The recent success of RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has brought new attention to the genre. Michael Douse, Larian Publishing Director, shared his thoughts on the challenges of convincing executives to back turn-based RPGs.
Douse said it’s tough to persuade company leaders that RPGs can be commercially successful. He knows this from personal experience. Once a game is released, those who doubted its potential often point to its Metacritic score and say they knew it would do well all along.
Executives Lack Key Insights
Douse noted that executives often lack the necessary data to make informed decisions. They tend to rely on past successes. To mitigate this, it’s crucial to support teams with a proven track record and those willing to take risks to gather valuable insights.
A recent Twitter post by a user named Cromwelp echoed Douse’s sentiments, stating that it’s intensely difficult to convince people within the industry that turn-based RPGs will sell.
A Resurgence in Turn-Based RPGs
Turn-based RPGs have a dedicated fan base and have seen success in the past, particularly with the release of Final Fantasy 7 in the late 90s. Although the series has since shifted towards more action-oriented gameplay, the recent releases of Baldur’s Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have reignited interest in the genre.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, for example, sold 1 million copies within three days, demonstrating the genre’s potential for commercial success.