GamesIndustry.biz interviewed Technical Director at 2K Boston Christopher Kline and discovered Kline feels there is no room between casual games and blockbuster hits. 2K Boston was the studio that developed BioShock, which was a huge hit. Kline said they came to realize there was no space left in the middle of casual games and big hit games for the Independent developer. The middle market was not going to sustain an independent developer, it was only going to get them the money spent on the game, but not make them a profit.

“I think what we realised, which really started that transition back at Irrational, we were doing games that I’d say were mid-budget – maybe USD 3-4 million – that there was no real market left,” he told GamesIndustry.biz.

Kline’s thoughts on the market are not really good for the consumer, but, if true, is good news for the casual games market. The casual games market can benefit from the independent developers that can’t market to the middle market. Those developers will bring new games and new ideas to the casual market. If 2K Boston has figured out there is no middle market, I am sure other developers have done so or will figure it out soon. Only a good thing for the casual games market.

Thanks PALGN