8 things I hope happen in 2024 for video games
2023 was a year of major ups and downs for the world of video games. Several highly populated release windows saw countless game-of-the-year contenders pop up to the point where it felt like we had multiple all-timers released each and every week; yet at the same time, there were seemingly endless industry layoffs in a time when games seemed increasingly more successful than ever before.
While we all hope that 2024 brings as much in the way of excellent games - albeit with hopefully a little more breathing room - it is more important than ever to recognise that this has also been a year full of fear from those within the industry, and hope that the same isn't repeated as we move into 2024.
So, here is a wishlist for video games in 2024, featuring all of the things I hope happen and change in the next 12 months.
No more layoffs
Click to enlargeStarting off with confidence, I sincerely hope that there's not a single news article, press release, or tweet about layoffs in the game industry after a year where they seemed inescapable. Over 9,000 jobs have been lost since the beginning of 2023 according to videogamelayoffs, which is staggering in juxtaposition to how celebrated this year has been for its releases.
It is inconceivable for companies to post record profits and celebrate huge game releases only to announce staff departures shortly after, and people making games that they love should not have to fear that the next announcement made will include their name.
While this might seem like a serious start to a rather whimsical wishlist, it is more important than any prospective game release and intrinsic to the future of the industry we all love so dearly.
More game delays
Somewhat linked to the previous wish, I hope that more games get delayed in 2024, leaving developers with more time to make the game that they want and avoid any unnecessary crunch.
We can all get understandably caught up in the hype cycle and want all of our most anticipated games as soon as possible - you could even say I'm to blame for this with a few entries on this list - but far too often have we heard stories of developers pushed beyond their limit and games released unfinished that it's best they take a little more time with things.
Elden Ring DLC
Click to enlargeIf you've played FromSoftware's behemoth Elden Ring then it's pretty much a guarantee that you're desperate for more of any kind. More dangerous lands to explore, more terrifying bosses, and inevitably more death.
The announcement of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC came mere days after the game's first anniversary, and as of yet all we have is one single piece of key art to go on. Immediately thousands of fan theories were created - much of which revolved around missing or unused content that had been discovered by YouTubers like Zullie the Witch and Sekiro Dubi.
Much in the same way as my previous point, I'd rather FromSoft take as much time as it needs with Shadow of the Erdtree - especially considering the scale of the base game, as historically their DLCs have been the best parts of each respective game. However, I cannot lie and say that I wouldn't do pretty much anything to get my hands on it either!
New IO 007 info
IO Interactive's upcoming 'Project 007' is definitely one of my most anticipated games, as there are few more perfect matches than the greatest-ever stealth developers and a James Bond game.
Bond games have typically focused more on the combat side of things - from the good of Goldeneye to the not-so-savoury Quantum of Solace - but few have actually engaged with the 'spy' nature of his job title.
Hopefully, we will learn more about this upcoming follow-up to the prodigious World of Assassination trilogy in the next year, as any stealth fans out there will certainly be with me in their excitement.
Quake modernisation
Boomer shooters have become all the rage in the past few years, with titles like ULTRAKILL, DUSK, and HROT leading a speed-filled nostalgia charge for the gore of old.
Even DOOM has had a well-earned single-player revival in 2016 and 2020 with Eternal - but 2024 feels like it's time for Quake to make a comeback.
Yes, we've had Quake Champions and even RTX enhancements for Quake II - but the children yearn for the erratic fast-paced action of a new mainline Quake game, and we can only hope that id Software is cooking up something new in the shadows.
3D Mario & Donkey Kong
Two of Nintendo's biggest mascots are definitely due new entries, as it is now nearly a decade since DK Country: Tropical Freeze first released, and we're experiencing the longest stretch without a 3D Mario title since Super Mario 64 was sent out into the world.
Click to enlargeOf course, we only recently were treated to the wonderful Super Mario Bros. Wonder - which if you go by our glowing review, was an excellent achievement - but if things are just between you and me, 3D Mario is really where it's at.
Furthermore, now that the headline act has had his 2D fun, why not give everyone's favourite Kong a taste of the action? He's generally been overlooked despite being one of Nintendo's most recognisable names, and the Switch deserves more than just a Wii U rerelease - even if it is one of the best platformers out there.
Big yearly games to take a break
While it most definitely won't happen as games on yearly release cycles make far too much money to break from that cycle, certain big franchises really could do with letting off the gas a little.
We've already gone over why Call of Duty should take a breather, but with the 2024 edition reportedly being worked on for years now, the series shows no signs of breaking from its cycle.
Furthermore, the switch from the long-standing FIFA name to EA FC would have been the perfect opportunity to refresh and break from long-standing repetition, but as the weeks go on it feels like the football 'simulation' is slipping more and more into old traps.
Absence truly does make the heart grow stronger, and all you need to do is look at how a series like Assassin's Creed revitalised its identity after taking a break. Players do get fed up by the end of a yearly cycle, but perhaps the main reason why that fatigue sets in is that they know the next instalment is only a few moments away around the corner.
No more live service
My final wish is much of a continuation of the last point, and it revolves around how lethargic the live service format has become. Forget how live service games operate in isolation - that is perhaps a problem of its own - but instead how many are released each and every year.
Click to enlargeThe intrinsic nature of a live service game requires your fullest attention at all times, thriving off the FOMO we all experience when that new skin, weapon, or LTM is just out of reach.
I've become so tired of it all that I can't even play some of the games that I love casually, as you feel so left behind or out of the loop if you're only popping in a couple of times every week. With continued news that Sony intends to release a swathe of live service titles in the near future, I beg that things slow down and the industry stops releasing games that feel like a full-time job.
Understandably I don't expect most if not all of these wishes to come true in the next year, but I would be happy if 2024 saw just a handful of positive changes and exciting announcements that continue to shine a positive light within this wonderful industry.
