The Media Maelstrom
In the fast-paced world of modern gaming, mainstream media plays a pivotal role in shaping the narratives around high-profile releases. Games like Elden Ring, Starfield, Baldur’s Gate III, and Palworld often dominate conversations. Captivating both casual and hardcore gamers alike. However, the surge in popularity increases the phenomenon known as the fear of missing out (FOMO). Effective marketing strategies and viral social media presence create an atmosphere where gamers purchases are swayed by many outside factors.
Recent examples, such as the multitudes of influencers misconceptions that Baldur’s Gate III is in fact not an action roleplaying game (RPG) but a statistically heavy turn-based strategy RPG. Palworld, touted as the ‘evolution of Pokemon,’ turned out to be a survival sim game, surprising many under researched buyers. The hype of a new release only elevates the disappointment in these scenarios. As a consumer it’s key to assess your genuine interest rather than succumbing to the pressure of the gaming industry at large.
Ride the (Alan) Wake
In the contemporary gaming landscape, you don’t need to play a game to enjoy it’s release. Streaming platforms and YouTube let’s plays offer avenues to experience and enjoy a game’s story, mechanics, and unique features vicariously. By engaging with gaming communities and discussions, you can immerse yourself in the experiences of others, broadening your perspective on a title without committing to playing it yourself. Sometimes it’s best to take a step back and just observe the wake a game creates in the industry.
While a particular game might not align with your personal preferences or values, you can still engage with the gaming community to share in the excitement. Discussing the mechanics, reading about others’ positive experiences, and participating in conversations allow you to appreciate the game’s strengths even if it’s not your cup of tea. Socializing around gaming news and releases can be transformed into a shared experience, fostering connections, and expanding your gaming horizons.
A Natural 20
Baldurs Gate III shook the entire gaming landscape last year, there’s no doubting the team at Larian broke the internet with their talent and passion. Years ago, I would have bought the game instantly out of hype, However I’ve learnt to curate my collection and appreciate my tastes in gaming and embrace them.
Although I love fantasy with films like Lord of the Rings and boardgames like Descent Journeys in the Dark. I’m quite selective when it comes to fantasy video games. I value an action focus and generally enjoy the lighter side of the dialogue front. Games like Fable, Lord of the Rings War in the North or the other Baldurs Gate, Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance are more my style.
And that’s okay, I can enjoy a big release like Baldurs Gate III and ride the Hype Train without buying a Ticket.
The Parasitic Flood
The gaming industry is flooded with releases, making it impossible to play every game, especially during heavy gaming seasons. Patience becomes a virtue as every gamer must confront the reality of an overwhelming volume of releases. Waiting has its merits, with many games receiving improvement patches, free and paid downloadable content, and significant updates post-launch.
The cautionary tale of day-one adoption is evident in games like Jedi Survivor, Hogwarts Legacy, and Cyberpunk 2077, which all required significant patches to address launch performance issues. Being patient allows you to avoid potential frustrations and experience a more polished version of the game (usually with more content and features too)
You Pay this much…..
In the ever-evolving gaming market, having the patience to wait can see your spending go a lot further. While some games maintain their prices (yes, you Nintendo), smaller-profile titles that may not sell well initially often see significant price drops both at physical retail and digital platforms within a few months. If you don’t need to play it RIGHT NOW, add it to your wishlist and wait for that deep discount.
I find far too often in my gaming communities, people are overwhelmed, open world fatigue, panic about arbitrary reward systems like trophies and achievements, the dreaded FOMO, and the guilt of not playing a new release game garners more attention than the gameplay itself. Be patient and let that new release go, you can always buy it later.
Discovering what you truly enjoy with gaming is a hard task, however if you take the time to step back and pause for a moment instead of trying to hold onto the never ending momentum of game releases. You will discover and learn what truly brings you joy when playing a games.
