Study Finds Gamers Ditching Deep Strategy Games

A recent study by Quantic Foundry suggests a significant decline in the appeal of games that require deep strategy. Over nine years of data, the study reveals that 67% of gamers today show less interest in strategic thinking and planning compared to June 2015. The research looked at various gaming motivations, including Destruction, Excitement, and Community, but found that strategy alone experienced a noticeable decline. This shift in gaming preferences may be linked to the increasing cognitive overload from social media. Despite this trend, strategy games like "Capes," a turn-based strategy RPG, and a new "Civilization" game are still in development.

The study suggests that the decline in interest might be due to cognitive overload from social media, which makes it harder for people to engage in complex strategic thinking. Another hypothesis is that the persistent negativity and emotional manipulation on social media platforms contribute to this trend.

XCOM, a notable tactical series mentioned in the study, has been influential in defining modern strategy games. Launched in 1994, the series is known for its challenging gameplay that requires careful decision-making, resource management, and tactical combat. Its enduring appeal among strategy game fans highlights the potential longevity of well-designed strategic titles despite current trends.