I think that newer players want more intricate stories and drama. Something they can watch and get invested in like an anime or movie. You can see how this is affecting the gameplay as of late, with constant character interactions trying to make you fall in love with each person that you meet. Leon's is a great example, always going on about his title as the all-important Champion of the region. Where Lance would just occasionally help you out in Gen 2, and never really talk about his rank. Nowadays people will say that those early Pokemon games have "no story". Or that something recent like XY doesn't live up to its contemporaries because the characters aren't don't have enough story.
TLDR times have changed. Storyfags are taking over the playerbase.
>>51619680>I wish these games added dating.Speaking of which, Pokemon Masters exists to basically sell you their human characters. They just added a "Lodge" and everything.
