Alexandre Amancio Speaks Out on AAA Development

In a recent interview, Alexandre Amancio, the former director of Assassin's Creed, shared his insights on the AAA development industry. Amancio, who has been open about his experiences in the industry, offered some candid thoughts on what's needed to create successful games.

The Need for Smaller Teams

Amancio emphasized that smaller teams are essential for creating great games. He suggested that big-budget developers often struggle to overcome creative problems due to their massive size.

"In a small team, you can take risks and try new things," Amancio said. "In a large team, it's harder to move quickly because there are so many people with different opinions and ideas."

Amancio pointed out that this is why we often see similar games being made by the same developers multiple times. With more people involved, it becomes increasingly difficult for any one person to have a vision that stands out.

The Limitations of Big-Budget Developers

Amancio also admitted that big-budget developers are not always equipped to solve creative problems.

"They're too busy dealing with financial constraints and trying to appeal to the broadest audience," Amancio said. "But sometimes, you need to take a risk and try something different."

This is why Amancio believes that smaller teams can be more successful than big-budget developers. Smaller teams are more agile and can respond quickly to changes in the market.

The Importance of Passion and Creativity

Amancio emphasized the importance of passion and creativity in game development. He suggested that games should be made by people who are genuinely passionate about their work.

"When you're working on a project, you need to care about what you're doing," Amancio said. "If you don't care, it shows in the final product."

Lessons from Amancio's Time at Ubisoft

Amancio's experiences at Ubisoft, where he worked on Assassin's Creed, provide valuable insights into the AAA development process.

During his time at Ubisoft, Amancio was part of a team that developed Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. The game received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success.

Challenges Faced by Big-Budget Developers

Amancio highlighted some of the challenges faced by big-budget developers. These include:

• Financial constraints: Developing games is expensive, and studios often have to balance their creative vision with financial realities.
• Market competition: The AAA market is highly competitive, making it difficult for new games to stand out.
• Pressure to innovate: Big-budget developers often face pressure to innovate and try new things, which can lead to burnout.

The Future of Game Development

Amancio's comments on the future of game development are thought-provoking. He suggested that smaller teams may be better equipped to handle the challenges facing the industry.

"The future of game development is all about finding a balance between creativity and pragmatism," Amancio said. "Smaller teams can achieve this by being more agile and responsive to changes in the market."

Conclusion

Alexandre Amancio's comments on AAA development provide valuable insights into the challenges facing the industry. By embracing smaller teams and prioritizing passion and creativity, game developers may be able to overcome some of the obstacles currently hindering success.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends play out in the coming years.