The announcement of the Avengers game was met with immense excitement and anticipation, especially in the wake of the Infinity Saga's success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the popularity of Insomniac's first Spider-Man game. However, the game's eventual reveal as a Games as a Service offering quickly dampened the enthusiasm, as the author realized the potential pitfalls of this business model. Despite the game's compelling story, the shallow and repetitive gameplay ultimately led to a disappointing experience, highlighting the broader issues with the Games as a Service approach.

A Missed Opportunity in the Superhero Gaming Realm

The Avengers game's announcement trailer was a moment of pure excitement for the author, who had high hopes for the project. The success of the Infinity Saga in the MCU and the popularity of Insomniac's Spider-Man game had set the stage for a potentially groundbreaking superhero gaming experience. The author's initial reaction was one of optimism, believing that the developers would not be able to "mess this up."However, the author's enthusiasm quickly turned to disappointment when the game was revealed to be another addition to the growing list of Games as a Service offerings. This realization was a sobering moment, as the author recognized the inherent flaws and limitations of this business model, which often prioritizes ongoing monetization over delivering a truly engaging and fulfilling gaming experience.

The Allure and Pitfalls of Games as a Service

The author's experience with Destiny 2 serves as a cautionary tale for the Games as a Service approach. While acknowledging the game's qualities as a "good game in this style," the author ultimately put it down, recognizing the fundamental flaws of this realm of gaming. The author's high hour count in Destiny 2 is a testament to the initial appeal of these types of games, but the realization that the "juice is worth the squeeze" becomes increasingly elusive as the leveling systems and collection mechanics become more dependent on time-based events and grinding.The Avengers game exemplified these issues, as players were repeatedly dumped into the same levels with the same enemies, with no meaningful story progression or gameplay evolution to keep them engaged. This lack of variety and meaningful content ultimately led to players abandoning the game, a scenario that the author believes is not the fault of the developers, but rather the fault of the companies that have embraced the Games as a Service model.

Rethinking the Games as a Service Approach

The author argues that the Games as a Service model is not a genre, but rather a business model that has been applied to games in a misguided manner. Drawing a comparison to the fighting game genre, the author notes that the release of Mortal Kombat 1 and Street Fighter 6 in the same year did not feel like a choice, as these games could be enjoyed separately without encroaching on each other's time commitment.In contrast, the author suggests that the simultaneous release of Destiny 2 and Avengers forces players to make a choice, as the time commitment necessary to truly engage with these Games as a Service offerings becomes a significant barrier. The author hopes that the industry will slow down on this approach and take a critical look at the sustainability and impact of the Games as a Service model, not only on the developers but also on the gamers themselves.

The Need for a Balanced Approach

The author's experience with the Avengers game serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for a more balanced and thoughtful approach to game development and release. The author notes that the failure of Rocksteady's Suicide Squad game and Crystal Dynamics' Avengers game should be a wake-up call for the industry, as these setbacks are not solely the fault of the developers, but rather a reflection of the inherent challenges posed by the Games as a Service model.The author argues that it is time for the industry to do right by both the developers and the gamers, recognizing that the current approach is not sustainable and is ultimately detrimental to the overall gaming ecosystem. By rethinking the Games as a Service model and exploring alternative approaches that prioritize engaging and fulfilling gaming experiences, the industry can regain the trust and loyalty of its most valuable stakeholders – the players.