“On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But, in my heart, I am a gamer.” - Satoru Iwata
Remember when you were a kid? You either went to the mall, a bowling alley, or a local pizza joint and played nonstop with one of the arcade machines. You got your home consoles from Sony, Nintendo, or Microsoft. How about playing your Gameboy, PSP, or DS to the Switch? Gaming was not only a significant role in nerd and geek culture; it was our way to escape the real world for a while, play our favorite characters, and be invested in what we paid for. But, as time keeps moving forward and the world is getting more exaggerated, gaming these days is hardly the same anymore. Here are the reasons why modern gaming is terrible.
Annoying Add-ons and Microtransactions
One of the most annoying things why modern gaming is terrible is the dumb add-ons and microtransactions we have to pay for after buying a physical copy of the product. Remember unlocking rewards, a prize, or earning fake currency after beating a difficult boss battle or an impossible challenge? Why do we have to pay more money for unnecessary add-ons or characters who couldn’t make it in the game before release day? I wouldn’t mind paying for an expansion that continues the game’s story like Batman: Cold, Cold, Heart, and Harley Quinn’s Revenge & Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course.
Graphics Over Art Style & Storytelling
Another reason I don’t like modern gaming is that game studios often rely on advanced graphics which results in the games looking way too realistic to the point it’s like I’m watching a big-budget movie (and don’t get me started on longer cutscenes). While advanced graphics can be beneficial for some games, it’s the art styles that give a game its unique identity along with a well-written story being presented. Graphics can age quickly, but art styles remain timeless and well-developed, making the games memorable.
Censorship and Unnecessary Changes
It’s no surprise that censorship has always been a frustrating issue in all forms of arts and media, and video games are no expectation whether the reasons are understandable at times or really irritating. Censorship hurts both the artists and frustrates the consumers. One recent example is the messy treatment of Dragon Quest 3 HD Remake, which disrespected the legacy of the late great Akira Toriyama. Other example includes Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, and Silent Hill 2 Remake. Overall, censorship and terrible changes can ruin the artistic expression and the hard work of the people behind the original projects, particularly in gaming.
Online Toxicity
Do you remember a time when we could invite friends for either get-togethers or sleepovers and play games together? It’s great competing to see who is the best player, as long as we maintain a “win some, lose some” mindset and practice good sportsmanship. However, nowadays, many online gamers take themselves too seriously and forget to have fun. They often make distasteful remarks, deliver insensitive insults, troll other players, and issue threats without facing any consequences.
The Constant Holding Our Hands
Older video games encourage players to experiment and explore in order to complete levels, gain unlockables or abilities, and progress through the game. In contrast, many modern developers restrict gamers by guiding them too rigidly, whether through clearly marked paths to follow or by providing excessively easy hints. It's not only annoying, but it ruins the fun.
Greed
Lastly, another reason why I don’t like modern gaming is that the business itself suffers from creative and commercial bedrock. Resulting in overpriced products, poor working conditions within, developers demanding more money(including tips), releasing rushed and unpolished games to the masses, lack of creativity and passion, and paying monthly subscriptions to play online. One notable example of greed is Sony’s upcoming product the PS5 Pro will feature overused graphics and come with no disc drive while the upcoming Nintendo Switch will be updated, but remain the same as the original.
In summary, 90% of modern gaming has become less enjoyable for anyone. I could give more reasons why modern gaming is bad, but this would be a very long op-ed. I really wish game studios would follow Iwata’s gaming philosophy and mindset when it comes to video games. For game lovers in PCCC, here’s a little list of the best and some good games you should look at:
No Straight Roads
The Bayonetta Trilogy
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
Hi-Fi Rush
Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8
Stellar Blade
Atomic Hearts
Hogwarts Legacy
Spongebob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake
Black Myth: Wukong
Poppy Playtime
Sonic Frontiers and Sonic X Shadows: Generations(if can tolerate the unnecessary changes of Amy and Rouge)
Tomb Raider: The Remastered Series
Princess Peach: Showtime
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Sand Land (for any Dragon Ball fans; this was Akira Toriyama’s last work before his passing)
Astro Bot
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