As much as we all love gaming, some trends in the industry have overstayed their welcome. From endless remakes to rushed releases, here are three trends that are dragging the gaming world down.

3. An Overload of Remakes and Remasters, but Not Enough New IPs
Remakes can be fantastic—I’ll always love the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remakes, which are some of my favorite games. But let’s be honest: where are the new titles? Reviving classics like Final Fantasy VII or Mafia is fun, but the flood of remakes is leaving little room for fresh, original games. It feels like developers are more focused on rehashing old favorites than taking creative risks on new IPs. And yes, I get it—it’s safer to remake a classic that fans will buy than gamble on something unproven. Still, the success of games like Elden Ring and Black Myth: Wukong gives me hope that studios might take more risks on original ideas. We need innovation just as much as nostalgia.

2. Rushed Game Releases with a Ton of Bugs
The disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077 should have been a wake-up call for the industry, but sadly, rushed releases are still common. Many publishers push to meet deadlines, even if it means delivering an unfinished game. And let’s face it, a lot of this pressure comes from executives who seem more focused on profits than quality. There’s an easy solution: don’t buy broken games. Supporting polished, well-crafted releases will send the message that quality matters. Personally, I’d much rather wait for a delayed release than spend money on a game plagued by glitches and bugs.

1. Oversaturation of Live Service Games
Live service games aren’t all bad—I’ll jump into Fortnite once in a while—but there’s just too much of it these days. These always-online, constantly updating games demand so much time and energy that they can feel more like a job than a game. For adult gamers especially, the appeal of a story-driven game that we can pause, play at our own pace, and come back to anytime can’t be understated. Games like Black Myth: Wukong show there’s still a strong market for deep, single-player experiences.

Take Concord, for example, one of the most expensive games to develop, and yet it’s one of the most lackluster. It’s a clear sign that a huge part of the gaming community craves depth over endless grinding. With high-quality single-player games like Black Myth: Wukong leading the way, maybe, just maybe, the endless stream of live service games will start to slow down. Sidenote, I’ve been talking about Wukong non-stop, but that's just because I can’t think of a better contender for game of the year!

What are the worst trends in gaming for you? Let’s talk about it in the comments. Until next time, stay golden!

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