I's say 2000.... don't know why, but all the games back then were much more fun and replayability lasted forever with some of them (granted it was multiplayer, but still). Starfleet Command 2 players will know what I was talking about...
Originality, creativity, even decent
basics seem to be missing from most of today's games. It's just a repackage of previous themes into new graphics, or borrowing an old title for a quick, cheap remake to turn some bucks.
I definitely prefer longer games... this is something I loved about the original Half Life. It wasn't a quick and simple 8 hours to save the world, it allowed the player to really get into the game and
enjoy it. I can say the same thing about Tie Fighter... the collector's edition had enough missions to require the game be played over the course of several days to a week or two.
I don't mind short games, but I won't pay full price for one, let alone almost full price. I'm not buying a game for the graphics or (typically thin) storyline / plot, I'm buying it for the fun and experience. The graphics can be outdated, but as long as the multiplayer is fun and I have friends to play with the game can last years.