Video gaming is one of the largest entertainment industries in the world. Whether you are a casual or hardcore gamer, there is something out there for you. From first-person shooters to farming sims and puzzle-based visual novels, there are many genres to be enjoyed.
Games are a form of art, able to tell a story through innovative gameplay and unique storytelling. It is arguably the most immersive form of media, placing someone directly into the action. Additionally, multiplayer games allow you and your friends to play together, which only adds to enjoyment and longevity. There are many ways to play a game as opposed to a movie, which follows a very strict path.
For all the great things about video games, the gaming industry has several huge flaws. Games are typically at the mercy of shareholders, often resulting in a mediocre or downright terrible game.
Here are 5 of the gaming industry’s worst sins:
First Sin: In-Game Microtransactions
Microtransactions are the bane of a gamer’s experience. This “pay-to-win” style of business is extremely unpopular, though somehow companies manage to get away with it. The FIFA games are a perfect example, where many players (especially younger children) are caught up in a loop of gambling to obtain their favourite footballer.
Loot Boxes are another element that fits under this category. Not every loot box falls into the “pay-to-win” category, such as Overwatch’s skins, but still comes under scrutiny. Players would prefer quality updates and extra content rather than small cosmetic changes.
Other games, such as Genshin Impact, fall under the Gacha category. Players are heavily encouraged to invest real money into the game, but there are no guarantees that they will receive anything worthwhile. Gaming comes at a huge cost.
Second Sin: Overpriced/Underwhelming DLC
DLC, or downloadable content, typically offers players more story options. This can include exploring side stories, post-main game content, or focusing on fan favourite characters. On the surface, this seems like an amazing way to improve the longevity of a game.
The harsh reality is this: DLC prices rarely reflect the content value. A DLC can cost almost as much as the main game, yet offer a fraction of the content. Worse still, if these paid DLCs offer players a “true ending” instead of including it in the base game. And perhaps the largest sin is releasing a DLC that conflicts with the established game lore.
Third Sin: Too Many Bugs/Not Enough Patches
Video game bugs can be entertaining (just look at the GTA series), but many can be game-breaking – such as falling through the world, random t-posing, and broken voice lines. Unfortunately, many games are released with these types of bugs.
It is more understandable for PC gamers to experience bugs (as there are so many PC parts and builds from different manufacturers). Consoles, however, should not experience many major bugs at all on release. Each Xbox One, for example, should be exactly the same.
Game testing is one way to combat the worst bugs, ironing them out before release. Sadly, many developers will sell games that need more work to keep their shareholders happy. Then, if players are lucky, will release patches to fix the worst problems.
Fourth Sin: Early Access Purgatory
Early Access can be a wonderful tool to seek out bugs and refine a game based on its audience’s preferences. It can also give independent developers and smaller studios an income, allowing them to add new features and spend more time on the game. However, many games are stuck in Early Access purgatory – sometimes indefinitely.
Players invest their money in a product that has no real guarantee of being released. Even if a game progresses past the Early Access phase, it may not match player expectations. Developers often change their goalposts, and rarely for the better.
Fifth Sin: Lack of Creativity
Games that come out regularly – such as the yearly sports games and Call of Duty series – are almost carbon copies of one another. It allows games to be released quickly but at the cost of innovative gameplay and unique storytelling.
If one game genre becomes popular, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to make a clone. Palworld – a recently released survival/crafting game – has been referred to as “Pokemon with guns”. Many of the designs look suspiciously close to existing Pokemon.
In 2023, Larian Studios gifted game lovers a delightful break from these major industry sins. Baldur’s Gate 3 has an incredible amount of content and excellent post-release support. The voices of fans are heard, and changes are made accordingly. Even now, months after its initial release (August 3rd, 2023), there are new free content updates and patches. Every single voice actor absolutely crushes their performance, and the world itself is gorgeous.
Here is proof that a great game can be made without sacrificing quality or relying on money-grabbing schemes.
What is the biggest sin of the gaming industry? Can you think of any other big problems? Have you played Baldurs Gate 3? Join us for more gaming industry news.
