Play the game to see how video games are designed to get you hooked and spending
As a lifelong video game player who has little interest in online games, online multiplayer, or mobile games I’ve found myself increasingly frustrated with the state of gaming for all the reasons this article discusses.<p>I remember when DLC (purchased in a brick-and-mortar store, installed via disk) was becoming more mainstream. Anecdotally, people hated it! Comments about not getting a full game or having to pay twice to get the full experience were common sentiments. How times have changed!<p>Now that microtransaction laden grind-fest is the norm for AAA games (even single player ones) I just don’t play much any more which is a real shame. It frustrates me that when games like Spider-Man or Ghosts of Tsushima that buck the trend are notable for bucking the trend and for actually being enjoyable (over being an as-a-service cash cow). That should be the default! These games are fun! Why make fun games or even art when making something grinding and addictive with mtx makes you so much extra money?
I hate it. The insidious practices are anti-consumer, anti-human. It’s unethical imo but there’s clearly too much money to be made.