This is overly generalising in some cases - to me though when I look at what is currently available be it via physical or download release even more so than ever it feels like the same recycled themes, styles and mechanics with little experimentation are being relied on, bit odd to be posting this on Ice-Pick's forum as they are bucking that trend. Yet for the most part I look at what is out there and find myself less and less interested in buying, when I check gog.com or find a neglected corner of a store with a treasure trove of older titles then I find something to be interested in.
Smaller independent pieces are pushing boundaries but overall at least to me it does feel that games are stagnating in the majority of cases, when I see yet another Call of Duty or another bland same generic fantasy MMORPG I can only groan and go rooting around for my copy of Deus Ex or Darwinia. Either that or look for releases like Christine Love's work, not a game developer per se but perhaps that has it's advantages. Also has provided me with games to play that were intelligent, moving and something that I would want to reccomend and encourage other people to play.
The risk averse sequel dependent mindset of the industry really doesn't help that image either. Increasingly intrusive and limiting digital rights measures do little to avert the apathy that I feel when I see new title announcements, mind you they are saving me a considerable amount of money
and the steady reduction in the longevity of games is also a mark against.
The independant sector is more important than ever, I'm just hoping that it continues to inovate and create titles that you can be enthusiastic over and want to encourage others to play, as for me, the larger publishers and developers - it feels like the same old formula being unceremoniously regurgitated along with day of release DLC and two fingers up at the player.
As long as Ice-Pick keep going I'll have some hope though.
As long as there's still debate just as on this forum then I'll be happy.