Studies: Many long-time gamers searching for meaning.

[SvennoJ]

The adventure game genre was very popular back then, very little game play, all story and characters. They also created other connections. The internet didn't exist yet, so you often ended up discussing the games with friends and neighbors when stuck at a certain puzzle. They were also fun to play together, two minds see more than one.

The vast connectivity of the internet has reduced people's face to face interactions. You don't go to a friend's house anymore to play games together, you blab into a headset instead. Split screen is rare nowadays, co-op is usually online only. Maybe that's why more people are looking for connection with game stories. Also as you get older you have less time to spend with friends face to face. That could also add to putting more importance on feeling a connection with a game or game character.