April 21st 2024.
As a 42-year-old, I wouldn't exactly consider myself ancient. Sure, I may not be into the latest TikTok trends or eSports, but I don't feel like a complete fossil either. In fact, there have been a few occasions where my kids have actually enjoyed spending time with me. However, according to a recent Reader's Feature, traditional video games are only meant for adults. And if that's the case, then I have to wonder, when do these adults even find the time to play?
The article made a compelling argument that publishers are now focused on creating live service games, and as a result, traditional single-player games are no longer targeted towards kids. Instead, they are geared towards adults, despite not being the intended audience. While the reasoning behind this is well thought out, I can't help but disagree with the notion that kids aren't interested in consoles. Especially when I'm constantly fighting for control of the TV with my children. However, my main issue is not with the writer, but with the logic of the publishers. As adults, we simply don't have the luxury of spending endless hours playing 60+ hour games.
The writer envisions a future where there are separate games for kids and adults. Games like Fortnite and mobile games for kids, and traditional single-player games for adults. However, I can think of several reasons why this would never happen. But the main reason being that we just don't have enough time to dedicate to lengthy games. Maybe I'm alone in this, but I highly doubt it. I love playing video games, but between work and taking care of my family, I barely have any time to sit down and play. And when I do, some games are just too overwhelming and intimidating for me to even know where to begin.
Take Baldur's Gate 3 for example. I tried playing it the other day, but it took me so long to figure out the controls that the thought of spending another 100 hours playing it was daunting. I don't play video games to feel like I'm taking an exam. I want to relax and have fun. The ironic thing is that I believe a lot of older players would actually prefer short, attention-grabbing games that are typically associated with kids. But the problem is, these games are not targeted towards adults, leaving us with limited options that fit within our busy schedules.
On the other hand, kids have all the time in the world, but the games aimed at them are often simplistic and lack depth. So the only way for them to get longevity out of these games is to keep replaying them or turning them into a social activity, rather than focusing on the gameplay or story. It's clear that the video game industry has it backwards. Games for kids need to be longer and more complex, while games for adults need to be shorter and more straightforward (or at least more focused).
As we've seen in the past few months, it seems like no one in charge of the gaming industry really knows what's going on. And I would argue that they are getting more things wrong than they realize. It's time for a change. Let's have games that cater to all ages and lifestyles, rather than just one specific demographic. After all, we all deserve to have fun and enjoy gaming, regardless of our age.
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