For kicks I decided to look at the highest earners in regards to the modern games. I noticed one thing right off the bat. China, South Korea, and Japan dominate many, many, many of these games. There are very popular games where an American doesn't even rank in the top 50.
Wes Copeland has recently stated that the Japanese Donkey Kong community is one that has been growing in recent years.
In the Tetris championships that have been going on for the past 7 years a newcomer to the championships came from Japan. They said he had a hyper thumb pressing style that only Thor has been able to manage in the U.S. In his first time out, this man made it to the semi-finals.
Will the people from these countries have a much greater influence on classic gaming? Only time will tell, but I see it as a good thing. After all, there are "world records" attached to these games.