Well this is about videogames solely which is a hobby. Retail console games that you need to be connected just to play is bad, IMO, for reasons like now. If servers can be hacked or companies shutting it down after a few years rendering a game you paid for unplayable doesn't sound like it's that much forward to me. Same thing with nearly every game needing a day one patch to work properly.
Curious to see how "retro" gaming is going to play out when in the next few generations.
The days of offline are over.
"Retro" and offline gaming is already becoming a niche market.
Sure, a hand full of games will thrive but online gaming is forward and growing.
This will not change.
You say it is about video but obviously the tech world sees it differently. This is an exact example of where things are going and has been used as a reference point for NOT ONLY gaming, but from everything to Apple Pay and Online banking to Ordering groceries online and same day grocery delivery service.
To see this as only about gaming, I would say respectfully...that you need to really look around and see what is going on. This "hack" represents so much more than gaming.