After returning from a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Survivor went through a myriad of changes. Starting with Survivor 41, new seasons were now 26 days instead of 39 days. There were new advantages and twists. There was less food provided, and the food rewards were far smaller than in the years leading up to the break.
Gameplay has also evolved in Survivor's New Era, as well. It seems as if a strong social game is carrying more weight than other aspects of the game. Sheer strength and physicality has always been very overrated by players, and those cast members tend to get voted out very early, right after the merge, if not before.
Now, players who are obviously more strategic seem to be targeted earlier than in the past, and strong strategic games haven't been rewarded by the juries like in the past. This was clearly the case in season 46, when Kenzie Petty was awarded the title of Sole Survivor because of her well-rounded social game.
The evolution of Survivor from a strategic game to a social game is puzzling
This move away from strong strategic game to more of a social game is a bit puzzling. Most of the New Era cast members have been avid fans. For many of the younger players, Survivor has been around for, basically, their whole lives. Most of them have watched and studied the game inside and out. Yet, the strong strategic players are being targeted early, especially if they also sport great social skills.
A prime example of this during season 46 was Tevin. He was a social butterfly, but he was playing the game, too. He was working on a strong strategy when he was taken out. If he had made it to the end, he would have been a tough person to outduel at final tribal, because of his social game.
The social part of the game has always been an important part of the game. If players didn't have some social skills, it was tough for them to make it to the end. It just seems as if the social part of things may be surpassing the other aspects of the game. If the jury on season 46 is any indication, maybe this new generation of players puts more stock on the social game rather than actual gameplay and big moves.
It's too early to tell, but it will not do the legacy of the game any good if strong strategic players who make big moves aren't rewarded. If those players make it to the final three, they need to be the winners.
According to the preview for Survivor 47, there seem to be some players who want to make some big moves and make a name for themselves in the game. Everyone can hope this is the case, because as much as everyone might like the great social player, audiences want to see big moves and great gameplay. That is how the game is designed. Be social, for sure, but be strategic as well.