>>48856559Was the first thing I thought of, but yeah no emotional manipulation isn't anything new. It's existed long before the advent of video games, and definitely since their beginning. "Save the princess! Add another 25 cents!" They want you to care so you'll spend more money, always have.
Only difference now is, for you and most of us, we can see what it is now. As kids we don't know that Pikachu following you and reacting to your actions is a way to make us attached to the character, play more hours, buy his merch, etc.
It's 5am, and I think I've lost the point, and it's also about png waifus making dick jokes so maybe,
>>48856580 has the right idea.
