For the generation that grew up with an Atari, Commodore 64, and NES, “Video Games” as a form of media were in a constant state of evolution.
This state of constant improvement was expected. And as we grew used to this state of improvement, the market dictated what a “Video Game” was.
It was $50 or $60 or then $70, it came on a cartridge or a disc or was downloaded. It lasted 5 or 10 or 20 or 40 hours. It involved high fidelity graphics, then voice acting, then motion capture.
It involved cut scenes then quicktime events. It gave you missions, it told you a story, it gave you agency, it took away agency. It immersed you, it let you feel powerful.
A fairy or a disembodied voice over a radio or an intercom or a bluetooth earpod told you that you were doing a good job and where to go next.