Modern Games Are BROKEN and Here's Why

[@nood0]

I think this is my favorite video from Dutchess so far. I really resonate with it. The feeling of having so many games but no games at all is what i feel everyday when in a discord call with friends. Great video once again

[@Dutchess5]

I'm so happy to hear this has been your favorite video from me so far! 😊 It's definitely a disparaging feeling (if that's the correct word to use lol) and certainly overwhelming. I'm going to have to figure out a way to work through my backlog for the new year, that's for sure. And keep what I like while moving on from the stuff I dislike. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, friend! 😊

[@Syragar]

This is spot on! This is why, even though I have a big Steam library including modern games, I find myself playing mostly older games. Lately I've been playing the Castlevania collections and Atari 50. I was talking with someone about Metroidvanias (a game style I've always enjoyed) about how these different game genres didn't really exist in the early years of gaming. I mentioned that Metroid was groundbreaking for its time and that the phrase "Metroidvania" didn't exist until many years later. He's a lot younger than me... and that took him by surprise. He always thought of that style as Metroidvania, and didn't think about the idea that Castlevania: SotN didn't release until many years later... so the name of the genre couldn't have even existed before then. When video games were fairly new and we didn't have enough of them to fit into "genres"... that's when innovation and creativity in gaming was at it's peak. Don't get me wrong... it still happens today... but not as often as it should. Oh! Thanks for pointing out Dave the Diver. You video may have put that game in my "I should try that soon" list.

[@Dutchess5]

Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment! Really means a lot to me 😊 I completely get what you mean about finding yourself gravitating toward older games like Castlevania and the Atari 50 collection. There’s something timeless about them and how they made gaming feel more organic and unrestrained. And you’re so right about modern games sometimes feeling constrained by their genres or industry trends. It’s exciting when something truly creative sneaks through, but I wish we saw more of that spark we had in earlier gaming eras. I’m so glad Dave the Diver caught your interest! It’s one of those games that feels like a breath of fresh air in today’s gaming landscape. Let me know what you think if you try it-I’d love to hear your thoughts! 😊

[@Syragar]

@Dutchess5 Thanks! I've been going back and playing some old C64 games and also started messing with Starflight. It's an old game, but I'm trying to decide if I'm going play through the PC, Amiga, or Genesis version. Very unique little sci-fi RPG that I never got very far in back in the day. I'm probably going to give Dave the Driver a try soon as well. Looks different from anything else out there... that's a good thing!

[@MotherKojiro]

Absolutely nailed it: the irony is that the success of video games has made them one of the most profitable industries, and as a result, we don't have video game people leading video game companies; we have executives. Nintendo's a good example: I had some fun watching Reggie at shows, when he was president of NoA, but just through his speech and mannerisms, you could tell he didn't know much about games. The people at the top don't really understand the medium, and worse, they're like children who did a thing, and now they want to do nothing else. "Again! AGAIN!" The whole "HD2D" thing is a great example, too; it was an interesting novelty in Octopath Traveler, because even though it looked a little goofy sometimes with 2D charcters in a 3D world (without being Paper Mario, where that was the joke), the game was actually built around it in a way that makes sense. Instead of having invisible paths in dungeon walls, you could see a path trying to peek out from a distant chest, and it helped to lead you there; all these remakes in this style completely miss the point, because, "Again! AGAIN!" and the fans are swept up in it too, even though what they're doing isn't all that different from what Doom did in the '90s. It isn't just games, either; business in general is barreling toward a cyberpunk apocalypse at breakneck speed; the days of, "Make a quality product, and the customer will want to buy it," are long gone, because *we* aren't the customers anymore. We're just consumers; the real customers are the shareholders, and they don't know anything about the industry, either. I was also talking to my lady just the other day about another thing that I think is missing, too. We were talking about an old Civvie video where he jokes about cheese, and how I'd thought it was a signal that he was going to review Perfect Dark yet. She seemed confused, so I explained: there is a piece of cheese hidden in every stage somewhere. It doesn't do anything; it isn't collectible; there isn't any in-game metric to show whether or not you found it; it's just... there. Games today are designed so much around just getting the job done that you don't have that kind of thing anymore; MAYBE you'll have some kind of hidden collectible, but guaranteed: that's going to get you an achievement for finding them all; there is *something* driving you toward it, rather than having it just for fun. I miss having empty rooms that look neat for no reason, strange one-off enemies, and other little surprises that don't serve any real purpose because they don't *have* to.

[@Dutchess5]

I totally agree-there's something so special about those little details or quirks that served no purpose other than to spark curiosity and joy. Like that cheese in Perfect Dark-just there for the sake of fun! And you're so right about the shift in focus. These days, it often feels like everything in a game is tied to achievements or metrics, and the sense of discovery is missing. It’s part of why I’ve been drawn to retro games lately-they had this raw creativity that wasn’t driven by market trends or corporate expectations. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a great comment! Always a joy to read and I'll never get tired of saying it 😁

[@ZenoRogue]

So let us see how games are created. You generally start with an idea, for example (based on my games or ideas) - a roguelike (= a game where you move like in Rogue) where you walk on the hyperbolic plane - a roguelike where the combat is based on math puzzles - a combination of scrabble with solitaire deckbuilder - a game that has as many roguelike elements as possible while clearly not being a roguelike In all cases above, the idea is something that did not exist yet. Then you fill it up. For example, in the last case, decide that it will be a platformer (because I like platformers and that is very different from roguelikes), It will be an adventure (because Rogue was), it will not be procedurally generated (a Rogue element that I specifically want to avoid). So make it a metroidvania, because it is the best design for a modern adventure platformer -- the "unlock" thing is just a combination of having open world and upgrades. And see which roguelike elements can I fit to that. So that is basically how it works. You start with some idea that does not exist yet, choose the way the character moves (platformer, FPS, roguelike, etc.), a general style (adventure, run-based game, etc.), theme, etc. If you choose adventure platformer, the game will probably end up as a metroidvania. If you choose run-based FPS, you will probably incorrectly market it as a roguelike. I am not in the game industry, just creating games for fun (and hate how the industry calls run-based games roguelikes). But nevertheless, I believe most games do start with some idea that was not previously executed. I feel that people complain about "roguelikes" and "metroidvanias" because these names are silly. If they were called for what they are ("run-based", "adventure platformer") that would be fine.

[@dombo813]

Just FYI, scrabble deckbuilder already exists, it's called Paperback and it's great. Congratulations on having a good idea!

[@ZenoRogue]

@@dombo813 Thanks! Yeah, I have found Paperback when doing research :) But I wanted a game like Scrabble in the sense that you build a crossword, and Paperback does not seem to be like this. And some other differences (mine is Seuphorica).

[@teresakeys]

Wow, this video is awesome! As someone who's totally obsessed with classic games, I'll be honest-newer games just don't hit the same. Old-school games had this incredible magic that's kinda hard to describe. It's not about fancy graphics or anything; these games were legit works of art in their own way. I mean, back in the day, games were HARD. Like, controller-throwing, rage-quitting hard. But that's what made them so incredible! Every time you finally beat a tough level or conquered a seemingly impossible boss, it felt like you'd just won an Olympic medal. The satisfaction was real. Modern games are cool and all, but they often feel like they're holding your hand. Old games? They threw you into the deep end and said, 'Good luck!' And somehow, that made the whole experience so much more exciting. You weren't just playing a game-you were on a real adventure that tested every single one of your gaming skills. Those games weren't just entertainment; they were a challenge. And man, conquering that challenge? Best. Feeling. Ever.

[@Dutchess5]

Thanks so much for such a sweet comment!! 😊💕 I totally get where you're coming from. These older games were very memorable and left an impression because of how difficult they could be. They never felt cookie cutter back then. Thanks so much for leaving a comment, girly! Means a lot to me 💕

[@ValoZilla]

Wow this video is great! The footage gathered matches so well with the script, and the topic is accessible to those even outside of gaming.

[@Dutchess5]

Glad you enjoyed it, friend! Thanks for always providing me with the best constructive criticism. It really has helped me grow! 😀

[@retrogamerecluse]

Agreed. If a game-developer could make a game that didn't require a dozen 'day one download patches' before I could play it, it would be a start!

[@Dutchess5]

Ditto! 😂 The day 1 patches are absolutely annoying, though. Makes the anticipation for playing the game after finally waiting to get it is the worst 😫

[@MiniBytesMobile]

Well said! You hit the nail on the head with this video.

[@Dutchess5]

Thank you! I'm glad you found the video spot on. Your feedback means a lot, Mini! :)

[@sinfurihaart]

I understand what you have discussed in this video, and how most game companies are going with the whole "if it worked before, do it again a million times to keep making money." And the obvious issue, game companies do not want to take risks anymore. Games back from beyond a decade ago, they didn't mind taking the risks because they didn't have high standards. Square Enix is a huge example, Squaresoft games brought about the golden era of JRPGs. Now they still continue to make great games, but there is always the whole "X game did not meet our expectations", and you see that a lot nowadays. Same with Capcom and other game companies. Games being popular have exploded over time, I wouldn't be surprised if their budget is close to making movies. I do agree that if a new game takes inspiration from games of the past and puts their own uniqueness to it, it's fine by me. It is as you said, it's always been about money. And that's sadly not going to change anytime soon.

[@Dutchess5]

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! Means so much to me 😊You’re absolutely right though. There’s a noticeable shift in how risk-taking in the gaming industry has changed over time. It’s frustrating to see so many companies stick to the ‘if it worked before, keep repeating it’ mindset. Square Enix is a perfect example! Their Squaresoft era was full of groundbreaking games. Nowadays, while they still make good games, there’s often a sense of formulaic design to ensure sales quotas are met, and it’s hard not to miss the daring approaches they once took.

[@Petrisha]

Great analysis, Dutchess! Also maybe it's just the producer/audiophile in me, but is that a new mic or EQ setting you're using? Sounds good! I was looking forward to this topic when you previewed it - mostly because I love when a title or concept sounds open-ended enough to be a hot take. I was not disappointed by the pitch being made! I think you bring forward a really good point; it's not a new one by any means, but it proves time and time again to be true that retro games from decades past have this different feel or approach than modern games do. You bring up great points as well, about how derivative a lot of games feel these days, and that the industry has taken a turn toward corporate ownership and stakeholder satisfaction. I think an often-overlooked point is the acknowledgement of just how much larger the industry in general is. A lot of people bash the game or movie "by committee" concept, and for good reason that too many cooks will spoil the broth. It could be argued that having so many developers that can all look over at each other's work and take inspiration from their peers is much the same thing, adding a degree or two of separation. The sheer increase in the number of games released only makes derivative games inevitable. About 1750 games were released on the SNES in its entire lifespan - go onto the Switch eShop at any one time and see how many games are just *on sale*. The industry has long since grown beyond games being created in a vacuum, which I feel was the main advantage games say, pre-2010 had. This video also really makes me ponder the idea of how long we have until we hit this event horizon of sorts where basically every game concept that can be imagined is already created. I think to a thought experiment from way back when Slowbeef - of Something Awful forums fame back in the day - made the claim that Tetris was guaranteed to exist, because the sheer concept of forming lines out of falling shapes is so condusive to a concept that's both intuitive but can only be engineered electronically. How many other game concepts are just as intuitive to the point of inevitable? Have we already passed that point? If you look hard enough, is there a patient zero for every idea now... Have we already bottomed out, and now it's just about execution...? All very abstract and theoretical ideas! Fantastic video! At the end of the day, whether someone is playing something new or old, all that matters is that people are spending their time enjoying their hobby, as far as I'm concerned. :)

[@Dutchess5]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share such thoughtful insights, Will! I really appreciate it. 😊 About the audio-thank you for noticing! I didn’t get a new mic, but I’ve been experimenting with using fewer filters and audio enhancement effects while editing. Seems like less really is more! You make such a great point about how the sheer scale of the industry today has fundamentally changed the way games are made. The idea of games no longer being created in a vacuum is fascinating, and it really does highlight just how different the creative process is now compared to the pre-2010 era. That ‘creative event horizon’ idea is super intriguing, too. The Tetris example is such a perfect way to frame it-some concepts feel so inevitable and universal that it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t have been created eventually. It makes me wonder if what we’re seeing now is less about discovering new mechanics and more about how well those mechanics are executed or combined in innovative ways. It’s definitely abstract, but that’s part of what makes it so fun to think about! :D At the end of the day, you’re absolutely right-it’s all about finding joy in what we play. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, and your thoughtful comment made my day!

[@holymemoly3833]

only Asian companies are making good games specifically in mobile phones , weatern companies are completely losing the phone game development

[@Dutchess5]

I think they have always dominated the mobile gaming sphere to be honest 😂

[@dombo813]

I think this is an unsolvable problem - and maybe not a problem at all. It's something other media genres have alresdy gone through: there are only so many stories that can be told, so every new book is really just a minor variation on a previous book. It should have been expected that games would end up in the same place. Like books, some copies will be great, but the vast majority will be bland, and we might just have to live with that. And to be honest, I'm OK with that. Almost all of my favourite games arent the ones that were innovative, they're the ones that took someone else's innovation, refined it and incorporated it into an overall polished experience. If there are no new ideas to be had, then i look forward to seeing how future developers improve on Nier Automata.

[@Dutchess5]

That's a great perspective, and I totally get where you're coming from! Each to their own. A lot of the books I love were inspired by Pride and Prejudice, which essentially popularized the enemies-to-lovers trope, so I can see how refining and reimagining existing ideas can create something truly special. While I still hope to see more originality in games, I agree that polished experiences like Nier Automata show how innovation can come from building on existing concepts. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! Really means a lot to me 😊

[@sethwarwick1075]

Now we're gong to get wukong likes

[@Dutchess5]

I wouldn't be surprised!

[@sethwarwick1075]

It is very hard to make something different in 2024 its not the 80s

[@eryxyre]

Actual roguelikes are rare, the word is mostly used as a clickbait for Skinner boxes which have nothing to do with actual roguelikes. Have you ever tried Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup, Moonring, Caves of Qud, Tales of Maj'Eyal, Cogmind, Ancient Domains of Mystery, Shattered Pixel Dungeon, or a similar game? They are different from everything else, even if similar to each other. Nevertheless, from your video it seems that you are complaining about every game which does not start a new genre. I do not think that is fair. Sometimes you want to play something similar to what you already know.

[@sethwarwick1075]

Yeah just play retro games or retro like games

[@TheGeekPunkGamer]

Yep, lots of cookie cutter games. It probably doesn't help that most games are made using the same tools, like Unreal engine or Unity or something of that nature.

[@Dutchess5]

Oh yeah I agree! I totally forgot to mention that point. A lot of games look the same because of those games engines. I understand why developers use it since it must be pretty optimized and intuitive but it doesn't make matters any better in this regard. Thank for taking the time to leave a comment, I really do appreciate it! 😊

[@comradecatbug5289]

I have to disagree. Sure, there is a ton of shovelware, but most of it falls off the wayside and rightfully so. And genres are now more heterogenous than ever. Your thesis is demonstrably false, and I'm going to list examples of major genres that have nothing in common with each other to prove it: Metroidvania: The Surge 2, Steamworld Dig 2, Tunic Roguelike: Balatro, Buckshot Roulette, Raveswatch, Enter the Gungeon Soulslike: Salt and Sanctuary, Another Crab's Treasure, Ashen 2D Platformer: Celeste, Cuphead, Shadow Generations 3D Platformer: Penny's Big Breakaway, Super Mario Odyssey, Demon Turf, Corn Kidz 64 3rd person action: Remnant: From the Ashes, Devil May Cry 5, Sifu, Spider-Man 2, Space Marine 2 1st person action: Anger Foot, Avowed, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Cyberpunk 2077 Survival horror: Crow Country, Resident Evil Village, Signalis, Endoparasitic I could go on, but you get the point. There is tons of innovation happening in the landscape, it's just up to you to recognize it.