I’ve always enjoyed playing games as a way to de-stress and escape from the everyday grind. However, I’ve found that games have become increasingly dull and repetitive in recent years.
I think there are a few reasons for this.
First, many games are now designed to be as addictive as possible. This means that they often rely on repetitive gameplay and reward systems that keep players hooked, even when the games themselves aren’t particularly engaging.
Second, the gaming market is becoming increasingly crowded. This means that more games are competing for our attention, and it’s harder to find truly unique and innovative games.
Finally, I think our own tastes have changed as we’ve gotten older. As we get older, we tend to have less time and energy to devote to gaming, and we’re also more likely to be looking for games that offer more depth and complexity.
In my opinion, the biggest problems with games today are:
Pay-to-win
Pay-to-win games are a blight on the gaming industry. They are designed to exploit players’ desire to compete and win, and they often ruin the experience for those who are unwilling or unable to spend money.
Players who are willing to spend more money have a significant advantage over those who are not. This can make the game impossible to win.
When players can purchase in-game items that give them a significant advantage, it destroys the game’s competitive balance. This makes the game less fun for everyone involved.
In my opinion, pay-to-win games should not exist. They are unfair, they are uncompetitive, and they are a waste of time and money.
Give me your time
There are also games that do not require players to pay money but require a lot of time to progress. These games often have a lot of content, and players can spend hours or even days exploring the world, completing quests, and levelling up their characters.
While some people enjoy spending a lot of time in games, I find it to be a waste of time.
Open-world games
Open-world games are a popular genre but often have two main problems.
The world is too big. This can make it tedious to travel from one location to another, especially if you are on foot. It can also be difficult to find your way around, especially if the world is not well-designed.
The side quests are repetitive. Many open-world games have a lot of side quests, but they often involve the same basic tasks: go to a location, kill an enemy, or collect an item. This can get boring quickly, and it can make it difficult to stay motivated to complete the game.
Multiplayer with randoms
I enjoy multiplayer games because they are always different. Everyone can play differently, and even if the game has a single map, it can still be a lot of fun.
However, playing with random players without communication can be very frustrating. You might end up playing with kids, people who are new to the game, or people who are just testing the game out. They might disconnect in the middle of the game, kill their teammates, or just not play the objective. This can make it very difficult to win, and it can ruin the fun of the game.
Repeatability
I’ve been playing games since the 90s, and I’ve seen a lot of changes in the industry over the years. One of the biggest changes is the increasing level of repetitiveness in games.
In the early days of gaming, there was a lot of innovation. New games were constantly breaking new ground, and there was always something new to experience. But as the industry has matured, there has been a trend towards copying and reusing successful formulas. This has led to a lot of games that feel very similar to each other.
As a gamer who’s been around for a while, I often find myself feeling like I’ve played a game before, even if it’s a new release. And while there are still some great games out there that break the mould, they’re becoming increasingly rare.
Summary
I must clarify that not all games are bad. There are still some excellent ones out there. However, finding these gems has become increasingly challenging, particularly when avoiding pay-to-win schemes, monotonous open-world formats, games that consume excessive time, and those that lack originality, merely imitating other titles.
Games should prioritize fun and enjoyment. I don’t mind paying for a game or subscribing to a service if it offers a rewarding experience. I seek games I can play when I have time and for as long as I desire without unfairly impacting my chances of winning. I value games that rely on intellect and skill, rather than one’s financial resources and time investment, to achieve success.