A former PlayStation boss explains why he thinks modern games are suffering a 'collapse of creativity' and points out some other concerning trends.

During a conversation at Gamescom Asia (via GamesIndustry.biz) with Raw Fury co-founder and chief publishing officer Gordon Van Dyke, Layden talked about the disappearance of AA studios and the negative impact it's had on the industry.

The executive said the console power chase has hit a “ceiling” and called for companies to compete on content rather than specs. “It’s time for a real hard reset on the business model, a hard reset on what it is to be a video game,” he told VGC.

With more and more studios opting to make spin-offs, sequels and reboots of existing I.P. rather than explore new concepts and stories, former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has declared there is a "collapse of creativity" in the games industry.

Shawn Layden, former PlayStation executive, has spoken out against the current industry model on several occasions. Specifically, he believes that big productions and AAA games that cost millions of dollars are not the right path, as he thinks they will lead to a major crisis.

Ex-SIE charman Shawn Layden says an overemphasis on AAA games is "a threat to the ecosystem."

Shawn Layden, the ex-PlayStation executive who held a number of high-profile roles across Sony Interactive Entertainment, believes there’s been a “collapse” in creativity across the industry due to “studio consolidation and the high cost of production”.

Shawn Layden, a former Sony exec, has said that relying on blockbuster games is a 'death sentence,' lamenting the demise of AA titles in the industry.

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden has said that the disappearance of lower budget, AA games in favor of AAA games is a “death sentence.” Speaking at Gamescom Asia, Layden opined that relying on “triple digit millions” costing AAA games is stifling creativity as companies take less risks.