Ha I’m also 36! To be clear I don’t mean modern games are “better” games, that’s obviously subjective. I mean that the design techniques are more advanced. Games have evolved as designers learn which mechanics and systems are more compelling. There are less rough edges, less places to get stuck… more enticing rewards, more carefully designed progression paths, etc.

This is especially true in most modern “service based” games. Fortnite is an obvious example where there are certain rewards and upgrades that can only be earned by playing every day, and playing at least X hours per season, etc.