Sports games are a constantly evolving genre, with each iteration bringing something new. However, major updates are usually confined to a change in generations between consoles, something that occurs occasionally every few years. PlayStation 3 games were significantly more complex compared to PlayStation 2 games, while Xbox One dished out some insanely interactive titles that weren’t supported on Xbox 360.
Although every new generation is better than its predecessor in some way, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series era has definitely been somewhat of a let-down. Fewer new features and more graphical updates have led to some disappointment on the consumer end, and they’re not wrong. So let’s talk about why this latest era hasn’t met expectations and what could have been done differently.
Sports Games On The PS5 & Xbox Series X/S Era
To really understand the dilemma at its core, we need to talk about what this generation of consoles has brought to the table. Features like integration and improvement of AI, motion capture and player realism, and enhanced processing speed, to name a few. But the problem with all of these features is that they don’t stand out, or, quite frankly, bring anything new to the table.
If we look at the integration of AI, it has been one of the biggest stepping stones in this era of consoles. AI has been added to almost all features in sports games, be it simulation tactics or trading patterns. The AI can now evaluate and analyze patterns to give you the most effective outcome from the information provided to it. While that’s amazing, and definitely a plus point, one must ask: how did it benefit the player?
Other features, like player realism and better frame rates, are always appreciated. The games today feel a lot smoother and without glitches than previous iterations. But it feels like they’re missing that wow factor. Something to distinguish the PlayStation 5 from the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox Series X/S from the Xbox One.
No one’s arguing the fact that these are amazing quality-of-life improvements that have made gaming much more enjoyable. And it should be noted that today’s point isn’t that this era was a downgrade in any way, but we’re missing the innovativeness and creativity that was brought to us by the generations before these.
There are definitely points that do stand out, though, like the DualSense features in the PlayStation 5 and an expanded list of game modes. These can only be done due to the hardware advancements in the latest consoles, a major reason why many newer games aren’t supported on older generation platforms. However, that begs the question: Is that all we will get now? More updates on redundant game modes to keep them fresh, and a never-ending list of QoL changes?
Graphical Advancements Over Mechanical Innovations
I already talked about how the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series era has significantly prioritized better graphics and processing speed over mechanical innovations, but was it worth it? The answer is both yes and no.
To an extent, graphical advancements are always welcome. You love to see the game run smoother on your new console compared to your old one; otherwise, what’s the point, right? It compels you to keep up to date, buying the newest console and, with it, the newest iteration of the sports game.
But is the trade-off really worth it? Don’t get me wrong, I love a cleaner outlook on the game just as much as any other player, but I’m not sure I’d want it over experiencing something new entirely. If a slowed-down version of creativity in games is what players will need to expect going forward, the compromise might not always be worth it.
Whenever players buy a new game, especially one that does not support older generations, they expect to experience something captivating and never-before-seen. It is this feeling that draws them towards buying the latest editions. Maybe we’ll see a new type of match in WWE 2K26 or some new tricks in NBA 2K26. Perhaps the latest edition of the PGA Tour 2K will feature a swing none of the previous versions had, but unfortunately, we just haven’t been seeing that as much lately.
But that begs the question, does this not shift blame over onto developers rather than the consoles themselves?
The Role Of Developers And Monetization
An increase in monetization is definitely a major driving force behind all these QoL changes. Be it ray-tracing, improved lighting, or more realistic physics during interactions. And that leaves us with one conclusion: monetization is causing reduced innovativeness. This might not be direct because monetization has always been there. But with the yearly release cycles, it seems like developers are focusing more on making the game smoother than making it fun.
They’re looking towards constantly adding realism in sports games. More accurate stats on players, intentional physics on each player interaction, and smarter decisions by the AI. The only problem is when realism overtakes the need for creativity and accessibility. But that is a completely different topic altogether.
For now, it seems that yearly release cycles and live-service models are not focused on bringing in new features as they should be. Older game modes are improved, and gaps between gameplay are filled, but the feeling of new gameplay has vanished altogether.
Evolutionary Over Revolutionary Gameplay
Bringing the topic back to consoles, we need to understand that they do play a major part in shaping updates. A generational leap from an older console to a newer one should be something iconic, enough for it justify players upgrading their devices. If this is the road that sports games go down, players might prefer saving their money for when something new comes along.
Developers must realise that while updated graphics and better simulations are appreciated by the community, they only improve existing features. Many of these problems aren’t given much thought by the average player until a better version comes out. No doubt, major bugs and glitches should be addressed, and if a game is running slowly or constantly crashing, the hardware must be updated. But it cannot come at the cost of innovation.
The community wants to see how the integration of AI affects gameplay and takes it to the next level, game modes or difficulties that challenge players in ways previous editions haven’t done before. Even things like ray-tracing and motion capture can have a significant impact on new features, but the spotlight must be on the feature rather than quality-of-life improvements.
