@d21lewis: I think the shift came gradually as more buttons were added and the with the shift to 3d. A game like contra can be "pick up and play", todays games are longer experiences, with more complex control schemes and more gameplay elements that are too much for the (cough... intelligence... cough) of the main stream consumer. But this thread is more concerned with the lack of the truly deep games (I mean Academy Award, Sundance, Pulitzer level.)
@BrainBoxLTD: I agree that most of the depth that I enjoy from a game is from the game play. But I don't see why, with even last gen tech, we don't see more mature and realistic content. I understand it's hard to make truly realistic and fun experiences because you need an excuse to kill enemy after enemy. But where are the attempts at realistic gameplay with out senseless mass-murder of zombie insect nazi robots?
The stealth genre was going pretty good, but due to sales concerns have returned to a more action oriented style of gameplay.
Of course I am not just talking about storytelling, controls, graphics or plot. I am going on about a full effort about all of these, while keeping the player engaged. It is a tough challenge, and I can understand why many of you think it won't happen (I don't think it will happen either). I would like to see attempts at it though.
I would cite regulation, but I know you will simply ignore it.
