too much convenience in other games...

[spukrian]

The computer/video game industry is corrupt. Back in the day, gaming was a niche, filled with enthusiasts. Now, gaming companies only think about profit, that means going for the Lowest Common Denominator, i.e. casual gamers, people who only want to relax for an hour or so (after work, dinner and putting the kids to bed).

That's why a game today can't be challenging, because if it is, then it will take too much time to finish it, which is bad because the average casual gamer today has no attention span to speak of, he/she might give up and that's bad, since then he/she won't buy and play the gazillion sequels and spinoffs that the company will make.

This is why there is so much focus on stories in games. The game has to be CINEMATIC and EDGY, in order to evoke an emotional response. Because writing an intellectually compelling story is too difficult when it's target audience just "wants to relax"...