one of the things I find disturbing about modern AAA games, where "modern" means "made in the last 15 years", is how gameplay mechanic bugs will persist within a save

I know I've talked about this before, awhile back. but think about what that must mean! the gameplay mechanics are somehow hooked into save state, and if the state gets screwed up, mechanics change. absolute madness 

 @d only see this problem with Gamebryo/Creation engine games (Bethesda games) 

 I'm confused. Do you mean like how in total war all your saves die every patch?