I believe we're in the peak era of gaming.
I believe we're in the peak era of gaming.
Thanks for the suggestion. I plan to check it out since I really enjoy classic isometric RPGs like Fallout 2 and Shadowrun on the SNES. I loved the original Final Fantasy during its time, but I lost interest after it moved to 3D. Many PS1 and N64 titles now have a similar style to Virtua Fighter, which makes me rethink my views. Ocarina of Time also doesn’t seem to live up to expectations as much as I once thought, and Link to the Past has become my top Zelda choice.
Playing the game lander on a teletype when young and now enjoying Star Wars on my A10 7850k is incredible. Think back to the whole family gathered around, eager for my turn at pong on my older brother’s console—he just got one this Christmas. It wasn’t until later that I realized my dad looked surprised, recalling how amazed he was as a child when he received a brand new AM radio in the 1920s. My favorite gaming moments were when my wife laughed at me for shooting the scientist in Half Life and when my daughter giggled at me hitting a chicken in CS GO.
I believe we haven't yet reached the 'golden age.' Personally, I remember the early 2000s as the most enjoyable time, but now as an adult I see significant progress. Of course, micro-transactions and DLCs are problematic, but the industry still has a long way to go. Games like Bioshock Infinite, Shadow of Mordor, and Witcher 3 show that the gaming world is moving in the right direction, and as consumers we have a big influence on its future.
It's accurate in certain well-known instances. Not always the case for every situation. In fact, if triple-A titles faced financial constraints and had to cut spending, I wouldn't be too concerned. The used game market was just as substantial, if not larger, during that era you're referring to. It's similar to how people didn't purchase Shovel Knight, Super Meat Boy, FTL, or other titles that were visually striking yet made with modest budgets and still resonated strongly with players. Many popular games from the N64/PS1 period, especially those from developers just beginning 3D experimentation, have stood the test of time. They often became timeless because skilled artists crafted compelling experiences within technical limits. This perspective comes from someone whose gaming habits intensified significantly in the late '90s. *Of course, not all games were this great—just the visuals mattered.*