Best Games of 2024 You’ll Miss Out On If You Don’t Take a Gamble
The Endless Stream of Games: How the Gaming Community is Adapting
As I sit down to play a new game, I’m reminded of the overwhelming abundance of options available to me. With the rise of digital storefronts and indie game development, the video game industry has never been more prolific. But this abundance comes with a cost. In this month’s Editor’s Letter, I’ll explore how the gaming community is adapting to the never-ending stream of games.
The Problem of Too Many Games
Last month, I wrote about the existential crisis facing game developers due to the sheer number of games being released. This month, I want to focus on the other side of the equation: the audience. The people who play all of these new games. Or, as a recent survey tells us, the people who don’t.
Abundance should be a boon for the average video game fan. Unfettered competition pushes prices down, particularly on PC, where each month players can grab bundles containing dozens (sometimes hundreds) of games for less than $20. And even the fanciest, freshest games often get discounted within weeks of launch.
The Pursuit of Knowledge
But acquiring an all-encompassing knowledge of video games isn’t possible. The NES had 1,377 games. The PS4 had 3,399 games. Steam alone has thousands of titles each year. It’s like trying to catch every fish in the ocean.
A Masterpiece in the Making
Before I wrap up, let’s talk about one more game. Last month, developer Mossmouth published what Game File author Stephen Totilo wrote "might be the most 2024 game anyone can play this year." If you can even call it a game. UFO 50 is a package carrying 50 stand-alone, complete games from some of the most brilliant game designers alive.
The Game of Games
UFO 50 is a masterpiece, and the vast majority of gamers will never play it. A tiny fraction of those who do will manage to play all 50 games. And an infinitesimal percentage of the people on Earth will finish the game in its entirety.
The Project’s Microcosm
The project is a microcosm of the problem that faces players. With so many good games in UFO 50, its players must approach the game as they would the entire video game ecosystem. Be mindful of your time and your priorities. Dabble! Don’t like a game? Drop it! Be comfortable knowing you don’t have to play all 50 games to completion to enjoy UFO 50. In fact, you don’t have to play any of them.
The Gaming Community’s Adaptation
Weeks after its release, fans have come together to solve its mysteries and celebrate their favorite games within the game on Reddit, Twitch, and YouTube. They’ve created lore explainers, role-played within its fictional history, and carried the experience of the game beyond the confines of the software.
Conclusion
UFO 50 is also a capsule of the ways the gaming community has adapted. You won’t play many of 2024’s best games. And yet, with a little effort, you can experience most of their magic.
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