I don’t think it’s about the size off the project but the crestivity, cohesion, gameplay and good storytelling.
There are plenty of counter examples like Witcher 3, Desth Starnding, Resident Evil Village and Cyberpunk (regardless of its rocky launch)
The issue with EA and Ubisoft nowadays is that they are not run by game designers but by MBAs and HR departments. There is very little room to disagree with the mandates and if the game must have x,y,z then you need to find a way to cram it regardless.
When you kill the creativity and don’t take bold risks, you kill innovation and ultimately suck the soul out of the game.
It's incredibly difficult to pick good creative things if you don't have the same spark their actual consumers do.
Sure, maybe someone is experienced, but they'll always be looking at it through a completely different lens than consumers. Eventually that creates a blind spot and understandings diverge disastrously.
There are plenty of counter examples like Witcher 3, Desth Starnding, Resident Evil Village and Cyberpunk (regardless of its rocky launch)
The issue with EA and Ubisoft nowadays is that they are not run by game designers but by MBAs and HR departments. There is very little room to disagree with the mandates and if the game must have x,y,z then you need to find a way to cram it regardless.
When you kill the creativity and don’t take bold risks, you kill innovation and ultimately suck the soul out of the game.
Games are a form of art after all.