The gaming industry is under the microscope, and this time, the criticism comes from a source with deep knowledge and experience: former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden. Layden, who has played a key role in some of the most iconic gaming announcements, including The Last of Us Part II, has raised serious concerns about two major trends currently shaping the industry—studio acquisitions and the lack of preservation for gaming’s history.
Concerns About Creativity in a World of Consolidation
Shawn Layden’s career in gaming began in 1987 when he joined Sony, and over the years, he rose through the ranks to become a key player in the industry. Now working as a strategic advisor for Tencent, Layden has seen firsthand how the gaming world has evolved, and he’s not entirely happy with what he sees. One of his main concerns is the increasing wave of studio acquisitions by tech giants like Microsoft, especially following the controversial Activision Blizzard acquisition.
In a recent podcast interview, Layden shared his apprehension about the effects of consolidation. While the financial aspects of these deals are often heavily discussed, his focus is on how these acquisitions impact creativity. “What concerns me about consolidation,” Layden explained, “is its effect on creativity. When a studio is acquired, there’s a risk that instead of focusing on their own unique ideas, they get absorbed into larger projects or mandates from their parent company.”
This shift, according to Layden, has the potential to stifle the creativity that the gaming industry thrives on. The core question is whether these acquisitions will foster innovation or create a more homogenized industry where risks are avoided, and originality is sacrificed in favor of corporate-driven mandates.
The Urgent Need to Preserve Gaming’s History
Layden’s criticisms go beyond just the present-day challenges facing game developers. He also raised a critical issue: the preservation of video game history. As the industry moves more toward digital distribution, many vital pieces of gaming’s legacy are at risk of being lost forever.
“The games we create aren’t disposable products,” Layden argued passionately. “They’re cultural artifacts, and future generations deserve to experience them just as we have. It’s criminal that we’re not doing more to protect this history.” His words reflect a growing concern that the gaming industry is not doing enough to safeguard its creations. As technology evolves, hardware becomes obsolete, physical copies degrade, and digital files can be wiped out when servers are shut down.
This is not just theoretical; the reality of game preservation is incredibly challenging. Layden is calling on major players in the gaming world to take responsibility for ensuring that their creations are protected—not just for today’s players, but for future historians, gamers, and enthusiasts who will want to experience them.
Lessons from France: Legal Deposit as a Model
Layden’s appeal for better preservation practices isn’t without precedent. In France, the concept of legal deposit—the requirement for publishers to submit copies of books for archival purposes—has been in place since 1537. This model was later extended to include video games, with publishers required to submit their games to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BnF).
The BnF has become a global leader in software preservation, tackling challenges such as hardware emulation and ensuring the integrity of digital files. Layden pointed out that this is a system that the gaming industry could learn from and adopt more broadly, particularly within large companies that have the resources to implement such practices.
Gaming’s Cultural Responsibility
Layden’s criticisms serve as a powerful wake-up call for an industry that is rapidly evolving. While gaming is often praised for its cutting-edge innovations, it risks losing sight of its rich history and the foundational elements that made it so unique. Preserving creativity and safeguarding the history of video games are not just abstract concepts—they are essential to maintaining the long-term relevance and cultural significance of the medium.
As Layden’s words echo across the gaming community, the hope is that the industry will reflect on its role in shaping the future without losing touch with what has made gaming special from the very beginning. After all, gaming is not just about what’s next—it’s about honoring the journey that got us here and ensuring future generations can continue to appreciate its history.
