Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks shared his optimistic outlook on the upcoming sci-fi RPG Exodus, developed by Archetype Entertainment, a studio founded by former BioWare developers. In an interview for The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Cocks expressed confidence in the game, slated for release in the first half of 2027, noting he has already experienced an early version.
Cocks also discussed the current state of the video game industry. He pointed out a slowdown in market growth and a significant increase in the cost of developing AAA projects, which can now require over a thousand human-years of work. Consequently, publishers are increasingly seeking partnerships with studios in regions with lower operational costs, such as Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, Cocks commented on the role of artificial intelligence in game development. While acknowledging the current negative player sentiment towards AI, he anticipates that, over time, AI will find ways to enhance gameplay and make games more engaging. He specifically noted that current Hasbro projects, including Exodus, Magic: The Gathering, and Dungeons & Dragons, are not utilizing AI in their video game development processes.