What does the term “AAA-game” mean?

Today this abbreviation is actively used in the game industry to denote projects with high quality level and big budgets. However, the history of this term and its exact definition cause a lot of questions and discussions among industry professionals.

Initially, the term “AAA” was used in the late 90s to denote projects with a high potential for commercial success.

Over time, its meaning has expanded, and now AAA games are those created by major studios with large budgets and high quality expectations. Some critics and developers believe that this concept has lost its relevance, as technology allows even small studios to create games that are not inferior in quality to large projects.

In addition, there were attempts to introduce the category of “AAAA-games”, which were supposed to denote projects of even higher level, but many experts are skeptical of this division, considering it a marketing move.

The diversity of opinions about the meaning of the term “AAA” in the game industry indicates its evolution and changing perception of the industry itself and its products.

Modern technology and changes in the game development process mean that even small studios can create products that can compete with major releases. This emphasizes the importance of innovation and creativity in the process of creating video games, regardless of their budget or marketing category.