'This is the bit where the comet hits the earth and the dinosaurs die:' Tim Sweeney revisits scathing 26-year-old eulogy for beloved studio Looking Glass
Sweeney's assessment of the games industry in the 2000s hits close to home today, but I still hold out hope that the future can be better.
On May 24, 2000, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney delivered a statement publicly announcing the closure of Looking Glass Studios, a renowned PC gaming company known for pioneering the immersive sim genre. The statement resurfaced recently on Twitter and Sweeney responded to the renewed attention. In his original statement from 2000, Sweeney acknowledged the challenges faced by game businesses, stating that "sometimes the creative magic that makes a game loved by some isn't accompanied by the economics of a viable business."
He emphasized that companies must generate sufficient revenue to cover expenses, even during industry downturns. Sweeney advised making great games efficiently, setting budgets based on audience size, and praised technology that aids this process. However, some industry insiders criticized Sweeney's stance, highlighting the artistic impact of Looking Glass and characterizing his comments as the mindset of an "asshole CEO."
Despite the criticism, many fans of Looking Glass still found elements of truth in Sweeney's words, even as they expressed frustration with the industry's current direction.
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