Mostly because we’ve allowed corporate incentive structures to be tied to short term gains, with the mistaken assumption that such gains are actual long-term solutions.

You’d be surprised. We’ve had companies come out and make such claims before (granted, most walk it back a few years later when people forget - see WotC’s OGL).

Now just set up a script to install then uninstall the game all day long, and share that script with your equally frothing buddies.

Coupled with how do they distinguish between genuine installs, and some malicious person sending them them randomly generated ‘install’ packets to their tracking server?

I do love it when I hear someone called a twatwaffle, I admit.

The sequel, however, to Octopath is a right stupid mess that buries all the love and charm of the original game into series of gatcha mechanics.

I really don’t see anyone else making true open-world RPGs with a focus on character and story

I am aware it is the minimum requirement. However, if they were true about “Pushing to the next gen”.. they could at least use a more recent comparative video card than one from half a decade ago. Y’know, like the 3060-Ti which is 3 years newer and considerably faster, and benefits from more modern tech such as Ray…

“Uh, we did,” Howard said while Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer giggled. “It’s running great. It is a next-gen PC game. We really do push the technology, so you may need to upgrade your PC for this game.”

Well, there is.

Except in this case, the core game loop and writing remains the same. Nothing you originally listed changes the experience, merely the dressing around it.

Changing the lipstick on a pig doesn’t make it a different pig. 

A better analogy would be you don’t have to stick your dick in a vacuum cleaner to know it’ll suck. ;)

I can’t speak to Dragon Age, but I can speak to what Nicholas is saying and it’s true. In Skyrim and Oblivion, you’re declared the most important person early on, with no real build up. Not mention your choices have little narrative impact, compared to other CRPGs.

It came from the company that gave us Warcraft 3: Refunded and Diablo Immoral.  Is anyone shocked?

What color is the sky in your world

No, that is not ‘part of the social contract’ - the social contract is that we clothe, feed, and shelter the most neediest.  Late stage capitalism has certainly eroded that.

Not unless you buy me dinner first, honey.  I’m not a cheap date.

No, I actually don’t - I live in Canada.

You’re mistaking law with societal norms and expectations.