Modern Problems...Any Solutions?

Fun can also come with frustration

If you're reading this blog, you know I love gaming. I think it goes beyond a simple hobby and should be considered an artistic medium with the potential to be an educational tool in certain scenarios. I won't hesitate to come to its defense… but I also know when to acknowledge its imperfections. As I thought more about the current state of gaming, I realized that there were some cracks in the industry as it stands. We've come a long way from getting dust in the cartridge, or accidentally tripping over controller wires, but that doesn't mean modern gaming isn't free from problems.

One of the most common issues that I have run into frequently is storage space. Games have massive file sizes, and there's even quite the difference from a decade ago. The problem is that it can be very easy to run out of storage, forcing consumers to purchase more. Based on the average file size of games currently, an individual can store about ten games on their system before needing to upgrade. That might seem like a lot, but it fills up fast, especially with update files and additional content being released. If you don't want to deal with the hassle of buying specific internal drives, external hard drives can often be an option. However, then you have to figure out what size of external drive, or remember which games are on which drive, or sometimes even transfer games back and forth from internal storage to external storage just so that they're playable. Console manufacturers are even known to recognize this problem but expect the consumer to pay more to fix it themselves.

I'm using an external hard drive as well as an additional internal drive, and still run into storage issues.

This next problem actually goes back several decades but has had a resurgence in the last few years- stick drift. For those who are unaware, stick drift is what happens when the mechanics of a controller's joystick are no longer properly aligned. This can cause the joystick to drift in one direction or the other, allowing accidental inputs to be made in a game. This may not seem like a big deal, until your character dies from walking into a trap or off a cliff because they think they're being told to continually go left. Imagine the camera slowly drifting to one side, forcing you to focus on fixing that rather than the task at hand. I've only had it happen a couple of times, but more and more players seem to be reporting it and it often requires the consumer to replace their controller. Nintendo was actually sued because their Switch controllers kept experiencing joystick drift. It does look like some companies are working on specific joysticks or mechanisms to prevent this problem, but they often cause the controllers to be more expensive.

My next gripe comes from pre-order bonuses and deluxe editions of games. In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that I have purchased some deluxe games and even pre-ordered several. But for the most part, I try and steer clear of these practices. Most game companies push for people to pre-order their copy so that they can be one of the first people to play it on launch day. They may even offer digital incentives or unique content for people who pre-order. The issue lies in the fact that pre-ordering is essentially a gamble. Most of the time, pre-order windows open up well before reviews have come in. You are taking a risk by paying full price for a game that may or may not live up to its expectations. I've had several games that I regret buying at full price or pre-ordering just because I had to be the first to have it. It doesn't mean that the games aren't fun, they just might not be worth the full price tag they're being sold at. Let's not forget the Deluxe and Premium editions of games, which are often sold at a higher MSRP than the standard version with very little to show for it.

The idea of games having yearly releases might sound enticing, but it can often damage a franchise. It's true that having a new title in a series every year might make consumers spend more money. However, all too often it's the same game with very minor tweaks and not worth the full price tag of a new release. There's also the fact that these games are often rushed to meet their deadline, making them incomplete and sometimes unplayable until a patch is released. In recent years, companies seem to be slowing down their release schedules. Assassin's Creed and Call of Duty games often have two or three years in between releases now, allowing the games to feel more polished and somewhat more of a worthy investment.

Sports games and action franchises are prime targets for yearly releases.

My final point has been a heavy topic of debate, particularly in recent years: the battle between physical and digital games. I've already written an article on this topic, so I'll try and keep this point brief. I'm not against digital games as a whole, but I do see the problems with digital being the only option. It's a lot harder for gamers to claim that they own a game without a physical copy. This means that ultimately the game companies or console manufacturers have a say in what happens to your content regardless of purchase price. Sony has recently come under fire for deleting users’ digital content and not providing them a way to access it otherwise. I own some digital titles myself, but I usually will end up picking a physical copy later down the line. That way, when the digital storefronts eventually get shut down, I still have a way to play my games.

It's clear in this article that I share a lot of my opinions, and it's fine if you disagree. Some individuals may argue that these problems aren't really problems at all and are just the new normal. It might be the new normal, but that doesn't mean that it's ultimately the better way to do things. I still enjoy gaming, and I see that the industry is making great strides in a lot of areas. I'm also willing to admit that gaming, just like a lot of entertainment industries, has specific flaws. If we want these flaws to be changed,  gamers need to make their voices heard.