User blog comment:Lord Dalek/Why all the hype?/@comment-1992639-20120510015850

Remember that a lot of Skyrim players are young and got introduced only now to the franchise because the internet has reached a point where you do not need to keep an eye open at the game genres you like, instead you're literally bombarded with anticipated titles. Platforms such as Steam which become far more used in the last 3 or so years promote such important titles also.

It's not so much down to graphics, spells or ragdolls as it is a result of mass-media and endless reviews. Had the same been done at this scale during Morrowind or Oblivion, it'd be equally hyped. In the next decade, social networking will probably take such an overbearing form that your own grandmother will ask if you heared of that one new game yet everyone talks about.