How Licensing Ruined Video Games
Why have brand deals, tie in skins and franchise takeovers become the core product in almost every game? Is nothing allowed to just have it's own aesthetic any more?

Why have brand deals, tie in skins and franchise takeovers become the core product in almost every game? Is nothing allowed to just have it's own aesthetic any more?
Everything's better, down where it's wetter, under the sea, unless you work at Unknown Worlds on Subnautica 2, in which case, allegations are flying that Krafton just denied you your piece of a $250m bonus.
Runescape just announced MTX changes that will lose developer Jagex money. And that's the point, because they'd rather lose money than players.
With 1.3 million signatures in the EU and 181,000 signatures in the UK, Stop Killing Games has provoked a dismal response from the industry. But the next response from Governments will be much more important.
Whether you're a Valve employee, developer or customer, Steam's an expansive, labyrinthine beast to contend with at the best of times... but it works. Valve's guidelines keep it that way, so when big names defy the rules? It's a slippery slope for Gabe Newell & team if they don't respond decisively!