In the earliest video games, the player typically controlled the movements of a simple icon on the screen  But in newer video games, players often control the movements of detailed human figures -- a feature possible because of the greater technical sophistication of these games  It is hard for players to identify with these figures, since the players can see that the figures represent other people
Thus, in this respect the technical sophistication of the newer video games often makes them less compelling to players
Most early video games in which the player controlled a simple icon on the screen were in other respects less compelling to players than newer video games.