Video Games are a part of everyone’s childhood—our precious memories of playing with our siblings and enjoying the fun together. Over the years, the video game industry has grown exponentially, close to 500 billion dollars by 2030. However, for the past few years, there haven’t been titles that live up to the standards set by past nostalgic games. There could be several reasons why video games lack creativity, gameplay, or story. So, let’s get into some of the most prominent reasons discouraging video game fans.
Expensive Titles
Yes, the games today cost much more than in the last decade. It’s a fact, and even considering things like inflation or other economic parameters, some reasons can justify 50 dollars for a video game title. Also, many video game companies like Rockstar are looking for models similar to Software as a Service (SaaS) for the future of gaming.
Microtransactions
Skins and other in-game items are how multiplayer games are used to earn money. Since many multiplayer games are free to play, they have a right to earn. However, many gaming companies like EA have turned into farmers of microtransactions. They no longer care about players or what they want in the game. The only goal is to hook players up with skins and cards—similar to an online casino.
Not Listening To Fans
In the past, games were meant for fans and their interests. But nowadays, the last thing studios care about is the fans. Even the biggest games like Counter-Strike, LoL, Dota, or Valorant have disappointed their fans by not incorporating the feedback. It is a slap in the face of the community, which has invested so much time in video games.
Graphics Over Gameplay
A good video game culminates in graphics, storytelling, gameplay, design, and setting. Over the years, the quality of graphics in games has reached a whole other level. However, it’s not wrong to say that some studios nowadays only care about graphics, as if realism is everything. In reality, no one minds good graphics, but that is the only thing you’ll get in a game that doesn’t entertain the player.
Toxic Online Behavior
With the onset of the Internet, people have become more comfortable abusing each other on game servers. Anyone can get frustrated upon having a bad run in a video game, but that never justifies toxic behavior online. Thus, there is no point in people solo cueing in games that do not have a light-hearted community.
Increase In Cheaters In Multiplayer Lobbies
The biggest issue that an online game can have is cheaters. The low-esteem and insecure individuals who are never good at a game choose the path of cheating to disrupt the game for everyone. On top of that, with the latest tools, codes, and programs, the number of cheaters is increasing daily. The sad part is that companies are too busy to count revenue from game sales instead of developing better-detecting systems.
Decrease In Offline Features
There were days when you only needed a console and a game disc. You insert the disk and play for hours without any interruptions. However, with the Internet, not only is the era of discs at stake, but you can’t play some games without a stable internet connection. At the same time, whenever you start a game, chances are there are continuous updates that will ruin your mood.
Political Correctness
It is among the gaming community’s most highly debated and divided topics. But political correctness also ruined the most beloved series in the past few years. The themes of promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion have ruined some of the most beloved franchises, such as ‘The Last of Us.’ Moreover, studios do not care about fans and their feelings—they’re here to promote a particular agenda, and that’s it.
Final Thoughts: Indie Games Are Our Final Hope
Even though video game sales are reaching new heights, every gamer knows that the golden days of video games are in the past. Today, nothing good encapsulates the beauty of plugging in the virtual world. But this is not the end; many independent studios work hard for the fans and deliver quality games.
Thus, it is our responsibility to not only support indie developers but cherish their work with positive feedback. This is the only way to save the games from different generations.