The Mathematical Reality Behind the "Enshitification" of Everything
Recently, we've witnessed a pervasive decline in the quality and originality of products across various industries—a phenomenon commonly referred to as the "enshitification" of everything. At its core, this issue stems from the sheer size of companies and teams, all of which need to get paid. This financial necessity creates a limited runway for these large entities, forcing them to prioritise profit over innovation.
Consider the astronomical budgets of movies and games today. These projects are often heavily subsidised by venture capital, banking on the hope of future profitability. Such massive undertakings cannot afford to be reactive or experimental. Every decision carries risks that can cost millions within a quarter, just in salaries alone. As a result, any new initiative requires approval from multiple layers of management, culminating in a decision-maker who may have little context about the original proposal.
This decision-maker, facing high stakes and lacking specific insights, tends to rely on what has worked elsewhere. They might mandate that your project incorporates an AI component simply because another project found success with it. Introducing something entirely new is nearly impossible in this environment. Your innovative idea is deemed too risky without data to support its potential success.
So, what can you do?
Break Free and Create Independently
Don't confine your creativity to company time. If you're disillusioned by the uninspiring games churned out by large studios, consider developing your own. Whether as a solo indie developer or part of a small team of passionate individuals, you have the freedom to experiment and innovate without the bureaucratic hurdles.
If you're convinced a particular feature will resonate with your target audience, build a minimum viable product (MVP). Showcasing initial sales and demonstrating a steady monthly recurring revenue (MRR) can prove that your idea is worth further investment.
For those who feel that current movies lack heart, take the initiative to produce something fresh and original. By stepping away from corporate constraints, you can create meaningful and unique content.
The Advantage of Being Small
Breaking away from the "fiduciary duties" that compel companies to chase profit at all costs is neither simple nor easy, and success is not guaranteed. However, the potential rewards are significant. In software development, for example, you can create an MVP and position yourself as a startup founder. You can offer a product with your unique spin, testing your ideas in the market. Your operational costs will be a fraction of those incurred by giant corporations, allowing you to charge less while potentially making a more significant profit margin. With fewer employees, there's a larger slice of the pie for everyone involved.
Considerations and Challenges
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Regulated Industries: Be cautious when entering oligarchical industries with heavy regulations and costly red tape. The expenses associated with audits and compliance might hinder the viability of your MVP or limit customer acquisition.
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Time Investment in Games: Developing a game, especially one with a compelling story and polished execution, is time-consuming. You'll likely build it in your spare time, and post-launch challenges like marketing, piracy, and distribution can be significant headaches.
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Collaborative Efforts in Film: Creating movies or serialised productions comes with its own set of challenges. Unlike software or games, film projects require real-time collaboration with actors, set designers, costume designers, directors, videographers, lighting technicians, screenwriters, and editors. Monetising such a project adds another layer of complexity. While your costs may be significantly lower than those of larger studios, you may face similar profitability challenges, especially if your vision doesn't align with mainstream investor interests.