The age before the internet and monetization where we owned are games and internet penetration hadn't allowed companies to steal videogames functionality with drm.
The 90's AAA game modding scene was heads and shoulders above the modern AAA space because there was no internet, there was no incentive to hold back free level editors, file specs, access to contents inside the game files.
The last 20 years has undermind that hugely in big budget games. How could would have it have been to have level editing and a programming SDK for Need for speed Most wanted 2005? OR mass effect 1 + 2 for instance?
We've definitely lost a lot as game companies are forcing games into the mainframe dumb client model. AKA literally preventing you from owning the game you are buying.
Given that has always been the end goal of these companies since the beginning. Game preservation is going to be a nightmare going forward for all these server locked games.
So to say now is the golden age, means you're basically clueless about game preservation and what the mainframe/cloud model means for your basic rights.
The agenda is to turn PC into a more heavily drm'd locked down platform like mobile and control your software remotely.
Software as a service is literally a scam to invade your privacy, get you locked in and then jack up/extort you.
Look at all the DLC for SF V or Guilty Gear for instance. Huge amounts of cut content, sold back to you at ridiculously inflated prices.
Nothing like that existed in the 90's because there was no internet and analyticis to target stupid spendthrifts. Internet Analytics to target the spendthrift gamers has seriously fucked up gaming.