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While I admire the ideas behind patient gamers and think it probably works out really well for some people, I personally also enjoy participating in the zeitgeist from time to time. Playing Elden Ring on launch was fantastic - you really felt like you were exploring the world alongside everyone else as you’re finding Ashes and weapons that don’t even have wiki entries yet.

The thing is you don’t actually have to look at wiki entries or any media surrounding game hype really. I have virtually no spoilers on Elden ring and I still haven’t played it.

Yeah but it’s not really the same thing years later when most people are long finished with the game. Was the same with playing BG3 around release last year, participating in conversations with friends and strangers alike about discoveries in the game as it’s happening and everyone is talking about it and playing it at the same time. I’m sure similar things happened this year with Black Myth Wukong and Silent Hill 2 Remake to some extent, though I didn’t play those.

It’s not about spoilers so much as participating in the buzz and culture and community that only really occurs around release.

Skelemental

@Coelacanth @ndondo yeah the games are lower priced later because their value actually does decrease. I find myself simply never playing or purchasing games that I was going to wait for a price drop on. It’s kind of like watching a championship game from years ago. Even if you personally don’t know the outcome something is lost from not being in the right moment for it. This varies more with games but I think people undersell it.

I see your perspective. I think the difference with me is that I don’t value the cultural moment very much and more so care if the game is good aside from hype. The main exception being multiplayer games. Those mostly are active when they’re new.