Console Gaming - Why Games Aren't Fun Anymore - Developers milk the consumer base!
Photo: HERE
Anyone that used to play games just after the 1980's crash where Nintendo pretty much singlehandedly saved the video game market can remember that games had a certain replayability factor to them that wasn't like crack cocaine. They were more like a home cooked meal overloaded with vegetables. Good and tasty, but satisfying.
In today's market, it has become like much of the processed food we eat today - unhealthy, feels good in the moment, but leads to feeling unsatisfied, headaches, and a rush of emotions. Yes, some of that can be blamed on the overall internet anonymous factor where people will rage on players, but they were still raging on their own before.
What I'm talking about here is desire by game developers to milk their consumers dry by delivering games that aren't finished. I'll leave you to this article of that lists just a few of the worst offenders. It tends to be the triple A titles that aren't finished. Many gamers call these broken games, and one writer makes the case that gamers are to blame for broken games (here).
"Processed Games"
We won't go into who's to blame on the consumer side today. No, we'll stick to the developers who have been progressively delivering us with more and more "processed games." What are processed games?
Games that are released with the intention to either (a) make money with microtransactions, (b) release a game before it's finished, and / or (c) specialize in putting dlc or paywalls in front of gamers.
(a) I have just written about microtransactions, but to put it simply, a game that used to cost you $50 to $60 is now costing that much, PLUS $1 to $30 with in-game purchases to actually enjoy the game's "full experience". Why? To make a quick buck. The game developers say it's because of inflation and the costs of developing games, but they really could make cheaper games look just a good. (coming from a development standpoint myself).
(b) Windwaker, Halo 5-Gaurdians, and Call of Duty have released before they were completely finished, and we call these games broken. Why were they released ahead of completion? Did the developers / producers run out of money? No. They had plenty of money, but they just wanted to release the game and make money. They knew gamers would eat it up. They knew that no matter how much their fanbase complained they could always apologize or say, "you don't know how much work it takes to create a game."
(c) Paywalls... the worst offender that can't be avoided, whereas microtransactions can be. In its older iteration, it was in the map packs in Halo 3 and others. In its current form, it can be seen in Destiny 1 where gamers were allowed to access raids and other features, only to be told to PAY FOR THE FEATURES already in game just because the developers could. Could someone link that article to me down in the comments? I couldn't find it anymore. They are also seen in games where it's "optional" whether you want to buy gold or whatever in game currency to build your tower faster or get certain weapons. Truly not a true experience.
Conclusion
So, what does all this really mean? Was this just a rant? No. Not completely. The video game playing experience on a console is fractured right now. While in the past you were able to play Mario from beginning to end, a microtransaction or paywall Mario game might look like this: You're playing and then die, but you have to wait 30 seconds before you can play again OR buy an instant life to play now! They could justify the fee by saying "it's safer for gamers to rest between each play because they need to rest," while really just laughing their butts off all the way to the cryptocoin wallet.
Games like Halo, call of duty, and more used to be fun for me, but they have been ruined by all of what I have said above. The games, when I play them, have become a stress in my life and I don't really enjoy them like I used to. I can pop in an older version of these games and can tell a lot has changed in only 10 years.
What are your thoughts? Are games still fun, or are they a drag. Comment, resteem and like! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
You are speaking for so many of us that remember waiting outside Game Stop for the latest version of our favorites. It was like a mild fever that's turned into a nasty cold. It is all about getting milked, to the point of criminality. Fraud, theft, lying, deception, you name it. Instant obsolecents of a newly purchased weapon or costume. If these weren't gaming platforms some of these people would have class action suits. It's bad my first game was Legend of Zelda on Nintendo, Those were the days! thanks for the thoughtful post.
Yeah, I've almost quit gaming completely, but seeing as I want to review them, that is at least some motivation to play them. If not for that and a few fun games by Nintendo and on the PC, I would have quit.
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STOPVery good article. The thing with console gaming nowadays is that it's very divided. People want their platform to be better, xbox or playstation. The problem here is that the companies behind them (microsoft and sony) milk this notion to no end by signing exclusive contracts to developers. This means that the consumer feels they need to either make a choice between the two or buy both(more money for sony and microsoft). Aside from that, video games are getting easier in recent years, which leads to multiple games being bought for 6 hour campaigns; when in the past, games had no guides, no internet, no cheese strats and were much more difficult. 1 game in the 90's would last you between 3-4 months, depending on the difficulty level and your free time. Nowadays, if you seriously sit down and play a game, it's about 6-30 hours. Some games do still have hundred hour styled premises, but mostly not.
This is a great response! You've got me thinking! I'll have to write an article about the shortening of games and the ease of play as well. I typically have thought Nintendo made their games easier, but even final fantasy and mortal kombat have as well.
I completely agree. It's no more sit down and play. It's more like short game, multiplayer online focus and then on to the next one.