Gaming culture never rests, but today r/gaming is firmly in a reflective mood. A cascade of posts highlights the industry's chronic failure to seize on golden opportunities, as well as the community's nostalgia for a more authentic, less commodified era. Beneath the surface, today's top discussions are unified by a stubborn resistance to change—whether it's publishers refusing to revisit beloved franchises, or fans mourning the lost art of printed manuals.
The Franchise Graveyard: Corporate Myopia and Missed Chances
It's hard to ignore the palpable frustration over squandered potential. The Simpsons: Hit & Run debacle is emblematic: Radical Entertainment secured rights for three sequels at no cost, only for Vivendi Games to inexplicably say "no." The community's response—equal parts disbelief and resignation—says it all.
"D’OH!..." – u/PoisonousBillMurray
This missed opportunity is echoed in EA's stubborn refusal to revisit Dragon Age: Origins, despite technical feasibility and fan demand. The suits at EA, as users point out, remain "MTX & Live Service pilled to the bone," prioritizing lootboxes over legacy.
"This to me tells me that EA and others like it are MTX & Live Service pilled to the bone...." – u/metamings
Even the ongoing debate around game physics—like the BF6 vs TF destruction comparison—reflects a sense that innovation is often stifled by practicalities, leaving players yearning for the thrill of a collapsing house in Bad Company 2.
Nostalgia's Grip: The Lost Era of Physicality and Community
As publishers chase profit, gamers mourn the loss of tactile connection. The nostalgic longing for manuals and physical extras is more than sentimentality—it's a lament for a time when buying a game meant entering a curated world, not just acquiring a download key.
"They are a treasure...." – u/kruvik
This nostalgia even colors how players celebrate achievements, as seen in the pride over Elden Ring platinum trophies, and the joy of exploring moody, atmospheric locations in RDR2—a reminder that immersion and challenge still matter.
Commercialization and Chaos: The Scalper Invasion
If nostalgia is the heart, then frustration with gaming's commercial excess is the spleen. The Pokémon TCG McDonald's fiasco is a case study in how scalpers and corporate mismanagement can ruin simple pleasures. Reports of long lines, food waste, and embezzlement have left many wondering if any joy remains in collecting.
"Scalpers are the worst thing that ever happened to entertainment related stuff." – u/Shadow_Ass
Even the hunt for unique gameplay experiences, like zero gravity sections, is colored by the need to escape mass-market monotony. Gamers still crave novelty, but must wade through commercial clutter to find it.
Sources
- The Simpsons Hit & Run could have gotten 3 sequels for no charge for the license but someone at Vivendi Games said NO by u/MakeDredd2 (9978 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 03:52 PM UTC
- Greatest line in gaming history by u/GanjaGlobal (8071 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 09:05 PM UTC
- EA Refused Pitches for Dragon Age: Origins Remake or Remasters by u/Moth_LovesLamp (1421 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 07:30 PM UTC
- BF6 vs TF - Destruction Comparison by u/sim04ful (1405 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 02:45 PM UTC
- Amid Chaos, McDonald's Japan Sells Out of Pokemon TCG Promo Cards in Less than a Day - PokeBeach by u/Tenith (778 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 09:07 PM UTC
- Careful where you wander in RDR2. You might end up in Elden Ring. by u/MakisDelaportas (733 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 04:05 PM UTC
- Why it had to be on rain season!? (Team Fortress 2 and Left 4 Dead) by u/KaySan-TheBrightStar (306 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 01:31 PM UTC
- I really miss the old days where once you buy the game there are several booklets and manuals (original art and characters' bios..etc) within the box. by u/Kingspreez (234 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 07:26 PM UTC
- Ain't much but I'm proud of the achievement. by u/SoldatPixel (247 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 06:56 PM UTC
- What are some games with zero gravity sections, preferably in space? by u/Godzilla_Fan (168 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 10:39 AM UTC
Journalistic duty means questioning all popular consensus. - Alex Prescott