The opinion is controversial because most people don’t assume this is the case in the 21st-century. Software and hardware have come so far in such a short period that they are viewed as mandatory. It’s taken for granted that augmented reality, virtual reality and AI components are implemented into the latest releases.

Yes, these elements are revolutionizing the gaming industry, to the point where it is almost recognizable. However, this doesn’t mean that they are widely embraced by the community.


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Classic Releases Continue to Dominate

The first warning sign for developers is that iconic titles still dominate the industry to this day. Video gaming is a fantastic place to begin the case study since the best-selling games of all time include some retro developments. Tetris has sold 43 million copies worldwide since its release in 1989, tens of millions more than any VR or AR video game. Tetris is so popular that a later release in 2006 reached number three on the list.

Then there are the open-world titles. Okay, the likes of Grand Theft Auto and Minecraft may have been novel at the time, yet that doesn’t explain why GTA 5 has sold over 150 million on multiple platforms a decade after the first-ever GTA was delivered. After all, the graphics aren’t particularly advanced. The same applies to Minecraft, but it has still sold 238 million copies since its original launch. Online casino games follow the same pattern. Starburst welcomed users in 2012 and rapidly developed into the most popular online slot in the world and a feature that online casinos can’t afford to omit from their libraries.

It isn’t the complexity gamers love, but the easy-to-understand process that instantly grabs their attention and encourages them to invest their time. Sweeteners are used to engage gamers, following the same strategy to create a seamless experience. For example, online casinos love to offer bonuses to make their offerings more appealing, meaning that a range of rewards, from Starburst free spins to 100% deposit bonuses, is available. The added value keeps customers interested, which is why Rockstar implements a similar plan with GTA via its RP Rewards that provide players with an extra-lucrative cache of prizes.


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The Community Has Rebelled Against Changes

Where classic games are involved, any alterations haven’t been received well by the gaming community. Indeed, developers have done more harm to their reputations by selling their souls to turn a profit. Of course, that’s a reference to GTA Trilogy, a collection of former GTA games that have been remastered.

If you haven’t heard, the launch was an unmitigated disaster, and not only because the graphics were stupid and glitches ruined the storyline. Fans mainly questioned the need to tweak a series of titles that removed the spirit of the user experience, the same spirit that made them popular in the first place. For example, players hated the fact that some cheat codes aren’t available on GTA: The Trilogy, while others lamented the fact that the instant regeneration feature made some elements defunct, like using taxis in GTA Vice City. Rockstar isn’t alone because Cyberpunk 2077’s developers, CD Projekt, found that the gaming world wasn’t ready for a unique open-world megalopolis, so much so that CD Projekt offered refunds for the game after the launch day, making it one of the biggest failures in video game history.

The fact that more sophisticated versions of classic games and genres haven’t been embraced in the same way shows that there is something about the lack of sophistication gamers love. Technology doesn’t appear to impact the community positively.

Software and hardware advancements are desirable and will become a significant part of the industry. Regardless, it seems as if the oldies won’t be obsolete as there’s something about them that gamers love.