ProbablyMonsters Shifts Gears: Former Bungie Head Harold Ryan Reveals New Strategy

Former Bungie CEO Harold Ryan founded ProbablyMonsters in 2016, aiming to transform AAA game development. However, the company has since shifted its focus towards a more agile and flexible approach, abandoning its initial goal of targeting the AAA market. This change in strategy comes after the studio's first two games, Storm Lancers and Ire: A Prologue, were announced, both of which were developed in around 18 months and are priced at $19.99. Ryan believes that the old model of AAA game development is no longer sustainable and that a more adaptable approach is necessary to succeed in the current market. ProbablyMonsters is now adopting a model similar to that of AA publishers in the 2000s, focusing on developing smaller, quicker-to-make games and seeing which ones resonate with audiences. The company has multiple short-, mid-, and long-term games in development, with plans to release games every year from now on, covering various genres. This new approach has led to a significant change in the company's structure, with smaller, more integrated teams and a focus on sharing tools and technology. Ryan emphasizes the importance of being responsible with investment levels and acknowledging that the industry is constantly evolving. He also notes that the company's vision remains the same, but the means to achieve it have changed, with a focus on creating long-lasting, respectful careers for game developers. ProbablyMonsters' pivot has come at a cost, with reports of redundancies at its internal studios, but Ryan is confident that the new strategy will lead to sustainable success.