What the games been missing is genuine, impactful player agency that goes beyond superficial choices and truly shapes the narrative and world.
Have you ever felt like a passenger in a game, even when you’re supposedly making choices? It’s a common feeling, right? We’ve all been there, pushing buttons, triggering pre-set sequences, and the narrative unfolds despite us not necessarily because of us.
This brings us to what the games been missing. It isn’t better graphics or more explosions, but a deeper connection between player actions and in-game consequences. Real agency, the kind where our choices ripple outwards and actively alter the world, is what we are craving.
What the Games Been Missing: A Deep Dive
Okay, let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind (and probably yours too) – what’s been feeling…off in the world of video games lately? We’ve got amazing graphics, incredible sound, and stories that can make us cry. But sometimes, it feels like something’s missing. It’s like we’re eating a delicious-looking cake, but it’s just a little bit dry. Let’s explore those “dry” spots and see what could make our gaming experiences even better.
The Vanishing Act of True Player Agency
One big thing I’ve noticed is a lack of real choices that matter. Sure, we get dialogue options, but often they just lead to the same outcome with slightly different words. We’re given the illusion of choice, and the actual game narrative flows the same way. It’s like being on a theme park ride – you can choose to sit on the left or right, but the track is set, and you’re going to end up at the same destination. We yearn for games that truly respond to our decisions, games where our actions shape the world in significant ways. Remember the excitement when you played a game and you knew you made a different choice than your friend, and your game story was totally different?
The Illusion of Choice vs. True Impact
Let’s break that down. An “illusion of choice” is when a game pretends your decisions matter, but they don’t really change the big picture. You might choose to help Character A or Character B, but either way, the main story progresses identically. True impact, however, means that your actions can lead to genuinely different outcomes, different character relationships, or even drastically altered game worlds. Think about games where your choices affected which areas of the map you could access, or where characters would live or die. Those kinds of choices made you feel like a participant in the story, not just a spectator.
More Than Just Dialogue Trees
It’s not just about dialogue choices, either. Player agency should extend to how we approach gameplay challenges. Can we find clever ways to beat a boss? Can we manipulate the game’s world to our advantage? Games often push us toward a specific, pre-designed solution, and we feel like we’re just following instructions. What we’re missing are environments that allow us to be creative problem-solvers, using the tools the game provides to forge our own unique paths to victory. It is all about how we interact with the world.
- Example: Imagine a game where, instead of just fighting a dragon head-on, you could use the environment to your advantage – collapse a cave on top of it, or lure it into a trap.
- Example: Imagine a role-playing game where your choice of skills actually affects what options are available to you on quests. If you are skilled at persuasion you might talk your way out of an encounter, or if you’re good at combat you might fight your way out.
The Disconnect From the Game’s World
Another thing that keeps popping up is how disconnected we can feel from the game world. We see beautiful landscapes, we hear great music, but it sometimes feels like a backdrop, rather than a living, breathing place we can truly engage with. We move through the world as if we are on an on-rails tour, and the world often doesn’t feel reactive to our presence.
The Problem With Static Worlds
A lot of games have these static worlds where nothing changes, regardless of our actions, except for scripted events. We might save a village from bandits, but the next time we pass through, it’s like nothing happened. The villagers might still be complaining about bandits as if we never helped them. We’re craving worlds that respond to our deeds, where the world reacts to us as we interact with it and the story progresses. If we plant a forest, we would like to see it grow.
The Need for Meaningful Interactions
We also need more meaningful ways to interact with the game world. Instead of just picking up items and completing quests, we should be able to have real relationships with non-player characters. We want to feel connected to the people and places in the game, not just be an observer. Imagine if you could build friendships with NPCs and the friendships would help you in your game. Maybe you could even have a rival that you compete against, and your actions dictate how that relationship changes.
- Example: Imagine a game where the plants you harvest slowly regenerate over time, or where animals migrate to different areas depending on the season.
- Example: Imagine a game where your choices influence the opinions of the NPC’s in the game, and those NPC’s will treat you differently depending on your actions.
The Forgotten Art of Surprise and Wonder
Remember when we were kids and games had this amazing ability to surprise us? A hidden passage, a secret level, a bizarre character encounter – these moments created a sense of wonder and excitement. Lately, games feel too predictable. We know what’s coming around the corner. The developers want us to have a structured gameplay experience, and that means less room for surprises and hidden content.
The Over-Reliance on Predictable Patterns
Many games follow a very similar pattern: a short tutorial, a set of main quests, and then a final boss. There’s nothing wrong with this formula, but it can feel repetitive. We crave those moments of discovery, those instances where we stumble upon something unexpected that makes our jaws drop. Remember spending hours searching for secrets in games you loved and how fulfilling it was to find them? Where is that experience in the modern era of gaming?
Bringing Back the Joy of Discovery
We need more games that reward exploration and curiosity. Hidden passages that aren’t marked on the map, side quests that come from the most unexpected places, and game mechanics that you can discover just by experimenting – that’s what makes a game truly memorable. These are not just extras, they are also part of the story. Games that allow us to explore a new area, or find secret content or hidden items, reward players for paying attention to the world around them. This adds a whole new dimension to gaming.
- Example: Imagine a game where random events would happen, like sudden storms, migrations, or even NPC’s offering unique side-quests that you might never find.
- Example: Imagine a game where there were clues that you could find that would allow you to find hidden areas and secret levels.
The Loss of Shared Experiences
With the rise of online gaming, you’d think that shared experiences would be better than ever, but sometimes it feels like we’re all playing in our own little bubbles. Many online games feel like a bunch of individual players doing the same tasks in parallel, rather than actually playing together. It’s becoming increasingly rare to have a shared experience with other players, where our actions have consequences for the team. Many games force players to cooperate on an objective, but there isn’t a real sense of community.
The Problem With Isolated Multiplayer
We have a lot of multiplayer games where players compete with each other, and few games where players truly collaborate. We need more cooperative experiences where we rely on each other to succeed. It is not always about winning against other players, sometimes we want to build a community with them, and experience something together. If we have a shared gaming experience with other players, that is something we will remember and think about for a long time.
The Power of True Cooperation
Games should provide ways for players to work together toward common goals, not just compete for individual glory. We could create unique experiences that bring people closer together, as they are building friendships in a game. Imagine a game where every player has a role to fulfill, and the team can only succeed when everyone plays their role effectively. Shared accomplishments and experiences create lasting memories.
- Example: Imagine a game where a group of players would be working together to build a base, and every player would have a different role in the base construction.
- Example: Imagine a multiplayer game with a robust trading system, where you can form alliances and collaborate with players to gain the resources you need.
The Growing Pains of Microtransactions and Predatory Practices
Let’s address the elephant in the room: microtransactions. While some games use them in a way that doesn’t feel exploitative, the trend has shifted towards predatory practices, with loot boxes and pay-to-win mechanics. It feels like many games are trying to get us to open our wallets, instead of trying to provide us a fun experience. This has become a major source of frustration for gamers.
The Erosion of Trust
When games constantly push us to buy items or advantages, it makes us lose trust in the developers. It feels like we’re being manipulated rather than entertained. It is not enjoyable to feel like a developer only wants your money, rather than providing you with a good experience. A good game should feel like a passion project from the developers, not a cash grab.
Re-Prioritizing Player Enjoyment
Games should prioritize fun and fairness over profit. If a game can be fully enjoyed without spending any extra money, that gives it a sense of integrity. Developers should be looking for ways to make money without making it a required part of the experience. Players are more likely to support developers that focus on providing a fun experience first, and they are less likely to support developers who have an obvious pay-to-win mindset.
- Example: A game that offers cosmetic items for sale, but does not impact the gameplay.
- Example: A game that gives you all gameplay options for the purchase price of the game.
The Lack of Innovation
Sometimes it feels like many games are just re-skins of games we’ve already played. They might have different graphics and stories, but the core gameplay loop feels familiar. It’s like we’re stuck in a cycle, instead of moving forward and trying something new. We’re always looking for something new, something unexpected, and something that will make us excited to play games again. The industry needs to take some risks to try and create new and inventive experiences.
The Comfort of Familiarity
It’s understandable that developers want to stick with proven formulas, as it is less risky. But, this comes at the cost of innovation. We can see the same game mechanics repeated in different games and this creates a sense of boredom. Gamers deserve something new, something that will surprise and engage them.
Embracing Novel Ideas
The best games are ones that take risks and try new things. Innovation is the key to making the gaming industry exciting. We need more games that introduce us to new mechanics, new ways to interact with the world, and new styles of gameplay. The gaming industry needs to step outside their comfort zone.
- Example: Games that try to combine different genres, or mechanics that are unexpected, can lead to something fresh and innovative.
- Example: A game that doesn’t focus on combat, instead focusing on other interactions like puzzle solving, exploration, building and crafting.
In conclusion, the gaming world is still amazing, and there are plenty of great experiences out there. However, we are missing some of the key ingredients that made gaming magical in the past. By focusing on player agency, world engagement, shared experiences, ethical monetization, and innovation, the gaming industry can create experiences that are truly unforgettable.
J Vet – "What The Games Been Missing" (Official Video)
Final Thoughts
The core innovation truly resides in seamless player interaction and meaningful choices. This type of gameplay prioritizes genuine engagement. it builds narrative experiences that feel impactful. The missing piece has been the ability to create games that truly connect with players on an emotional level.
What the games been missing is this sense of personal connection and agency. This is where the games of future will focus. It’s not about fancy graphics, rather this is about the heart of the game.
