, creating a living world."

7. Aftermath's Vision for Games Journalism

Geeta Jackson and Nathan Grayson present Aftermath as a beacon for responsible and in-depth game journalism. They critique mainstream outlets like Kotaku for prioritizing advertiser-friendly content over genuine reporting, advocating instead for comprehensive coverage that includes hard news and cultural analysis.

Nathan Grayson [38:50]:
"We own the company and we try to structure it in such a way where we all have a relative amount of control over the work we do."

Geeta Jackson [45:19]:
"Aftermath focuses on contextualizing news, especially hard news like WB layoffs, giving it the attention it deserves."

Their approach aims to bridge the gap between industry developments and the broader societal implications, ensuring that the cultural significance of games is thoroughly examined and understood.

8. Conclusion: Hope Amidst Challenges

Despite the numerous challenges discussed, the episode concludes on a hopeful note. The hosts acknowledge that while the industry's growth-driven model has detrimental effects, there are still passionate creators and quality games that demonstrate the medium's true potential. They advocate for continued support of independent journalism and creative endeavors that prioritize artistic integrity over commercial success.

Ed Zitron [81:05]:
"There's still cool shit happening everywhere, and there is hope to be had."

Nathan Grayson [74:58]:
"Games can really make you confront within yourself what you believe about something."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Geeta Jackson [03:30]:
  "Games are in their minds a hits driven business."

• Nathan Grayson [04:12]:
  "They define it by Hollywood terms. Fortnite is a very good example because literally every child plays Fortnite."

• Geeta Jackson [12:05]:
  "Executives making poor decisions while siphoning away millions and millions of dollars from a project."

• Nathan Grayson [12:19]:
  "The people who work on games are not unionized craftspeople."

• Geeta Jackson [22:07]:
  "Online forums like Kiwi Farms are dedicated to doxing people, finding their personal information, and outing it."

• Nathan Grayson [25:30]:
  "Clipping out of context can haunt creators forever, fueling hate."

• Ed Zitron [71:00]:
  "These games are mechanically perfect. They sound incredible. Voice acting's amazing."

• Nathan Grayson [38:50]:
  "We own the company and we try to structure it in such a way where we all have a relative amount of control over the work we do."

• Geeta Jackson [45:19]:
  "Aftermath focuses on contextualizing news, especially hard news like WB layoffs."

• Ed Zitron [81:05]:
  "There's still cool shit happening everywhere, and there is hope to be had."

Key Takeaways

1. Risky Growth Strategies: The shift towards developing fewer, larger games increases financial risk and job insecurity within the industry.

2. Financial Mismanagement: Mismanagement by executives, often prioritizing profit over creative integrity, leads to project failures and studio shutdowns.

3. Lack of Unionization: The absence of union support leaves developers vulnerable to exploitative practices and stifles their ability to advocate for better working conditions.

4. Toxic Fandoms: Reactionary and hate-driven movements within gaming fandoms contribute to a hostile environment, undermining the social value of gaming communities.

5. Artistic Potential: Despite industry challenges, games continue to evolve as a powerful medium for artistic expression, with titles like Hades and Dwarf Fortress setting high standards.

6. Necessity of In-Depth Journalism: Independent outlets like Aftermath play a crucial role in providing comprehensive and honest coverage of industry issues, fostering a more informed and resilient gaming community.

7. Hope for the Future: While systemic issues persist, the passion of creators and the support of ethical journalism offer a pathway toward a more sustainable and artistically fulfilling gaming landscape.

Final Thoughts

"How Growth Is Killing Video Games" offers a critical yet hopeful examination of the current state of the video game industry. Ed Zitron, alongside Geeta Jackson and Nathan Grayson, provides insightful analysis into the economic and cultural forces shaping the future of gaming. By highlighting both the pressing challenges and the inspiring examples of artistic excellence, the episode underscores the need for a balanced approach that values creativity, fair labor practices, and meaningful storytelling.

For listeners interested in the intersection of technology, culture, and media, this episode serves as an essential exploration of how unchecked growth and mismanagement can jeopardize an industry's integrity, while also celebrating the enduring power of games as a transformative art form.