Games that are usually criticized by this, also tend to be games that sell really well. Think Sony exclusives like Uncharted, TLoU, etc.
Some of the most beloved games by the communities are also story heavy, like Bioshock, Mass Effect, System Shock, etc. These games I mentioned have passable gameplay even when they were released, case in point, whenever you talk with someone about these games, they won’t talk about the gameplay, they will talk about the twists, the characters, etc.
Then there are games that are the antithesis to this post: interactive movies and visual novels. Quantic Dream’s games (detroit become human, heavy rain, etc) despite all their faults, sold well. Telltalle’s put their foot in the industry with the first season of The Walking Dead, and they would still be in business today if it wasn’t for their one trick pony game design and biting more than they could chew. Visual novels tend to be in the grey area and some people argue they aren’t games at all, but some do feature gameplay, and people don’t play those for the gameplay I can promise you that.
I do share the opinion that many publishers & studios in the gaming industry have the wrong idea that they need to be like the movie industry and have cinematic games. They don’t. But the demand for those types of games exist too
Taking what you said into account: perhaps the industry is generalising too much a diverse market, and leaving unsatisfied players who drift too much away from said generalisation.
Both.
Games that are usually criticized by this, also tend to be games that sell really well. Think Sony exclusives like Uncharted, TLoU, etc.
Some of the most beloved games by the communities are also story heavy, like Bioshock, Mass Effect, System Shock, etc. These games I mentioned have passable gameplay even when they were released, case in point, whenever you talk with someone about these games, they won’t talk about the gameplay, they will talk about the twists, the characters, etc.
Then there are games that are the antithesis to this post: interactive movies and visual novels. Quantic Dream’s games (detroit become human, heavy rain, etc) despite all their faults, sold well. Telltalle’s put their foot in the industry with the first season of The Walking Dead, and they would still be in business today if it wasn’t for their one trick pony game design and biting more than they could chew. Visual novels tend to be in the grey area and some people argue they aren’t games at all, but some do feature gameplay, and people don’t play those for the gameplay I can promise you that.
I do share the opinion that many publishers & studios in the gaming industry have the wrong idea that they need to be like the movie industry and have cinematic games. They don’t. But the demand for those types of games exist too
That’s a good counterpoint.
Taking what you said into account: perhaps the industry is generalising too much a diverse market, and leaving unsatisfied players who drift too much away from said generalisation.