Gaming is Dead, and We Killed It
Many of us are old enough to remember the golden age of gaming, from the arcade era with Space Invaders to the introduction of multiplayer matchmaking in Halo 2. It was an era where games were made with passion, love, and care — even without impressive graphics (compared to modern standards).
The Rise of Microtransactions: Paying for Content Piece by Piece
As online gaming grew in popularity, so did the industry’s natural desire to increase profits. Soon, it wasn’t enough to simply buy a game with a few DLCs and pay for online access, like Xbox Gold or PS Plus. At first, developers began introducing downloadable content (DLC), expansions, and other paid add-ons (nothing too crazy) to enhance gameplay; however, it soon became a way to squeeze more money out of players.
The Battle Royale Craze and the Era of Free-to-Play Games
Then came Fortnite, a game that changed the landscape of the industry forever. Fortnite was free-to-play, but it introduced the now-ubiquitous battle pass system. Players could purchase a battle pass to unlock exclusive rewards as they played, creating a cycle of constant engagement and spending. The fear of missing out (FOMO) kept players coming back, season after season, eager to complete their battle pass and earn the next round of rewards.
The Decline of Quality: When Profit Trumps Passion
As games became more about the bottom line, their quality began to suffer. Sadly, developers were no longer creating games out of a passion for the craft; they were creating products to appease shareholders. Games were rushed to market, often incomplete, with the promise that they would be “fixed later” through updates and patches — a lie.
The Rise of Whales: How a Small Percentage of Players Fuel the Industry
In the modern gaming landscape, it’s no longer necessary for a game to appeal to the masses. Instead, developers focus on “whales” — a very small percentage of players who are willing to spend exorbitantly on microtransactions. Gone are the days when games rewarded skill and dedication. Now, it’s all about how much you’re willing to spend.
But there is hope. Indie developers are still creating games out of love for the craft, and there are still titles out there that respect players.
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