To all of those, I'd like to see them get toned down, but there's nothing wrong with any of them on a conceptual level. They're just being overused and put into games where those elements don't belong.

For me, I have just four.

1. Reliance on focus-testing and cribbing. These days, it seems publishers won't even tie their shoes unless there is a chart that says 16-22 year-old males approve of tying shoes. They're shoving stuff into games where they really shouldn't because it's what's popular. It's what's given rise to a lot of the trends listed above; publishers too scared to be creative just cribbing from what's popular, and using focus-testing to back it up.

2. Unskippable cut-scenes. These should have died out years ago, but even today you see them in some games. There is no reason to force a player to watch the same scenes over again other than to pad out the run-time.

3. Homogenous pricing. Indie games are helping to kick the door in on this one, but other game companies need to start embracing it. There is nothing sacred about a $60 price point. And with digital distribution gaining traction, up-front costs on the retail end is dropping.

4. Always-on and other Stupid DRM. I get DRM. But it can get pretty ridiculous at times. They seriously need to tone it down with some of these. Companies need to stop going to such stupid lengths to protect their IP that it affects the in-game experience, especially when it doesn't make a lot of sense ( I never played it, but I know some SimCity players were upset about this a few months back).

Completely agree with #6. I'm sick of being punished for not scouring every corner of a bloody room. >.

I like dubstep =(

LOL. Collecting things for no reason. My favorite!!!

That's why I stay with Nintendo, because they don't make games that have anything to do with FPS.

I think Brutal Melee takedowns should stay. It worked for Gears of War. It should only be allowed to stay when warranted.

QTE's kill cinematic immersion, but they are used properly in the minigame process and demand some sort of skill.

1. Mixed feelings, can be done right or wrong, I think tweaked here could be fine.
2. No issue with these
3. This has been an issue since early games had characters. There is story character and game play character.
4. Holding your breath period is nerve wracking, I hate swimming sections with breath.
5. In 90% of cases be fine to see them go. I like how Last of Us allowed the prompts to be optional.
6. I love collecting stuff (also, wasn't the N64 the hey day of this?). I do like a payoff like skins, hidden level, ultimate weapon, etc. though
7. Not sure on this to be honest.
8. I still really do not know what this means. So, no comment.

I remember reading the news letter section in an EGM mag about 10 or 11 years ago, right around the time of the birth of XBL. It was a letter from some teenage boy who was concerned about the future of gaming. We was worried that XBL and people's newfound obession with online MP would end up ruining single player games. The editor basically dispelled the notion, saying the MP will always be an "add on", but it turns out, the teenager was right to be worried. I think the realization of this for me was COD4's single player lasting all of about, what was it...7 hours? lol.

I'm just hoping it's a fad, and changes over time into something in the middle. If it's done right, it can add to any game. It's only when MP cannibalizes single player that I get upset.

Ratchet Nexus=$30 at launch

Sly 4=$40 at launch

Puppeteer=$40 at launch

Sony is at least giving this a try with some of their exclusives now let's reward them with volume of sales!  (loved Sly 4 by the way and wouldn't have bought it at $60 right away it was my favorite in the series)

Indeed. I honestly think that the $60 price tag is what has been killing the industry, but the realities of retail have made it very hard to pull off until now. It's encouraging, but we need more people to embrace Digital Distribution before it can really improve.