Ex-Assassin’s Creed Director: AAA Studios Misguidedly Rely on Large Teams, Future Lies with Smaller Crews

Alexandre Amancio, the former creative director for Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Unity, argues that AAA studios are making a mistake by relying on large teams to tackle game development challenges. He believes the future of game creation lies in smaller, more agile teams.

With AAA game development budgets skyrocketing—GTA 6 is rumored to have surpassed $1 billion in production costs—expectations for sales have also surged. This puts immense pressure on developers, who often bear the brunt of financial losses when games fail to meet these inflated targets.

In contrast, studios like Sandfall Interactive, known for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, are adopting a different approach. They utilize a small core team while outsourcing additional work to various developers. Amancio seems to endorse this model, as he shared his thoughts on the matter.

When asked about the necessity of large teams in AAA game development, Amancio stated, “I don’t think we do. And I don’t think it’s tenable.” He elaborated on the inefficiencies that can arise in larger teams.

“Many AAA studios mistakenly believe that throwing more people at a problem will solve it,” he explained. “However, adding more personnel can actually hinder the efficiency of those already working on the issue, creating unnecessary noise.”

He advocates for smaller core teams that can be supplemented with outsourced work or co-development for specific tasks. “I think the future lies in smaller teams,” Amancio said. “We can learn from other industries where core teams are complemented by outsourcing or co-development for particular needs. This way, you have the right crew for the right project at the right time.”

In related news, as Ubisoft closes a recently unionized studio, the workers’ union has announced plans to “pursue every legal recourse” to safeguard employees’ rights.