Free-to-play and massively multiplayer online games (MMORPGs) exist in harmony with cinematic single-player experiences that rival theatrical and streaming offerings alike. Having survived the transition to 3D, then HD, the industry has settled in a healthier place. In truth, gaming is in its honeymoon period. But 2023 will stand out, as a year where there’s a windfall of top-tier, industry-redefining games that will set the pace for the years ahead and promptly provide fodder for your favorite internet historian’s next two-hour treatise on a year in excellence. In a world where gaming is a commodity, with more platforms in everyone’s grasp and development tools available to the masses, it takes a lot to stand out. Or there’s 2013, which brought modern epics like Grant Theft Auto V, The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, Dota 2, and revamped Tomb Raider. There’s 1986, the year that gave us 8-bit classics like Metroid, Dragon Quest, The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, and Adventure Island.
When you think about seminal years in gaming, a few instantly come to mind.