rtcvb32: I recall a while back that developers said they needed to raise prices for higher quality games, and the community revolted and said no. So they are cutting content, DLC, micro-transactions, etc.
It would be SOOO much easier to just back off and go for quality levels a little easier to develop for rather than trying to make things photo realistic and using as many filters/effects. Honestly a LOT of PS2 games are still awesome today, gameplay and graphics-wise. If they HAVE to have higher level graphics, then develop for the 360/PS3 level and stop after that, rather than pushing the envelope.
Imho all the effects in current gen AAA games are extremely distracting for me. I practically have no selective perception, so playing PS2 games is actually a lot more fun for me, although I mostly play classics and indies where even in HD there's not too much going on. I love Trine though, there are tons of distracting nice details, but you usually have the time to progress in your own pace.
When it comes to the biggest publishers, there's no clear difference between movies and games anymore, both have the same problems and the active part in games is constantly being reduced.
Randalator: That's why you don't buy on release day but wait for the inevitable GOTY/Ultimate/Definitve/Whatever Collection instead which gives you the whole package for a fraction of the price.
Game Buying 101
Exactly.
Go buy some older complete games and you're good, it's
way cheaper, already patched and you don't have to install so much stuff separately.