The Meta is Killing Gaming.

You’re playing the game WRONG! You should do this instead – Sounds familiar?

The meta is ruining gaming and it is not in a subtle way. It is straight up removing the fun and creativity in gaming. Games used to be about messing around, having fun, trying out dumb builds and discovering things on your own. Look at what is happening to it now. Even before the game or a new update drops – or even before it releases – there are already tier lists, “MUST HAVES”, guides and min-maxing spreadsheets etc. telling you exactly how you should play the game. And many people are blindly following these “guides” – no thinking, no experimenting, simply just copy-pasting gameplay.

GachaHub’s Youtube video on Genshin Impact’s future updates and guide

Have a look at a game like Genshin Impact. A game that is an open world, RPG style that has a vast number of characters, endless team combinations, a unique, one-of-a-kind elemental reaction system and many more in-game systems that SHOULD encourage creativity and experimentation but is simply overlooked. All because everyone is now running on the same few meta teams because certain characters are “inefficient” or “not strong enough”. It does not matter if a character is fun, if they are not able to fit into the current and upcoming meta rotation, they get benched or trashed by the community.

This is the real issue that is being addressed here is – Having fun is no longer the priority – efficiency is.

What’s the point of playing if you can’t even play properly?

– A fellow player in Genshin Impact

There are many ways where one can enjoy games – collecting your favorite characters, exploration, enjoying the music etc. There is no, one specific checklist or method to play a game like Genshin Impact. It is disheartening to see the community instantly label a new character or game update as “broken” or “worthless” without even giving a chance to enjoy them for the sake of enjoying it.

Screenshot of my Genshin Impact Character Page

While the meta is a fool proof and easy method to clear in-game content with ease, being too overly dependent and obsessed with it kills discovery and enjoyment. This is why many players find themselves easily burnt out and tired of the game. But in reality, you are tired of playing the same teams in the same routine.

JJJackal Youtube video on about burn out on Genshin

When every gaming session is all about playing “correctly”, the game stops being a game, turning into a chore instead.