I’ve never been so bored as a gamer – Reader’s Feature-GameCentral-Entertainment – Metro

There’s never been a summer games drought like this one (pic: Carl Court/Getty Images)

A reader is fed up at the lack of new game releases and questions why publishers have become so secretive in 2022.

I’ve read a number of comments, and Reader’s Features, in the last few months complaining about the state of 2022 for video games, and how there’s been so little in the way of both news and major new releases. This is clearly not a matter of opinion but a fact. It’s never been this bad, not since the video game crash of 1983, and yet many people seem keen to dismiss it and argue that just because they’re not bothered by it, it’s not a problem.

Usually, these people say something like ‘just play old games’ or ‘reduce your backlog’ or insist that they’ve been fine so they don’t see any reason to be concerned. But that is missing the bigger picture. It’s ignoring the fact that the games industry has ground to a halt and is no longer releasing new games at anything like the previous rate or, perhaps more importantly, talking about new games.

It’s not like I’ve got a business degree or anything, but I would’ve thought that if you’re in a situation where output has decreased, through no fault of your own, the way to compensate for that is to engage with your audience more than usual, keep them reassured that new products are coming, and maybe reveal others earlier than you otherwise would have. Make it clear there’s plenty to look forward to and emphasise that this is only a temporary situation. But that’s not what’s happened, instead the opposite has.

I enjoy following the games industry almost as much as I enjoy playing its games and I like to think I’m pretty knowledgeable about companies and why they do and don’t do certain things, especially those things that seem on the face of it to make no sense. I don’t agree with letting E3 die, for example, but I understand that companies don’t like paying for it, and supporting a platform for their rivals, and developers don’t like stopping work on games that are due out at Christmas, to make demos and do press in the middle of the summer.

I don’t agree, I think there are more positives than negatives but it’s fine, at least I understand the logic behind. But what they’re doing now? I don’t get it all.

The only thing that would make sense is that they’re not talking about anything because they have nothing to talk about, but we know that’s not true. Microsoft announced a ton of games years ago and Sony has God Of War Ragnarök coming out this year, with plenty more in the pipeline. We know this from not only simple logic but because everything gets leaked nowadays anyway.

Sony is the worst but it’s Microsoft and all the third party publishers too. Surely it must be a clue for them, that they’re dropping the ball, when Nintendo, of all people, are doing their best to keep fans informed and new games coming out at fast pace.

So, there’s no new games to play and no new games to look forward to, or at least not beyond a logo and a teaser trailer. I have never been so bored to be a gamer and I am not in the slightest bit surprised that video game sales are way down on previous years. It’s not just because the pandemic is over, it’s because the video games industry has retreated into its shell and refuses to come out.

Nobody could’ve prepared for or predicted the pandemic, but games companies have made the worst of a bad situation, and I don’t see any end in sight.

By reader Rackham

The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

MORE : Why I’ve only bought one new video game in 2022 – Reader’s Feature

MORE : Why I’ve only bought one new video game in 2022 – Reader’s Feature

MORE : 2022 is the worst year for video games ever – Reader’s Feature

Follow Metro Gaming on Twitter and email us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.

Entertainment – MetroRead More