It seems like all the video games coming out nowadays are either AAA or indie titles. There doesn’t seem to be nearly as many mid-tier games as there used to be on previous console generations. The sixth console generation had tons of mid-tier games that had bigger budgets than indie titles, but not as big as a AAA game.

Unfortunately, these games seemed to slowly fade away by the end of the seventh console generation. Developers should make more mid-tier games that offer great gaming experiences, without the outrageous budget.

There used to be a time where video game developers were able to experiment with creative ideas without having to worry about breaking the bank. AAA games are so expensive that companies have to sell an astronomical amount of copies just to turn a profit. Some companies are forced to shut down if their AAA game doesn’t meet sales expectations. This can sometimes limit developers' creative freedom.

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Developers are often pressured to make whatever is popular instead of pushing the creative limits of gaming. Mid-tier games would allow developers to make more experimental titles on a budget that wouldn’t potentially sink the company.

Older games like God Hand and Primal took abstract ideas and incorporated them into decently-polished titles. The budget might not have been the biggest, but it was enough to give gamers a fun and unique experience.

Mid-tier games would also give gamers a wider variety of games to choose from. Some genres are becoming more niche and therefore harder to come by. Developers don’t want to spend all their time making a AAA game that will only target a small audience.

However, a mid-tier game would allow developers to make a smaller title that would please that niche audience. The game could still turn a profit, since it would have a much smaller budget than a AAA title. Dying genres like stealth and beat ‘em ups could potentially be resurrected if mid-tier games made a comeback.

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Most AAA games are pretty long, with many running longer than 40 hours. Sometimes gamers want a shorter experience that is still very rewarding.

Mid-tier games are usually much shorter due to smaller budgets. These games would be perfect for video game fans that don't have a lot of down-time but still want to finish a game. Many older mid-tier games are less than 20 hours, which is plenty of time to have a rewarding gaming experience. Players can complete the game before it grows stale or feels like it's been lingering too long.

AAA games and indie titles are great, but there should still be room for games that fill the gap between them. There are still a few mid-tier games out there such as Vampyr and A Way Out, but not nearly as many as there used to be.

Mid-tier games are great for both developers and gamers. They allow more creative freedom at a lower cost for developers and please gamers looking for something different. The latest PlayStation 5 live stream showed off quite a few potentially mid-tier games. Maybe the tide in the game industry is changing and there will be a resurgence of mid-tier titles. The next generation looks promising for not just AAA gaming, but mid-tier gaming as well.

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