• 2Apr 12

  Call To Arms, So To Speak

  So let's get right to the point here, the gaming industry is crashing and crashing hard. Not economically, but creatively. Every day we see more stories of GameX 4 coming out, or players required a fee to access features of a game they have already purchased. This is beyond disgusting in my honest opinion. Has the professional development community fallen so far that they would rather take an old game, tweak the engine and slap a new title onto it instead of coming up with something fresh and new? Sure there are those few instances of some software developer or indie developer winning tremendous accolades for a new and innovative game, but there are far more of the GoTY awards going to a game I played last year and the year before that, with a pretty, new label. I hate to admit but it is honestly making me grow bored with video gaming.

  (Non sequitor) I have returned to my roots of playing classic 8 and 32 bit games and love it.

  I'm beginning to notice a pattern here and it is very bleak. I call it "2000-1983." For those of you who don't know what I mean I'm talking about the video game crash in the 80's that was ended by a wonderfully innovative company known as Nintendo. The crash itself was brought on by an over-saturation of titles, which in turn led to a drastic decline in quality. See where we're headed?

  And that my dear friends is just software. Let's just peek at our future in terms of hardware. Since we have no real confirmations to go on, we'll just look at the rumors. The primary being that 2/3 of the next-gen consoles will REQUIRE a constant internet connection to play online. Now the last I checked online access was a luxury for gaming consoles, when did it become a must? The problems with this idea are many. First off high-speed access, believe it or not, is not available in all areas to the extent or quality that gaming requires. Second being that there is no legitimate reason to require an online connection at all times besides to monitor. Invasion of privacy? Essentially the companies are trying to cover their own arses because of my next point...blocking used games. Now I don't know if these people just have some personal vandetta against companies such as GameStop (no blame there) or they just want that dough from all the "new" games. Personally, and I think everyone can agree, I believe its the latter of the two. Now I can't say that I don't blame them for wanting to make sure they don't lose money from their product, but let's look at the facts here. Most games don't end up on a used game rack until a rather lengthy, and I do mean lengthy, amount of time has passed. At this point developers have dropped support for the games and are looking at their next title. (Back to that over-saturation remark) Second being, maybe if they didn't create such a mediocre title and slap that 60+ buck price tag on the titles they wouldn't end up back on someones shelves. Look at the retro gaming scene, most people still own games that are 15 or more years old and still play them, I myself included.

  (Non sequitor 2) you guys should google "handheld emulator" trust me its a great investment.

  On disc DLC, let's not start we all know that's just morally wrong and borderline extortion. Now I can't say for sure that the industry will ever fall into that deep dark pit men like Shigeru Miyamoto hauled its arse out of, I would honestly like it to see it teeter on the edge though. Starve the market it will refocus it's aims and goals and come back strong. Maybe the industry itself could use a reset button......................

  • Posted Apr 2, 2012 9:49 pm GMT
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• 12Jul 11

  Keeping it Fresh

  Ok so if any of you out there actually read my blogs then you'll know that there is one very big issue that I have with video games these days, originality. It seems to be a common theme among all of my posts. For those of you who may not know what my thoughts or my history on this subject, let me be very clear. I DO NOT think games these days are original in any way. Now with that being said I would also like to defend myself in saying that I am not criticizing the quality of these games, for the most part I still enjoy the ones I play. However, I can't help feeling that year after year im playing the same game with prettier pictures. I'm sure that many of you veteran gamers out there would agree with me on this as well.

  Now you may be asking what brings on your rage this time? Well I just read the articles where companies such as EA are beginning to purchase up the smaller more social oriented companies. In those articles I read a few comments where some "gamers" do not feel that the attention games like Angry Birds garner is merrited. It's clear to me that what these individuals do not realize that these companies are able to accomplish something that bigger companies these days focus less on, and that is making an amazingly fun game that is both original and more importantly, simple.

  Most of these tweenie gamers today wouldn't even consider playing a game if the graphics weren't in 3 dimensions and were fast paced. This is disappointing because it means that the future of our beloved industry will never see the golden era we grew up with. I remember when the graphics of a game was a plus not a focal point. Let's face it mobile games like Plants vs. Zombies and Minigore have that entertainment factor that has been lost for 10+ years.

  So in short I applaud companies like PopCap and Chillingo! Keep up the good work guys, never let these big shot publishers take away what has given you the recognition and praise you so rightly deserve. Please remain those elder knights of nostalgia and quality.

  p.s. - can we pleae get more content for Minigore? I love that game and would like a possible campaign of sorts.

  • Posted Jul 12, 2011 8:17 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 2Jun 11

  Death of Console Gaming.

  So, I was perusing around in the gaming news today and found the headline regarding the new CoD: Elite service. All I can say is damn. I'm glad I am as old as I am so that I was able to enjoy the golden age of video gaming. That would be the N64 era for all you -20 yr olds. Nowadays it seems like all the big console developers care about any more is how they can drain ever last silver drop from consumers pockets. Forgive me for saying but I find this as a personal insult. Now not only do I have to give up on of my most beloved hobbies, I now the obstacle of raising my children to know the glory that once was of video games.

  Every day it seems like the market is flooded with cut and paste copies of the games it shares shelf space with. Most shootes are now imitating those before it. They never seem to want to spice things up. I feel like when I pick one up, I'm purchasing the same game again. The same is true with most action adventure games today. Different story, same gameplay. I mean, I understand the concept of go with what works, but when did developers become scared sissies. It used to be that video game developers were the pioneers of all that was digitally artistic. Every game that was released managed to draw the players in, hug them tightly, and give us an experience unlike anything we've seen before. We would spend months anticipating what new releases would give us a mind blowing adventure next. Now all we do is anticipate how the next game will probably be prettier visually. Nothing is ever imaginitive anymore.

  Now, some of you may be asking why is this titled "Death of Console Gaming?" Well, my dear friends, the answer is quite simple; PC games do not suffer from the same constraints of console games. True most games that are made for consoles also come out on PC. However, most PC games offer their players tools to enhance and customize their experience. When someon purchases a console game, the only thing left to look forward to is DLC. Which puts us at the mercy of the developers once again. PC gamers with mod tools do not see games in the same light. They don't spend their time waiting for the next DLC, they make it. They develop sites, community, and forums all dedicated to the enhancement and customization of games. They collaberate, they manipulate, and they create what they want, when they want. And the entired community is constantly blessed with game changing enhancements. Sadly, not all developers feel they should release mod tools for their games, but they do receive backlash for their decisions. And rightly so.

  PC gamers also aren't as finicky as console gamers. Therefore, developers of PC only games tend to take greater risks in terms of innovation with their products. Most PC titles these days have something to offer that other games lack, and that is what all games deserve, nay what all PLAYERS deserve. Not this cookie cutter excuse of new title. But when you think about it the term new title is exactly what you're buying. Same game, NEW title.

  Oh, well maybe one day we will all wise up, players and developers alike, and finally come to an agreement that the same ole is just too old.

  • Posted Jun 2, 2011 1:27 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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