I might have to look into the older game systems I guess i did indeed miss a few of the old school systems, It's not like I missed most of the gaming era though, my first PC I ever used was a Windows 96, then an XP which I fell in love with (gearhead garage is still one of the best mechanic game you can find[but you'll have to virtualize it for it to run], same with flight sim 04 and train simulator 1 in terms of simulators). and I grew up with every playstation and nintendo(which I now boycott) product made so far. Basically every system I've used has had the ability to buy DLC or expansion packs though, with the exception of the ps1/2, I guess I just don't see how thats that much different from the current day MT's. buy it once in bulk via an additional disk with a serial key, or buy it individually, but I can't say I remember any of my games giving the amount of content that games now have without any extra cost. It's always been either super basic cosmetic customization, or a paid DLC
I just haven't had that experience with the games I've played. It's always been the opposite for me. Maybe it was for the best. Every once and awhile I boot up my ps2 cause thats the oldest system i still carry, but like the simplicity of that platform just doesn't do it, the nostalgic feel can only go so far.
sorry, I am just now realizing I misread your post. I thought you had meant first party content when I originally read the reply. Yea I agree that there are a far good amount of fan made mods and content, it's still prevailed into the current field. I love when games launch with steam workshop support. I disagree that that content doesn't exist anymore though. I still play quite a few games that have a store system and have a functional mod workshop on the side.
I do agree that some companies are lowering their access to their API services, or having that as a secondary thought, but thankfully they aren't at the point where they just won't allow for third party content period. Well mostly anyway, there are a few oddities out there that have cheat software in place that won't allow it but thankfully those are few and far between. I'm currently struggling against the urge to mod my elden ring run myself, because I know that trips the multiplayer AC which will remove networking features.