10 Ways Video Games Keep Pissing Off Fans
The one graphics option you always turn off.
Video games have the capacity to be narrative masterpieces and mechanically stunning in ways us non-video game developers might not even be able to imagine. They also do some really annoying stuff, so in this list we’re going to go full nitpicky and point out the things we don’t like about them.
If that’s feeling a little overly negative, not to worry, we’ve got loads of WhatCulture lists celebrating everything that’s great about video games, and I think we all need a little vent session every now and then.
From things that are dragging the industry down as a whole, to weird features that just haven’t gone away, we’ve collected a bunch of our grievances.
It’s worth saying microtransactions and loot boxes won’t be making an appearance because that’s well trodden ground, but we’ve still got some doozies.
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10. Mandatory Internet Connection
Alright, sure, it’s 2024 and most of our internet connections are a hell of a lot more reliable than they used to be, and they don’t make that excruciating dial up noise so that’s a win/win, but it still shouldn’t be a necessity for playing video games.
If you grew up in the age of primarily brick and mortar game sales where your collection was made up of gigantic cardboard boxes containing discs and manuals, as well as cartridges of various shapes and sizes, then you’re probably more bothered by this entry than those who were born this century. You can’t argue with the convenience of digital platforms housing all of your games.
Well, you used to not be able to argue with it, now your games are probably spread across seven different digital video game storefronts and it’s almost less convenient than going through your pile of old boxed games.
On the whole, though, there is a frustration with the feeling like you don’t actually own your games. While games being delisted and the threat of platforms folding altogether are totally crap, mandatory internet connections which force you to be online to play your single player games come off as pretty ridiculous. While this largely comes from a place of studios trying to protect themselves from those who might pirate games by implementing DRM, it’s certainly consumer-unfriendly.