Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley has highlighted an emerging trend in gaming that’s changing how studios approach development: the rise of successful mid-tier games. During a recent interview, Kingsley pointed to titles like Expedition 33 and Rebellion’s Atomfall as prime examples of games that deliver high-quality experiences without requiring enormous budgets.
“We’re seeing the rise of mid-tier games that aren’t the most expensive thing in the world,” Kingsley explained, noting that these projects strike a balance between creative ambition and financial practicality. These games typically have substantial development budgets in the $5–40m range but far below the $100–200m+ investments that major AAA titles now demand.
French developer Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 represents a perfect case study. The turn-based RPG blends traditional elements from classics like Persona and Final Fantasy with real-time action features like parrying and dodging. Despite having a smaller team and budget than typical AAA releases, the game has earned critical acclaim for its striking art direction, innovative gameplay, and strong narrative.
Rebellion’s own Atomfall further shows off this approach. Set in an alternate-reality 1950s Britain with folk horror and Cold War themes, the game shows how studios can create distinctive experiences through smart scoping and focused development rather than massive production investments.
This comeback of mid-tier development comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. AAA game budgets have ballooned in recent years, leading to extended development cycles, increased financial risk, and high-profile failures. These factors have prompted developers and publishers to reconsider their approach.
The shift is happening thanks to things like more accessible development tools like Unreal Engine 5 and alternative publishing models such as Xbox Game Pass, which help these games reach wider audiences. Kingsley noted that tools and technology improvements have made it possible for smaller teams to create experiences that “feel AAA” to players without requiring hundreds of developers.
Bigger isn’t always better
Industry observers see this trend as a healthy correction to the market. Mid-tier games dominated the industry until the late 2000s, when the market polarized toward either indie or blockbuster AAA production. Their comeback signals a return to more sustainable development practices that prioritize creative gameplay over sheer production value.
Kingsley’s observations line up with broader industry talks about finding the sweet spot between ambition and practicality. As he put it, these games prove that “not everything should try to be the never-ending live service or the immaculate super game,” suggesting that focused experiences with reasonable scope may represent the future for many studios.
