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[GrayChild]

Just a general observation about the AAA scene in 2025, without any particular title in mind.

The hype cycle for every major AAA game remains strong in the months before release, but once the game comes out, all major discourse around it just ends abruptly, usually after most of the day 1 buyers complete their first run. And apart from the most hardcore fanbase and your typical YT "why <X> killed the franchise" or "<X> is secretly genius" it barely gets mentioned later on unless it's prime for the GOTY awards.

Are there just too many games to play nowadays? Too many disappointments? Or is our attention span getting shorter?

 

[SenkiDala]

I agree, sadly, there are too many games

 

[DenchDeckard]

Just a general observation about the AAA scene in 2025, without any particular title in mind.

The hype cycle for every major AAA game remains strong in the months before release, but once the game comes out, all major discourse around it just ends abruptly, usually after most of the day 1 buyers complete their first run. And apart from the most hardcore fanbase and your typical YT "why <X> killed the franchise" or "<X> is secretly genius" it barely gets mentioned later on unless it's prime for the GOTY awards.

Are there just too many games to play nowadays? Too many disappointments? Or is our attention span getting shorter?

Agree, OP.

I think it's a multitude of reasons, primarily due to too many games.

Mindshare only has the ability to follow a few titles which influencers target and then they will probably try a new game and do one video on it. If that game hasn't caught the current Zeitgeist they move on to the next game. Rinse repeat.

 

[GHound]

Just a general observation about the AAA scene in 2025, without any particular title in mind.

The hype cycle for every major AAA game remains strong in the months before release, but once the game comes out, all major discourse around it just ends abruptly, usually after most of the day 1 buyers complete their first run. And apart from the most hardcore fanbase and your typical YT "why <X> killed the franchise" or "<X> is secretly genius" it barely gets mentioned later on unless it's prime for the GOTY awards.

Are there just too many games to play nowadays? Too many disappointments? Or is our attention span getting shorter?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Then there's already having said your piece on a particular game after release and not wanting to feel like you're just an old fart telling the same story for the eight hundredth time this month.
I don't enjoy talking about what I play as much as I used to either.

For that matter I don't enjoy things as much as I used to. Not even just games either.

 

[StereoVsn]

Agree, OP.

I think it's a multitude of reasons, primarily due to too many games.

Mindshare only has the ability to follow a few titles which influencers target and then they will probably try a new game and do one video on it. If that game hasn't caught the current Zeitgeist they move on to the next game. Rinse repeat.

Yep, too many games and content creators will move on unless specific genre content creators are involved.

Like with EUV you will see content creators milk that for years, same as with other major Strategy games with constant DLC releases.

But regular games, even amazing ones like KCD2, are out of sight quickly.

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

That's because we never got as much games released as right now. There's just too much content everywhere.

That's the same for music, tv shows, etc...we keep getting bombarded with content from every entertainment industry nowadays.

 

[pudel]

After release of game A, its before release of game B....yep!

Thank god the industry doesnt managed yet to destroy too many games...but they are working on it. Pretty sure some CEO's cant sleep at night, knowing that gamers can play 20k games...all released over a time span of three decades.

 

[Drell]

Rhat's not just you but I've been noticing this for 4 or 5 years now and it may have begun longer ago. That's the problem of having an industry where there's too much game releasing all the time. Unless your name is hollow knight or elden ring, you get some hype for one week and then it's over.

 

[PauloRoberto]

Not only that... it's the fact that NO GAME AT ALL this year was able to achieve a 'post launch hype conversation' on Internet after its release. Do you remember that topic about SW2 hype dying down? Wrong conclusion, right evidences. Compare with 2022 (Elden Ring), 2023 (TOTK and Baldur's Gate III), 2024 (Wukong and [in a lesser degree] Astro Bot).

 

[grvg]

Your observation is correct

 

[calico]

Most aren't doing anything to set themselves apart, or even trying to. Doing so is also much harder than it used to be.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

Definitely.
It's like that in all branches of entertainment. Not only there's too much stuff releasing, but the one product that becomes zeitgeist is getting rarer and rarer. People have so much choice, basically everyone is playing / watching / reading something different from everyone else. This way, enduring discussions can't be had.
Also, new games are expensive and many people have no problem waiting for them to come down in price. Day-one hype is the major driver of discussion. The more people wait for a sale, the less discussion can be had when the game is hot off the press.

 

[Punished Miku]

Discourse in general is often overrated. Discourse is what fuels hype cycles, pre-orders, groupthink, GOTY votes, peer pressure. We've never been more connected with access to constant discourse than right now. No one had people to talk to about games back in the day online; just your few friends.

What's missing is effort in writing, and thoughtful replies. Play a game and write up an interesting post about it that discusses what is cool or interesting about whatever you're playing. People will read it. Instead everyone just wants to click the next thing put in front of them by grifters and marketers. Play a game, think about it, write about it. It's still available to everyone anytime.

 

[Valonquar]

Don't worry, people won't shut the fuck up about most of the mediocre ones in 15 years.

 

[StereoVsn]

That's because we never got as much games released as right now. There's just too much content everywhere.

That's the same for music, tv shows, etc...we keep getting bombarded with content from every entertainment industry nowadays.

Yep, and AI is only making it worse as it's much easier to release slop so noise level is rising.

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

Not only that... it's the fact that NO GAME AT ALL this year was able to achieve a 'post launch hype conversation' on Internet after its release. Do you remember that topic about SW2 hype dying down? Wrong conclusion, right evidences. Compare with 2022 (Elden Ring), 2023 (TOTK and Baldur's Gate III), 2024 (Wukong and [in a lesser degree] Astro Bot).

Clair Obscur does this with ease.

 

[protonion]

Because they are soulless bore fests.

Also I reject the opinion there are too many (good) games. There are tons of serviceable games but the truly good games (the actual 9s and 10s) are very few and even less if you account personal taste.

This year other than Kingdom Come 2, I cannot remember another AAA game that had any impact on me.
And by far the most fun I had was with Chronicles of the Wolf and Pipistrello. Almost noone has played them.

Try not to be affected by hype/fomo and you will enjoy gaming more than you thought you could.

 

[Guilty_AI]

I still remember them (the ones i care about at least).

You'll have trouble finding conversation on games outside of their estabilished communities, assuming its a game capable of garnering a community in the first place.

 

[jzbadblood]

Clair Obscure surprised me that people kept talking about it after getting through the dumb story twists. That's about the only game that had any traction this year.

 

[Lokaum D+]

Clair Obscure surprised me that people kept talking about it after getting through the dumb story twists. That's about the only game that had any traction this year.

 

[AJUMP23]

Many people prefer the anticipation. Once it is out you need something new to anticipate.


Personally I am still working through SILKSONG. and I post in the thread with my progress.

 

[jzbadblood]

It was on the level of "it's all a dream" or the St. Elsewhere snowglobe finale. Hack writing.

 

[reinking]

It was on the level of "it's all a dream" or the St. Elsewhere snowglobe finale. Hack writing.

 

[corgiix3]

Your interacting in enthusiast circles bro

 

[Punished Miku]

It was on the level of "it's all a dream" or the St. Elsewhere snowglobe finale. Hack writing.

I enjoyed it but it is basically the Matrix. The actual plot was pretty thin, but was carried by good voice acting with believable dialogue.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

I noticed this ten years ago, people just consume the product then get excited for next product.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

I have friends who only game for easy platinums these days.

So its all about platinuming games as fast as possible before moving onto the next.

I find that attitude to be absolutely bonkers.

 

[Hypereides]

When AAA games are produced to be the disposable equivalent of fast food, it naturally comes and goes as such.

 

[Sooner]

It was on the level of "it's all a dream" or the St. Elsewhere snowglobe finale. Hack writing.

Waaaah waaaah, my food is so salty.

Fantastic game and easily GOTY.

 

[jzbadblood]

Waaaah waaaah, my food is so salty.

Fantastic game and easily GOTY.

What am I salty about? I don't care about a Geof Keighly GOTY award or if people liked that game. It just shows how little it takes to make a splash these days when everything is mediocre.

 

[Punished Miku]

Waaaah waaaah, my food is so salty.

Fantastic game and easily GOTY.

Here's that peer pressure, hype, groupthink thing I was talking about. That's usually all "the discourse" is, is an extended period of people getting angry and telling others what they have to think leading up to the next Keighley award show.

 

[NahaNago]

I'd have to agree that it seems like this year games are getting forgotten quite quickly. It used to be, they would mention a game for at least a month, but it is barely 2 weeks these days and then on to the next game. I don't think it is just about because we are getting a lot of new games. I think it is just easier to cover the new hot thing plus it gets more clicks. Maybe gaming studios need to have a steady flow of content for post launch whether it be paid or free dlc, more content on the development and lore, and maybe release music from the game.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Just a general observation about the AAA scene in 2025, without any particular title in mind.

The hype cycle for every major AAA game remains strong in the months before release, but once the game comes out, all major discourse around it just ends abruptly, usually after most of the day 1 buyers complete their first run. And apart from the most hardcore fanbase and your typical YT "why <X> killed the franchise" or "<X> is secretly genius" it barely gets mentioned later on unless it's prime for the GOTY awards.

Are there just too many games to play nowadays? Too many disappointments? Or is our attention span getting shorter?

That has always been the case, now the Internet only sheds light on it. AAA makes majority of their revenues on the release day.

 

[Gonzito]

There are too many games coming out. That's the reason

 

[londontko]

I feel like it's just life in general. Everywhere we turn, we're seeing new things that stimulate and overwhelm us. Then our brains get desensitized, and it's on to the next thing. Brainrot is real.

 

[Loomy]

Every game has a subreddit created the moment its announced. Post launch discussions usually happen in those.

 

[NeonDelta]

Was thinking about this the other day. Haven't seen anything about death stranding 2 for months.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

Clair Obscure surprised me that people kept talking about it after getting through the dumb story twists. That's about the only game that had any traction this year.

I think you didn't understand the point of the story at all. It's actually the opposite of "it was all a dream". That's the superficial conclusion you would expect from media outlets.

Besides the story, everything else in the game is memorable.

People keep talking about this or Silksong because they are amazing and remain in your head long after you are done with them. Most games are forgettable because they have no soul, passion or talent in them. It's not because of "modern days" or "too many games". Everyone remembers Nier Automata, Clair Obscure, Hollow Knight or Bloodborne, because those are unique experiences.

 

[Sooner]

Here's that peer pressure, hype, groupthink thing I was talking about. That's usually all "the discourse" is, is an extended period of people getting angry and telling others what they have to think leading up to the next Keighley award show.

You mean those people who get noticeably triggered when someone likes something they don't, and they try to explain to them why they are "wrong" to like it?

 

[Gameplay Gods Bless]

Not only that... it's the fact that NO GAME AT ALL this year was able to achieve a 'post launch hype conversation' on Internet after its release. Do you remember that topic about SW2 hype dying down? Wrong conclusion, right evidences. Compare with 2022 (Elden Ring), 2023 (TOTK and Baldur's Gate III), 2024 (Wukong and [in a lesser degree] Astro Bot).

SW2?

 

[Sethbacca]

That's because we never got as much games released as right now. There's just too much content everywhere.

It's wild to me because according to half this board there are no games this generation. WHERE ARE THE GAMES. NO GAMES!

And somehow I'm out here owning more games for my PS5 than I have for any gen.

 

[Gameplay Gods Bless]

Definitely.
It's like that in all branches of entertainment. Not only there's too much stuff releasing, but the one product that becomes zeitgeist is getting rarer and rarer. People have so much choice, basically everyone is playing / watching / reading something different from everyone else. This way, enduring discussions can't be had.
Also, new games are expensive and many people have no problem waiting for them to come down in price. Day-one hype is the major driver of discussion. The more people wait for a sale, the less discussion can be had when the game is hot off the press.

Yeap algorithms tailoring a unique experience for each user does not help. The 90s culture of everyone watching the same stuff and talking about it at the water cooler is largely dead.

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

It's wild to me because according to half this board there are no games this generation. WHERE ARE THE GAMES. NO GAMES!

And somehow I'm out here owning more games for my PS5 than I have for any gen.

My backlog increased more this gen than past gens...but PS5 has no games am i right?

 

[Da1337Vinci]

As others already said too many games.
For better or worse because of the decentralization through the internet, blackholes games (Fortnite, Roblox, etc...) and the number of indies games available everyone can get their specific needs.
So to be remember one muss exceedingly surpass expectations or be caugth in with a culture war topic.

 

[GoldenEye98]

Internet and the general saturation of content and information has fried everyone's dopamine system.

 

[CuteFaceJay]

Game saturation levels are insane to what they use to be 10-15 years ago.

 

[proandrad]

Too many open-world AAA slop. Bring back the tight linear single-player games from the 360/PS3 era and drop the price to $49.99 for new releases.

 

[ByWatterson]

But this is the worst generation ever where are the gaaaaaames

 

[RoboFu]

Well I think it is also the mind set. Warring over CCUs and sales has become THE GAME and actual decent games do not get praised enough because of it.

 

[Wildebeest]

Its because there are much fewer really new or unique games in a sea of new games. People talked about a game like Deus Ex for a long time, and wanted to keep replaying it, largely because there was nothing else really like it. When you talk about things being memorable you pretty much never say that it stands out in your memory because it was an experience like any other on a day like any other.