August 10th 2024.
As I sit here, reminiscing over the early days of gaming, I can't help but notice how different things are now. Back when I was a child, my main source of entertainment was my trusty Mega Drive and games like Sonic The Hedgehog. But now, with my own children and the rise of live service games, the gaming industry has changed in ways I never would have imagined.
I know, it's a bit of a shocker for me to say this, considering I would have laughed at the idea just a year ago. But before I dive into my thoughts, let me clarify that I completely understand and agree with what others are saying about the current state of the gaming industry. We're all just a bunch of old-timers, sitting in our rocking chairs, reminiscing about the good ol' days and ranting about how things have changed. But this isn't to say that they're wrong. It's just a fact that things have changed and there's nothing we can do about it. And let's be real, we're not supposed to like it.
But let's take a step back and think about it. I, like many others, grew up in a very different world. My Mega Drive was my prized possession and I would proudly proclaim, "Back in my day, we only got one game per year, if we were lucky!" And let's not forget the struggle of having to blow into the cartridge to make it work. But what's interesting to think about now is, if we had the same infrastructure and technology that we have now, how much of the way we played games was out of necessity rather than choice?
Gaming has always been a big part of my life, especially during my teenage years when things were tough. I loved the challenge and would spend hours playing games like Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden on the hardest difficulty level. And even now, I still have my retro consoles to escape the world and flip through old issues of gaming magazines, muttering about how things used to be.
But my first love was Sonic The Hedgehog. I remember getting my Mega Drive and playing that game endlessly. My friends had other games, but I was a die-hard Sonic fan, with bedsheets, cups, and toys to prove it. Looking back, I wonder if the reason we were so attached to specific games was because of our limited options. But now, with the vast array of games and genres available, my children primarily play the infamous trio of Minecraft, Roblox, and *gasp* Fortnite.
I'll admit, I've played these games with my kids, and although they're not my cup of tea, I can see their appeal. And with the constant updates, new categories, and characters, these games have managed to keep players engaged for hours on end. I even found myself running alongside Michelangelo and Peter Griffin, wishing I had John Wick's character. It was all just pure role-play and absolute nonsense, but for that one hour, it was actually quite fun. And the best part? I didn't have to spend a single penny.
It made me think back to my childhood, where competing with friends in games wasn't the main focus. We just had fun, causing mayhem in games like GTA 3 and seeing who could get the most wanted stars. But now, with longer development times and higher costs, it's no wonder the younger generation isn't as attached to specific franchises.
And let's not forget the endless possibilities of in-game purchases. If we had the option to buy additional characters, levels, weapons, or stories on our retro consoles, would we have begged our parents for SegaBucks or NintendoCoins? I know I would have, especially if it meant my Sonic could have golden sneakers.
In conclusion, gaming has changed, and it will continue to change. And you know what? We're not supposed to like it. We can't expect it to fit into the parameters of what we grew up with. Gone are the days where we had to wait two years for a sequel. My daughter was born in 2009, and she's only seen one GTA game released in her lifetime. And who knows, she might be old enough to play GTA 6 when it's released. But if we think about it, in the same span of 13 years, from 2000 to 2013, how many GTA games were released? It's no wonder the younger generation isn't as attached to franchises.
So, before we criticize the current state of the gaming industry, let's take a moment to put things into perspective. And maybe, just maybe, we'll realize that we were lucky to have experienced the simpler days of gaming, but it's time for us to embrace the changes and appreciate the endless possibilities that the future holds. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find my way out of this desert in Fortnite.
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