You missed an imports variable: the rise of the casual gamer. As casual gamers came into the mix they became the most profitable demographic and most of what has happened as been to take their money.<br><br>Think about this: Mass effect 1 and 2, and Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite  are some of the best games ever made but they are only 35 hours long (at best). Would we accept that now? EA's statement about people not liking linear games shows their own stupidity and how the market feels. If a game isnt 75+ hours of content people will be upset with their purchase even though of that 75 hours 30 of it is walking through a world aimlessly (Like Dragon Age 3). <br><br>I'm old enough to know these practices are beyond stupid and hopefully people wake up to it. A good game needs 3-4 years (unless your japan in the 1990- early 2000s) in development, so just make two teams and give us a game every other year.,(reply>), There have always been Casual Gamers, they can make games to pander to the ones who play games like CAndy Crush if they wish, and leave the more core games alone.