The current model of triple-A game development is fundamentally broken, according to former Trion Worlds general manager and CCO Scott Hartsman.

Speaking with Massively, Hartsman made it clear that he was talking about the system rather than companies or individuals.

“I don't know of anyone who's hired with the intent of treating people disposably. No one ever wants that, even the companies frequently perceived as ‘evil’,” he said.

“The industry is generally full of good, smart people trying to create the best entertainment they can. I think what's become broken is the traditional AAA style of development and distribution, MMO or otherwise.”

The current system could not endure because triple-A projects had to be blockbusters just to sustain everyone in the gaming ecosystem, said Hartsman.

"The movie model worked when companies could absorb missteps and teams could hopefully learn from their mistakes to fight another day, he said.

“As the absolute costs go up, fewer and fewer companies are capable of doing so. That's what's broken."

However, that was good news for independent development, said Hartsman, with more creators choosing to leave large-scale development behind.

“Stepping away gets easier every day in a world that now contains things to help you operate independently at a far lower cost, faster than ever before, from funding to accelerating your development, helping you host, helping you bill, helping you distribute, helping you analyze, and so on,” he said.

“Take a look the biggest games startup success stories over the past few years. Which ones operate outside the old AAA ecosystem (Riot, Mojang, and SuperCell come to mind), and which are inside of it? Have there been any inside of it?”

“With any luck, we'll see more endeavors where the balance of power returns to the product creators and the audiences they're trying to serve in the most direct relationship possible -- where everyone involved is a "product person" whose sole mission is to best serve the customer. That's powerful and exciting."

Last week, it was rumoured that up to 80 per cent of Trion Worlds staff lost their jobs in a round of layoffs – a figure the company called "grossly exaggerated".