The gaming industry has been providing titles to gamers for years. Gaming has been one of the most popular pastimes for decades and continues to be so in the modern era. Many studios take their time to create the next perfect titles that fans eagerly await, to get news and know the release date to know when they will finally be able to enjoy the next title.
However, The gaming industry seems to have run out of steam lately. The big studios don’t seem to want to create new original titles. And those that do take a long time to finish them, but most of them rush the release process for economic reasons and can sometimes leave a game unfinished, with a lot of bugs, which provokes general anger among players.
The golden age of gaming may be over according to some players, but there is still some hope. In other words, there are still studios pushing the boundaries of the industry and paving the way for future developments. Let’s review this to try to understand why the gaming industry has found itself in this delicate situation.
What makes classic games great?
When we look back and see games from the late 90s and early 2000s, we see some amazing titles. They may not be as beautiful as today’s, but they are classics for a number of reasons. The visuals are limited, they were limited by the technology of their time, but some of the gameplay mechanics are truly incredible.
This is also why older players play them like crazy because they are simply… well made! There are several examples of these titles online. For example, if you visit Cyberghostyou will find several titles of this type. They are classics because they were created at a time when creators had the time to complete their creative process, and often by enthusiasts. In other words, they were often created by gamers for gamers, which changes everything.
Originality was in full swing at that time and studios were willing to take risks and venture. However, they made sure that the games had the right kinds of mechanics, features, and stories. Sure, some gambling games were created, but even they are better than some titles today. What sets classic titles apart is the story.
This is the most captivating element of any video game. A good story will keep players coming back to a title, again and again. You can play as the main character, completing quests to defeat an evil overlord, meeting new characters, and creating a crew or clan. You can even take on the role of a villain without knowing it, or play as both the hero and the villain on different levels. It all depends on how well the story is adapted.
Nowadays, fewer gamers are interested in a story. There is an online craze that is sweeping the gaming world. Since everyone has an internet connection, they prefer to play with their friends rather than exploring virtual worlds alone.
The craze for online gaming, e-sports and the rejuvenation of the population
The popularity of online gaming, especially on PC and PlayStation, has increased significantly in recent years. This coincides with the more widespread availability of Internet (of good quality, especially with fiber and its reduced latency) and Wi-Fi in almost every home. But it also coincides with the rise ofe-sport.
In other words, playing video games is no longer just a hobby. It can become a career. Thanks to the rise of eSports, many gamers around the world are forming teams and training for the next championship. There are several titles that are very popular. These include League of Legends, DOTA 2, Counter-Strike, and many others.
The last factor that contributes to the online gaming craze is the youth of the gamers. They are born into a world where they are constantly exposed to online games. They like to spend time with their friends, and they can do it online. Video game companies have understood this growing trend of online gaming and have decided to add new titles to the pile. Some of them are better than others, while some are downright unimaginative and risk-taking.
Remakes instead of new games
In addition to the craze for online games, video game creators have decided to remake or remaster old titles. This is a good idea because current players will be able to experience quality titles, and the company will not have to technically produce a new title or a storyline. However, the quality of a remake varies considerably from vendor to vendor.
Some titles are very good and give an urban boost to a quality title. For example, many horror fans will agree that Resident Evil 2 remake is a job well done. Old school and new school players feel the same chilling vibes as they run through the police station, trying to defeat enemies with dwindling ammo and resources. In other words, the experience of the original game is carried over into the remake. As for bad examples of remakes, we can point to Rockstar’s remake of the GTA franchise.
Remakes can be good or bad, but they give the company a chance to recoup some of its money, without having to create a new game from scratch. Companies that do this show that they are not willing to take risks, but rather play it safe. Does this mean there is no hope for originality in gaming?
The exceptions
Of course, there are a few “renegade” triple-A studios that decide to create new titles and show players that originality still has a place in the world of video games. CD Projekt Red created the Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 series and continues to develop these franchises. There are also many independent developers who are in the niche of original games, albeit with fewer resources. So there is still hope for original titles in gaming.
Conclusion
Although the majority of the gaming industry is moving online due to the current craze for online gaming and the obsession with eSports, this market could well be oversaturated in a few years. The case for originality remains strong and some developers continue to prove it by creating truly innovative titles, hoping that players will buy into it so that this model can persist despite a tight economic climate.