The world around us is always in motion, and gamers change with each passing year. Alongside the development of the economy, technology, and improved living conditions, today’s gamers have wonderful opportunities to indulge their passions. Let’s compare and discover the biggest differences between gamers of the past and present.
In the past – gaming in secret, now relaxed and open
About 15 years ago, online gaming was often regarded as a social issue, negatively impacting students’ academic performance. Back then, online games were even blamed for various social disturbances. Certainly, no parent was thrilled at the thought of their child going to an internet café. This led to many secretive gaming sessions. Overall, back then, most gamers had to play “in secret.”
But now, things have changed. The eSports industry is rapidly growing, and the stigma around gaming is gradually fading, to the point where it frequently appears in news broadcasts covering various tournaments. In fact, those who used to skip school to play games are now respected parents, and it’s understandable that they don’t prohibit their children from gaming like before. Images of kids as young as 4-5 years old publicly playing League of Legends or Free Fire in front of their parents are now common.
In the past – any game was enjoyable, now games must be visually appealing and engaging
In the past, there weren’t many game titles available, and gamers had very limited choices. However, this somewhat deepened the connection between the game and the player, making it an essential part of everyone’s childhood. Graphics and specifications didn’t matter as long as the game was fun. Just ask anyone who played the Heroes series; how many of them paid attention to whether the character designs were beautiful or not?
But nowadays, the abundance and excessive development of the gaming industry have heightened many players’ expectations. Games must be visually striking, with high specifications and vibrant graphics just to pass the initial screening, not to mention whether the gameplay is distinctive. It seems accurate to say that Vietnamese gamers are becoming increasingly picky.
In the past – dedicated and saved every penny for gaming, now play for a few weeks and then quit
Of course, modernity doesn’t always bring positive changes. One thing today’s gamers might learn from their predecessors is the passion and commitment towards gaming.
In the past, obtaining a game disc or even having the money to go to an internet café was a journey of saving every penny for many gamers. Thus, the characters in the games were like their beloved children. But now, everything has changed. There are games created just to be played for 1-2 weeks before being discarded. Many players jump from server to server, game to game, and the concept of commitment seems to have become a luxury.