ID@Xbox's Chris Charla Discusses the Blurring Lines Between Indie and AAA Games

According to Chris Charla, the strategic director of Microsoft's ID@Xbox program, the distinction between indie and AAA games is becoming less significant. During a keynote speech at Develop:Brighton, Charla noted that consumers no longer prioritize the difference between the two, instead focusing on the quality of the games themselves. He explained that while there is still value in separating the two on the business side, the creative output is what truly matters to players. Charla also discussed the challenges of discoverability in the modern gaming landscape, stating that it has become a major obstacle for developers. He emphasized the importance of helping developers find their target audience, rather than just focusing on getting players to discover new games. Charla expressed optimism about the future of indie games, citing the growing acceptance of video games as a mainstream form of entertainment and the increasing quality of games being produced. He predicted that scholars will one day study classic indie games like Limbo, just as they currently study the works of Chaucer.