Star Trek Online executive producer Thomas Marrone has sharply criticized the trend of game companies dismantling experienced development teams, only to replace them with new studios staffed by "AAA veterans" or relying on unproven technologies like AI. Marrone likened this practice to "setting fire to millions of dollars of property and equipment," arguing it is "wildly irresponsible and self-sabotaging."
Marrone's comments follow EA's recent decision to close BioWare, but he broadened his critique to encompass layoffs and studio closures across the industry. He emphasized that many of the most successful game development studios achieved their breakthroughs only after learning from past failures. According to Marrone, if publishers are solely focused on increasing shareholder value, they would be better off investing in financial markets rather than attempting to create games.
"Making a game is like starting a band. You can’t throw money at a new studio with random AAA veterans and expect it to crank out a hit," Marrone stated on Bluesky. He explained that successful game development requires a clear vision and a cohesive team whose chemistry is built over years of collaboration. He contrasted this with the perceived "AAA philosophy" of assembling a group of disparate talents and expecting immediate success, comparing it to expecting random musicians to instantly become The Beatles.
Marrone pointed out that studios often achieve their first major hit only after releasing several previous titles. He cited Blizzard, Larian, and Arrowhead as examples of companies that had multiple games under their belt before achieving widespread recognition. He argued that the common practice of disbanding studios, even those that have successfully shipped games, is counterproductive to a publisher's long-term financial interests. "Like if I were a major shareholder I would be livid," Marrone commented, calling the destruction of these studios "wanton destruction of these publishers’ most precious assets."
He advocated for nurturing and empowering teams, noting his own 16-year tenure at Cryptic Studios. Marrone highlighted the lengthy process of team development, which he described using the stages of "forming, storming, norming, and performing." He stressed that reaching the "performing" stage, where teams become significantly more effective, can take years of shared experiences, including both successes and failures. Marrone posed hypothetical questions about the industry's trajectory had studios like Larian, Arrowhead, or Hello Games been shut down after their earlier, less successful titles.
Marrone acknowledged the pressure on leadership when significant financial and personnel stakes are involved, and the allure of seeking a quick solution through trends like NFTs or generative AI. However, he concluded by reiterating the fundamental importance of "nurturing and empowering your team."
Similar sentiments have been voiced by other industry veterans. In April, Greg Foertsch, director at Bit Reactor and former XCOM developer, discussed the importance of maintaining team continuity across projects. The industry has also seen several "AAA veteran" startups struggle, with some closing shortly after their formation. Examples include Casey Hudson's studio, which shuttered in 2024, and Mac Walters' company, which lost publisher funding a year after its launch. These situations add to the growing number of experienced developers facing layoffs from major companies like Microsoft and Ubisoft. Marrone suggested that investors may become less inclined to fund new "AAA veteran" teams, particularly as they pivot towards potentially speculative investments in generative AI, which he described as "a half trillion dollar gamble."