The tale of Immortals of Aveum, a single-player FPS by Ascendant Studios and published by EA, serves as the latest cautionary tale in the ever-evolving landscape of video games, specifically the pitfalls of chasing greatness and that next big payday.
Despite being generally considered an above average title with a relatively unique “Call of Duty with magic” premise, the game fell short of expectations, leading to significant layoffs at the studio.
Furthermore, Immortals of Aveum’s lackluster commercial performance has ignited talks on the internet around the challenges of launching new intellectual properties in the crowded video game market, especially amidst high-profile releases.
Launched in August 2023, Immortals of Aveum faced stiff competition from industry titans like Diablo 4, Starfield, Baldur’s Gate 3, as well as “lesser-known” titles like Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon and Remnant 2. This saturated market made it difficult for a new IP to carve out a niche, regardless of its merits.
Nevertheless, what stood out the most from IGN’s interview with a former employee is the game’s development cost, which reached a staggering $85 million, coupled with $40 million dedicated to marketing. While the team boasted talent, the scope might have been excessive for a debut project, especially considering the inherent risks of launching a new IP.
However, some former employees believe the core concept itself and execution was flawed. The attempt to blend AAA single-player experience with Unreal Engine 5’s cutting-edge tech resulted in a bloated and repetitive campaign, alienating potential players seeking a more streamlined experience.
Despite mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, awareness for Immortals of Aveum seemed low. Some gamers discovered its existence only after its release, suggesting potential shortcomings in the marketing strategy. This, coupled with its launch timing, significantly hampered its reach.
While Immortals of Aveum eschewed microtransactions and open-world bloat, aiming for a focused if old-school experience, it couldn’t capture a large enough audience. This raises a valid concern about the viability of single-player titles in a market increasingly dominated by live-service games.
As for the players, the response is mixed. It isn’t a bad game, per se, but it doesn’t standout either. It teeters more towards the side of generic, failing to capitalize on the comparisons with Battlefield and Call of Duty by separating itself more with the use of magical spells. This highlights the delicate balance developers must strike between innovation and mass appeal.
Ultimately, Immortals of Aveum serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in launching a new IP. Effective marketing, meticulous market research, and a keen understanding of player preferences are crucial for success. Studios must carefully weigh ambition against feasibility, especially in a competitive market.
On the same note, even games that find commercial success face struggles. Pocketpair, the developers behind Palworld, are spending unsustainable amounts of money every month to keep the game online. The studio behind Helldivers 2, the most successful PlayStation Studios title on Steam ever, is facing similar difficulties as well.
As the industry continues to evolve, striking the right balance between artistic vision, market demands, and execution will be paramount for survival.
