Can you have too much of a good thing? (Microsoft)
A reader advises against too much negativity amongst gamers, even as he admits there are serious problems – including too many cheap games.
Every week for what feels like the last three years I seem to see the same old complaints in letters and features.
Console manufacturers and developers are doing nothing to address the changes in gaming. Single-player games are dead. There are no first party games. Only live service games are being made. Gaming is too expensive. The games industry is going to crash. Gaming is dying.
None of these things are true.
Or at least, while some part of these statements have an element of truth to them, the reality is a lot more complicated, though a lot less satisfying. Too often we prefer things to be black and white. To hear things that will make us angry, shake our fist, and blame someone. Anyone. This can prompt us to jump to conclusions, often muddling cause and effect.
Obviously, gaming is changing. As we start to reach the point where the cost of improving graphics gets more expensive, and difficult to discern, it’s harder and harder to justify AAA games and new hardware. With gamers sticking to older machines, a wealth of free games on offer via PS Plus, Game Pass, etc., and backwards compatibility there’s less of a reason to buy new games and new consoles.
It’s a shift that has benefitted Nintendo’s lower tech approach, though that’s exacerbated the problem for Sony and Microsoft as their in-house games have seen even fewer sales. Manufacturers and developers have tried a range of options to try and address these changes: tiered pricing, going direct to consumer, AA games, multiplatform games, live service games, Game Pass, mobile and VR consoles, increasing the cost, DLC, etc.
Though none of these approaches has worked entirely, and in some cases has made things worse, it’s equally unclear what the right approach is at this stage. This would make an interesting feature, if it can avoid the classic one-eyed ‘make games better and priced lower, lol’ blunder.
Most games being released remain single-player, though they compete for time against the wealth of multiplayer and live service games that constantly demand our time. You can see why some execs may look at this and think that means live service games are the answer, but it’s clear that there’s even less room for those, unless they can carve out a niche within the existing pack – and that’s tough. As a result, we’ve seen a few – not loads – and they’ve been largely unsuccessful.
It’s hard to get away from the fact that there’s been lots of excellent games of varying types over the last few years though – just look at GC’s top 20 lists. The problem is finding time to play them all!
Which brings me to gaming being too expensive. The problem interestingly is that, if anything, it’s just too cheap. Even ignoring inflation, compared to most hobbies gaming overwhelms us with cheap options. Game Pass, PS Pls, sales, freebies, Gameshare, back catalogue, and free to play games. I’ve really spent very little on gaming this year, and I’ve spent a loooot of time playing games. I suspect many others are the same. The end result is that I’m spending more time gaming, but less and less money on new games.
So, that’s a problem to be solved then, and there are more coming, but that doesn’t mean that an industry crash or collapse is at all likely. Back in the ‘80s the industry was just finding its feet, but these days there is simply too much momentum (even if it is slowing) and too many platforms, gamers, and stakeholders to satisfy. To be blunt, there’s simply too much money on the table.
There will no doubt be changes, and in practical terms these will likely be developers, publishers, and manufacturers folding, but there will be replacements as the industry slowly pivots. Maybe that’s Microsoft dipping out of console making, only to be replaced by Valve’s Steam Deck.
Maybe Nintendo slowly gain more market share at Sony’s expense, as the flatlining top end of gaming performance means that Nintendo’s consoles can play the most demanding third party games as well as all the Nintendo first party software.
Theres a lot still to enjoy in gaming, and it’s easy to sour that by subscribing to a negative narrative, looking back at gaming’s past through rose-tinted specs. I’m not suggesting that we all subscribe to an unwarrantedly optimistic future either, but to simply admit that we don’t know. Until we do, let’s continue to enjoy all the excellent games out there presently. Happy Christmas!
By reader Matt (he_who_runs_away – PSN ID)
Free games are everywhere (Sony)
The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.
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