Video Games Are Being Destroyed

This topic may not resonate with everyone reading this, but believe me, there is a deeper meaning here beyond the obvious. I am going to talk about games—yes, video games—specifically those that do not stop pouring out new content, with the primary objective of monetizing and maintaining high player counts. 

You might be thinking that this is a good thing, especially if you do not play often or at all.

Without knowing too much about it, one might assume that having constant content to play with in a digital ecosystem is great: players stay entertained, and studios keep player counts up. But the reality is that these games do not do it for the sake of the player, but for the sake of money.

It is simple, really. What would you prefer: a one-time payment for a product, or four to six payments per year over three years? Games that do not stop pumping out content can charge players for far longer than those that require a single purchase.

This is seen across the gaming industry today. While much of it is driven by how greedy video game studios have become, sometimes we forget to point the finger at another

obvious perpetrator in this matter: the player. Us. It is difficult to blame the player and not get criticism. At the end of the day, we as players are the ones paying for a product, so we are

always right. 

But if players are also the ones complaining about a greedy industry and subpar games, then we need to stop playing these types of games that just want to hook us with more and more pumped-out content. As a society, we have become accustomed to receiving content of every kind instantly, and lots of it.

This has translated to the gaming scene, as players find it harder and harder to sit through one game without needing a shot of dopamine and content that keeps them hooked. If they do not receive it, there is a simple answer: changing games, or going to the couch to scroll on TikTok for three hours.

Games do not need to be content machines. Players should not need huge updates every month just to remain entertained. This is a direct demonstration of what is happening to us as humans, thanks to the bombardment of content we receive each day online. Sometimes, we need to remember that we are allowed to unplug for a minute and enjoy things that do not demand constant updates or engagement.