The world around us is always changing, and gamers evolve with it over the years. Alongside economic growth, tech advances, and better living conditions, today’s gamers enjoy amazing opportunities to dive into their passion. Let’s compare the biggest differences between gamers from back then and now.
Back then, gaming was a secret hobby, now it’s open and accepted
About 15 years ago, online games were often seen as a problem, blamed for hurting students’ academic performance. Some even linked gaming to social issues. Parents definitely didn’t like the idea of their kids spending time at internet cafes. That’s where the term “gank net” (raiding internet cafes) came from. In general, gamers had to play in secret.
But things are different now. The esports industry is booming, and the stigma around gaming has faded. You’ll even see gaming tournaments featured on TV news. Those kids who used to skip school to play are now respected parents themselves, so it’s no surprise they don’t forbid their children from gaming like before. It’s common to see little kids as young as 4 or 5 openly playing games like Arena of Valor or Free Fire right in front of their parents.
Back then, any game was good enough, now games have to look great and play well
In the past, there weren’t many games to choose from, so players stuck with what was available. This made games a memorable part of childhood. Graphics and specs didn’t matter much as long as the game was fun. Ask anyone who played the Heroes series, and most wouldn’t care if the characters looked good or not.
Nowadays, the gaming industry is so developed that players expect more. Games have to look stunning with high specs and lively graphics just to get noticed, before even considering if the gameplay is unique. It’s fair to say Vietnamese gamers have become more picky.
Back then, gamers were all in and saved every penny, now many quit after a few weeks
Of course, not all changes are positive. One thing today’s gamers could learn from the past is passion and dedication.
Back then, getting a game disc or even money to play at an internet cafe was a big deal that required saving every penny. Characters in games were like personal treasures. But now, things have changed. Some games are made just to be played for a week or two before being abandoned. Many players jump from server to server or game to game, and the idea of sticking with one game feels almost like a luxury.
