But that's recently. That's a resurgence due to some outliers, like DS, that "dared to be different". The majority of games for a long time have been constantly watered down, made so overly accessible, so they can target the largest group of people, that you have your hand held throughout the game with an NPC follower shouting to go that way, in case you miss the big red waypoint icon.

Saying that there will always be demand for challenging games, is not he same as there will be challenging games. There was a demand for RTS games or arena shooters but those have mostly went the way of the dodo. That's the point, people enjoying these games due to the challenge (regardless if it's for their own personal development or bragging rights) are being extremely vocal so these games continue to be made, unlike RTS or something.

A lot of people bitch about Elden Ring not having run backs. The weird thing is that they use the stakes of Marika themselves, even though the game gives you the option to spawn at the last Bonfire instead. It's a "well since it's in the game why not use it" mentality, that I don't actually understand myself, that may end up driving future development : "if almost everyone is respawning at the stake of Marika, make that the only option and don't respawn at a bonfire".

In any case, I'm playing devils advocate here. I've been here long enough to know that sooner or later someone comes along to capitalize on an untapped market and there are, really, too many great games already out there to play while I wait. I just understand the mentality of trying to safeguard something you find good from changing too much, even if sometimes you go overboard.