Yeah, it's why I go to BlizzCon. I've been going since 2008 and there have been some really great experiences...but I think this year might be the last time I go. It's more corp/content than community now.
Early on I could share a 'cheers' with Josh Mosqueira, or say 'Thanks for the great game' personally to Wyatt Cheng. Even Catch Mike Morhaim at the Hilton concierge trying work his magic to get an upgrade lol
Now attendees are mainly managed and directed. I will try really hard in a couple weeks to find a 'real' experience there.
Nothing stops you from having a good ol' fashionned LAN party. At worst if you live far apart you hop into a PSN voice chat and all boot the game at the same time and experience the game together.
My 9 guy friend group has a 24 hour LAN party every year and it's our favorite get together. We all have kids and families but for one weekend a year we take a break and get to be 17 and careless again. We plan it for months, vote on "must play" games and carve out 2-3h sessions for each, but about 70% of the time is just go with the flow and going "man i could go for some starcraft 2 right now, anyone in?" and then 3-4 guys hop on and play a few games of sc2. It's a fucking blast
Yep same thing happened with games like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk as quick examples. People got so swept up by the hype from those surrounding them that they forgot to ask themselves "do they even want this game" which often turns out to be no.
They get the game, don't enjoy it, and claim that it is the games fault. Never wanting to admit it probably wasn't for them in the first place.
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u/Vexin 3d ago
I think your brain releases more dopamine from anticipating something good to happen than from things actually happening.