Modern standards of graphics have spoiled me a little I admit, at least in the AAA market, but do take it for granted? I would say no. I'm not the most vain of individuals when it comes to games, I just expect certain standards and I'd say that's perfectly fair. If there is anything that's going to ruin gaming for me, it will be one or both of the following;
This push towards "live services" where you have to always be online, but the game holds no such demands for itself.
The freemium concept. Mobile gaming is a complete joke to me because of it, but it's already creeping out of that cesspit and into other platforms, especially on PC's with so many of these rat pellets now available on both.
Let me guess, the "political pandering" you speak off is whenever a game features characters that aren't straight white men? Oh no! Our hero is named Aisha off to save her girlfriend! Gaming is doomed... why?