12. What are some of the most influential and important games released to the general public within the last few years?

To determine some of the most influential and important games released within the last few years, you can consider factors such as critical acclaim, commercial success, cultural impact, and industry recognition. Here are a few examples:

1. "Fortnite" (2017): Developed by Epic Games, it popularized the battle royale genre and became a cultural phenomenon with its free-to-play model, cross-platform functionality, and vibrant in-game events.

2. "Minecraft" (2011, but still relevant): Known for its endless creativity and open world, it has seen continued success and has become one of the best-selling video games of all time.

3. "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" (2017): Released alongside the Nintendo Switch, this game reimagined the Zelda franchise with its expansive open world, nonlinear gameplay, and innovative mechanics, setting a new standard for open-world adventure games.

4. "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" (2017): Often credited for popularizing the battle royale genre, it brought intense, large-scale multiplayer battles to the mainstream, inspiring numerous other games in the process.

5. "Pokémon Go" (2016): This augmented reality mobile game became a global phenomenon, enticing players to explore the real world while capturing Pokémon using their smartphones. It showcased the potential of AR technology and led to a resurgence in the popularity of Pokémon.

6. "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" (2015): Developed by CD Projekt Red, this critically acclaimed open-world RPG introduced players to a rich, immersive fantasy world, demonstrating the potential for storytelling and depth in modern video games.

Remember that this is not an exhaustive list, and the significance of games is subjective. However, these examples highlight games that have had a profound impact on the industry and popular culture in recent years.