[copx]

>The point being that new stuff isn’t just competing with new stuff but also old stuff.

I think that this will become a bigger and bigger problem for the games industry.

While movies, TV shows, literature, and music are always expressions of a particular time/culture/generation, games are usually much more universal.

E.g. young people today find Friends more problematic than funny, but have no problem enjoying Mario Kart.

[johnnyanmac]

It depends on the game and especially studio. AAA western studios definitely sanitized themselves, but Japanese games feel pretty ageless (or dated, if you're cynical) in terms of its writing and characters.

Big difference is definitely that separation of realism. Literature is from a specific experience, TV shows try to reflect experiences. Games about a fat italian plumber throwing mushooms at go-karts doesn't really reflect any society in the last century.

[pharrington]

> Games about a fat italian plumber throwing mushooms at go-karts doesn't really reflect any society in the last century.

very tru. Much unlike Rock n' Roll racing, which reflected the very real American experience of trying to get ahead in life by angrily launching missiles directly into the car in front of you, all while rocking out to Black Sabbath.

[bigstrat2003]

I wouldn't say that at all. People are thin-skinned about plenty of games too.

[Mistletoe]

Why is Friends problematic?

[johnnyanmac]

Humor that didn't age well but was funny for its time. the gay/crossdressing/fat jokes that were normal 20 years ago that wouldn't pass today are a starting point.