Playing We the Giants, it's easy to imagine what the game could have been. In its heyday, the game would have taken on a whole new meaning. As the game stands now, your sacrifice means nothing. Nobody is there to appreciate it and nobody will use your sacrifice to get closer to the stars. However, when more players are there, your sacrifice means something. The sum total of all the sacrifices of players accomplishes something, rendering each sacrifice meaningful.
This observation points to an interesting social aspect of video games and gives some insight into accomplishment in video games and the contribution networks play in them. In single player games, accomplishments feel good but the rush you get from them is dependent on how immersed you are in the game and how much you forget about reality. In games like We the Giants, the accomplishment isn't dependent on how much you forget about reality but rather how connected you feel to the game and the others playing the game.
Earlier this year, I tried to pick up Assassins Creed 2 and replay it, but I struggled to stay engaged. Although I love the game and the story, my mind kept straying and I wanted to play a more modern games, not for the graphics, but because I knew other people were playing it. I remember playing it on Xbox 360 with my other friends, talking about an competing to be the first to finish the game. The game felt so alive and engaging when I was aware that my friends were playing along and had experienced what I experienced along with me. Recently, when I played Assassins Creed Odyssey with my friend playing it next door, I felt what I had from Assassins Creed 2 once again.
This, I feel, is why Call of Duty sells game after game despite the games being virtually the same thing. I've purchased every Call of Duty for as long as I can remember when it comes out, not because it's new and i'm particularly excited to try the new maps or new features (in fact, my favorite call of duty from recent memory was the port of COD 4 to Xbox One) but because I crave that feeling and rush you get from playing those first few weeks, when everybody is excited and new to the game and matchmade games feel magic, as I feel the excitement of those I'm playing with (or at least perceived excitement) and get excited myself in turn.
I would say that GTA V has remained popular largely due to two reasons, its sandbox elements but most importantly GTA online. The intricate mechanics and side-story-esque quests create a large quantity of hours of gameplay for completionists. However, with the introduction of the MMORPG gameplay and social elements of GTA online, it has turned the GTA series into more of the "live-service" experience where constant updates keep fans occupied and loyal to the game. There's also the fantasy/role-playing aspect of GTA online and other MMORPGs, where individuals sink countless hours into their customized avatar as they view it as somewhat an extension/representation of themselves.
Based on your reasoning, how would you explain a game like GTA V staying popular for so many years?