Due to the way corporations work, how big gaming as a field got, economics, focus testing, IPs, generally being risk averse and every other reason why movies suck now compared to the 80s gaming did the same.
Did you notice? Except in gaming the peak wasn't the 80s but 90s-10s whilst it was still bubbling underground and then into the build up to making it big with commercial success and acceptance. That totally killed all forms of creativity because underneath all the "ooh shiny" we're looking at ancient gameplay techniques that really aren't that much fun if you think about it.
People don't because they game to escape boredom and frustrating lives and are happy with something slightly less inane than their usual day to day. Thing is if you're connoisseur type of nerd you see through that crap and realize what it is:
Stale, safe recycling dressed up in new clothes.
Hark back to the 80s and you had something in movies that isn't in todays mainstream titles:
Originality.
People tried something different. Some hit, some didn't... But you had choice. Gaming was similar during the 90s onwards as it was coming into its golden age with astounding titles that generated neural newness from their experience. Now its pretty much just a retread. On the flip TV is having a golden age but thats mainly because they finally get to create as much depth and world building as a novel as opposed to trying to cram it all into 90 minutes.
Am I wrong or is it truly a case of play one (in a genre) you've played them all. Even consider RPGs, that most staid of trope laden titles. These days they're virtually identical in every respect. First Person Shooters - same. Racing games - don't exist any more. At least not the ones I want to play. Platformers - Its not Mario but here's a game equivalent of that off brand third party controller your cousin would try and palm you off with back in the days for 2 player action.
See where I'm going with this? This new "Lets make everything open world" trend is another sign of the homgenization of gaming as everything becomes like everything else in a bizzaro world style of inclusivity.
Its why the Wii U should've been much bigger than it was because the second screen bought something new to the mix and it was a great concept that could've revolutionized gaming if handled right. Now we've got the watered down Switch which is simply the same as everyone else yet less shiny and almost portable. Sad as N were one of the few who still captured the spirit of gaming and sense of wonder it can generate when done right.
Can you see how the charm and uniqueness has been slowly sucked out of the industry and how people just accept any old dross as long as it keeps them distracted and mildly entertained. TLDR generation will be getting their Adderal twitch slash ADHD itch slash Dopamine distracted glaze in their eye before they even get passed the thread title but you, you know what I mean, don't you?
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to roll a hoop down the street with a stick. Real entertainment. No DLC required.
Did you notice? Except in gaming the peak wasn't the 80s but 90s-10s whilst it was still bubbling underground and then into the build up to making it big with commercial success and acceptance. That totally killed all forms of creativity because underneath all the "ooh shiny" we're looking at ancient gameplay techniques that really aren't that much fun if you think about it.
People don't because they game to escape boredom and frustrating lives and are happy with something slightly less inane than their usual day to day. Thing is if you're connoisseur type of nerd you see through that crap and realize what it is:
Stale, safe recycling dressed up in new clothes.
Hark back to the 80s and you had something in movies that isn't in todays mainstream titles:
Originality.
People tried something different. Some hit, some didn't... But you had choice. Gaming was similar during the 90s onwards as it was coming into its golden age with astounding titles that generated neural newness from their experience. Now its pretty much just a retread. On the flip TV is having a golden age but thats mainly because they finally get to create as much depth and world building as a novel as opposed to trying to cram it all into 90 minutes.
Am I wrong or is it truly a case of play one (in a genre) you've played them all. Even consider RPGs, that most staid of trope laden titles. These days they're virtually identical in every respect. First Person Shooters - same. Racing games - don't exist any more. At least not the ones I want to play. Platformers - Its not Mario but here's a game equivalent of that off brand third party controller your cousin would try and palm you off with back in the days for 2 player action.
See where I'm going with this? This new "Lets make everything open world" trend is another sign of the homgenization of gaming as everything becomes like everything else in a bizzaro world style of inclusivity.
Its why the Wii U should've been much bigger than it was because the second screen bought something new to the mix and it was a great concept that could've revolutionized gaming if handled right. Now we've got the watered down Switch which is simply the same as everyone else yet less shiny and almost portable. Sad as N were one of the few who still captured the spirit of gaming and sense of wonder it can generate when done right.
Can you see how the charm and uniqueness has been slowly sucked out of the industry and how people just accept any old dross as long as it keeps them distracted and mildly entertained. TLDR generation will be getting their Adderal twitch slash ADHD itch slash Dopamine distracted glaze in their eye before they even get passed the thread title but you, you know what I mean, don't you?
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to roll a hoop down the street with a stick. Real entertainment. No DLC required.