[basisword]

Games have changed significantly though. I feel like the PS4 in 2013 was the first games console to make online gaming widespread. Playing a self contained game by yourself or in person with friends is a very different experience to loot boxes, IAP’s, and games designed to make you play more and more. Maybe it’s not impactful but I don’t think you can dismiss it as easily as you have.

[vanilla_nut]

Agreed, but I would argue that the PS3/Xbox 360 generation was the first where the majority of console owners played online. I was an adolescent/teenager at the time and it was almost a guarantee that any other boys in my class had one of those consoles and played online. Almost invariably first person shooters.

Very different from today's pay-to-win manipulative Skinner Boxes, but probably not very healthy. Living someplace where I couldn't physically hang out with other kids easily after school (thanks, car culture) it probably helped me build better social skills. But at the cost of my attention span and physical social skills.

It certainly makes me wonder what skill tradeoffs today's video game kids are making.