In our columns section we ask various local gamers for their opinions on certain topics. These articles are meant to create lively debate, and the opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect those of MyGaming. Are you a decent writer with a cool idea for a column? Let us know in the comments section.
Maybe something is seriously wrong with me. At times I feel as if I am drifting away from the hobby I adore and have spent most of my life pursuing, becoming largely disillusioned with the current crop of popular games. While I still do find enjoyment in new releases such as L.A. Noire, I also find them hollow and soulless. Why is this happening?
PLEASE! Just shoot me now and put me out of my misery.
Change of (Gaming) Life
Gaming needs to evolve to remain relevant. But, is it just me or are certain games lacking soul lately, with an overwhelming trend toward being heavily action orientated.
This does not seem to bother a majority of gamers. Instead, a large portion of gamers consider this generation the best to date, and perhaps it is, for them. Anyone who adores action-centric games will be in seventh heaven as things stand now. Action games have never been better, with impressive visuals and over-the-top set-pieces really placing you in the hero’s seat. But where have all the good JRPGs gone? Where are the Adventure games with AAA budgets, or the simulators? These days I have to get much of my RPG fix from the hybrid titles like Borderlands.
First-Person-Shooter-Role-Playing Game
Often I feel as if I am a crazed addict looking for my next RPG fix and I can never seem to get a proper hit. I end up wasting hundreds of Rands on games that I end up generally disliking. I then resort to playing old titles, and dwelling in the past – not a good situation.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I DO enjoy a good action game. I enjoy it about as much as I enjoy a good Hollywood blockbuster. My complaint is that there are just too many at this point. As the cliché goes, variety is the spice of life, and right now I am drowning in fast-food!
Action, action everywhere, action, action do I care?
We have to ask ourselves, “why this deluge of action titles?” Perhaps gaming has gotten to a point where it is almost too big for itself. Each game requires such an incredible financial investment to meet modern standards that certain genres are just not that viable anymore. Action titles right now are the safe bet. Also, the market has changed. The way I see it, us old school gamers generally tend to prefer slower paced experiences, leaving the high-intensity stuff for our younger brethren. Sadly, it seems we are outnumbered, and publishers naturally focus on the larger market.
So now I return to the original question: can one grow out of gaming? Well, I do not think so. I believe that gaming outgrows the person when it takes a new direction.
Don’t get me wrong. I do not blame young gamers, consoles or the like. They are doing nothing wrong. If anything, I blame people like myself for being unable to evolve adequately.
So, where does that leave the forgotten gamers and genres? Some of us will evolve and acquire a taste for the contemporary, while others may just be hanging in there, hoping for change. Of course some will stop gaming all together, and many more will stick to replaying games from a forgotten time.
Are you a jaded gamer? Share your thoughts in the forums
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