Gamers have it pretty good today.
And it cost about the same as a months worth of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Some of them still suck.
A triple-A gaming title used to cost about $60 no matter what platform you played it on.
Premium editions with digital add-ons run as high as double that.
Those were simple metrics to keep in the back of my mind when I reviewed a game.
The game eventually got patched and its a fantastic experience worthy of a AAA price tag these days.
Without Game Pass, I dont think it would have survived its rocky launch.
The whole industry has entered a transitional phase.
If I reviewedState of Decay 2again right now, I wouldnt give a single thought to its retail price.
Theres no impetus to find the joy in a joyless game once youve divorced yourself from its monetary value.
Otherwise were doing the community as much disservice as the tone-deaf publishers ignoring us to chase profits.
Enter Cyberpunk 2077, pursued by failure.
WhenCyberpunklaunched, I got a review copy for Xbox One and played it for a few hours.
I decided not to write that review because, frankly, there was nothing to write.
My only thought was: this isnt worth $60.
In fact, I dont thinkCyberpunk 2077should have been sold at all in the state it shipped.
It should have been delayed another year.
But even as the games been patched and gone from unplayable to enjoyable, Ive changed my mindvery little.
I still dont think its worth $60.
You might loveCyberpunk 2077, and thats fine.
I think its a pretty good game that probably isnt worth your time.
All things being equal, I believe time is worth more than money.
The powers-that-be are still thinking in terms of money.
The social media companies understand the true value of their product.
Until that changes, the divide between what gamers want and what the industry gives them will remain.
