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| 7 JAN 2009 at 12:53am | |
AyaGrand Inquisitor  Posts : 7277 Joined: 16 OCT 2002 Status : Offline | it's been a pretty bad couple of years... the ratio of good/great over mediocre/bad adventures has been constantly leaning towards the latter, growing bigger every second... with a couple of brilliant exceptions like culpa innata and the lost crown (both "top 20 of all time" material) that really gave me the feeling that i used to get when playing adventures, even the good/great ones of the past couple of years didn't manage to "save" my hopes for the genre - after you've played belief & betrayal, nothing but complete and unmovable hopelessness sets in... all that to the point that i started to believe that it was me, and not the games... that somehow i lost my interest in adventure gaming, and i projected that to "bad games"... the last straw came with vampyre story, which i was anticipating as the messiah... was it a bad game? no, not at all... so, what was wrong with it? it was indifferent... well "is" indifferent i should say, since, technically, i am still playing... nothing within this game, save the beautiful gfx, shows anything special... all is lukewarm - the story, the characters, the puzzles... i just picked it up again today, after having dropped it for a few days, and i played for about 20 mins where i got so bored it felt like 8 hours... this one was the one that crossed the line... so in order to figure out if it is me that has the problem or the games themselves, i am putting myself to the sierra test - a marathon of sierra games that will last for several weeks, maybe months... started with larry 1, the vga version (only played the first version on amiga) and so far i believe it was not me after all, since i am absolutely loving it! it's only natural that when i needed someone to put my adventuring faith in, it was sierra that saved the day! and at the moment, with the exception of 2 or 3 titles (especially culpa innata 2 and darkfall 3), i couldn't care less about what games will be released, or even if anything will be released at all, and the queue of games i had, featuring titles from 2008, has been completely rearranged, with all those titles kicked out... for the first time since 1988 i felt ready to quit adventure gaming, but it is sierra that is pulling me back! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!! 8-) You have gotten the attention of the mysterious lady. She turns to face you. Her face is devoid of any flesh. You are frozen with horror as she begins ripping your body into a bloody mess. |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 1:39am | |
HalcyonSchattenjger  Posts : 1655 Joined: 17 NOV 2006 Status : Offline | Whatever works, Aya. I just finished TLJ and I have enough to think about for quite some time. It was fulfilling and refreshing! I'm diving into Dreamfall, quite confident that I know what a true, immersive, and epic game is all about. I mean, why not hold other so-called "A" games to this standard? Why be confused that you're not right about what you truly enjoy? So, even as I play Dreamfall again, I'm treading water, willing to be simply entertained or distracted until the next new epic comes along for me. _________________ |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 1:50am | |
Goddess of All Things MagicalSchattenjger Posts : 1565 Joined: 27 MAY 2003 Status : Online | Aya, I feel the same way about Sierra when I fire up a Gabriel Knight game to play again. &&&&Listening to XM Radio Starbucks Cafe Channel 45&&[IMG]http://img227.echo.cx/img227/8458/dancelikenooneiswatching6ld.png[/IMG] |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 9:58am | |
AyaGrand InquisitorPosts : 7277 Joined: 16 OCT 2002 Status : Offline | Originally Posted By TAS (7 JAN 2009 1:39am) oh, i do, which is why i mentioned ci and tlc in my post... i could, instead, have started playing my top 20 games... but there's smth about sierra that feels just right... plus, some of those games i haven't played in over a decade (and a couple not a all) Why be confused that you're not right about what you truly enjoy? well, mainly because ppl change... it's been 20 years, and suddenly i've found myself not liking or finding indifferent the majority of what i played, so i thought it could be me changing... but, after starting larry, i believe it was the games after all :-/ (btw the "is it me?" feeling got amplified from the fact that alkis, who has more or less the same taste in adventures as me, absolutely loved vampyre story... but then again, he didn't like culpa innata, so it could be him changing! ) You have gotten the attention of the mysterious lady. She turns to face you. Her face is devoid of any flesh. You are frozen with horror as she begins ripping your body into a bloody mess. |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 2:44pm | |
Agustín CordesGuild Master  Posts : 5696 Joined: 23 OCT 2002 Location: AR, Buenos Aires Status : Offline | Oddly enough, I've been out of touch with current adventures and have also begun replaying oldies (including some pending assignments for me such as the Police Quest series). Truth to be told, many old classics turn out being worst than what I remembered them, but I think it's the naivety of yesteryear games what makes them so appealing. Kinda like 80's pop music. As for now... Jonathan is probably going to kill me but I *still* haven't played Lost Crown. You've convinced me though so I'll be playing that next. I agree about Vampyre Story. It basically gets most things right... but feels SO damn tired. I was already bored by the time I explored the castle. I probably wasn't in the right mood so I'll give it another chance... The jokes are definitely bad though. Have you tried The Scorpio Ritual? So far, so good. It plays surprisingly good and something (I don't know what the hell, likely the atmosphere) just got me hooked. It gets right what other similar and lackluster adventures such as Nibiru got wrong. Slightly Deranged - Cult Cinema And Games! |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 2:58pm | |
avatar_58Private Detective  Posts : 403 Joined: 27 MAY 2008 Status : Online | You don't have to tell me. I'm as harsh as can be with modern adventures because I don't feel they come close to the old days. Occasionally there's a game that draws me in (oddly enough Culpa Innata also did that for me) but on the whole it's very dissapointing. The best adventures of the past few years have come from Telltale with their Sam and Max series. At first Season 1 was a bit of a letdown, but after Episode 4 and Season 2 I'd say they've surpassed Lucasart's original game. There's just more to love and enjoy, probably partially due to the longer length of playtime due to so many episodes. In the future I'm mostly looking forward to Telltale's offerings and Gray Matter, as well as the conclusion to Vampyre Story. Can't say I'm really anxious to see anything else. I mean like everyone else I'm going to play Still Life 2, Whispered World and whatnot but I don't really expect any of them to wow me anymore. Whenever I get tired of gaming in general it's the classics by Sierra that bring me back. Playing 1 or 2 of my all time favs puts me right back in the mood to play the genre. There's actually a few sierra games I've missed over the years and I may resort to playing those instead of the latest mediocre Euro imported adventure. |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 3:14pm | |
AyaGrand InquisitorPosts : 7277 Joined: 16 OCT 2002 Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Rael (7 JAN 2009 2:44pm) several ppl say that, but the oldies that i've (re)played the past couple of years have, in their majority, left the best impressions... apart from larry 1, that i'm playing now, i've played day of the tentacle, blade runner, titanic, amber, starship titanic, space quest 6, mission critical (and a couple more) and they all rate from very good and up... and if we go a couple more years back, when i played callahan's, journeyman, space bar etc one can see that the ratio here heavily leans towards good/great... sure there were bad games, but they were not the rule, like it is nowadays As for now... Jonathan is probably going to kill me but I *still* haven't played Lost Crown. You've convinced me though so I'll be playing that next. I agree about Vampyre Story. It basically gets most things right... but feels SO damn tired. I was already bored by the time I explored the castle. I probably wasn't in the right mood so I'll give it another chance... The jokes are definitely bad though. it is the utmost sacrilege that you, of all ppl, haven't played tlc yet... drop whatever you're doing and start it NOW! also, agree about the jokes in vampyre story... and i found froderic kinda annoying, rather than funny Have you tried The Scorpio Ritual? So far, so good. It plays surprisingly good and something (I don't know what the hell, likely the atmosphere) just got me hooked. It gets right what other similar and lackluster adventures such as Nibiru got wrong. i haven't tried it because it's from city interactive, who made art of murder - one of the worst ones of 2008... should i trust you? i mean nibiru was bad too, but then future games made black mirror, which, for me, was one of the best of recent times You have gotten the attention of the mysterious lady. She turns to face you. Her face is devoid of any flesh. You are frozen with horror as she begins ripping your body into a bloody mess. |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 4:03pm | |
Agustín CordesGuild MasterPosts : 5696 Joined: 23 OCT 2002 Location: AR, Buenos Aires Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Aya_Brea (7 JAN 2009 3:14pm) Aaah, Mission Critical was an absolute joy. Though the second half is slightly uneven, and you could argue that the first one didn't do anything at all for the story, it's still a landmark achievement in the Sci-Fi genre. A definite must play. On the other hand, SQ6 was always "meh" to me, perhaps because it strived so much from the original games. Not a bad game though. Some games do disappoint though. King's Quest V, for instance, was universally acclaimed when it was released back then, but you could say it's pretty lame. Dark Seed, sans the atmosphere, is a letdown as well. I do understand what you mean however, which is that more great adventures where released years ago. Keep in mind that *lots* more adventures where being released. My point about old games having charm and naivety is that you couldn't possibly release, say, a Space Quest IV today. It was the product of an era, period. Even if you released SQ4 today with high production values, it would be ravaged both by critics AND gamers for being too childish. It's all gone and I'll be the first one to say that I'm sorry about that Perhaps the problem is that adventure developers insist in trying to retain that charm (I consider myself guilty as well). Maybe adventures should start taking themselves more seriously... and I'm not saying that you can't do humour, just a different kind of humour, more mature (ie.: The Party vs The Three Stooges). In my analogy, Vampyre Story would be The Three Stooges. We're in desperate need of The Party counterpart now. Am I rambling? [smiley=raise_eyebrow.gif] it is the utmost sacrilege that you, of all ppl, haven't played tlc yet... drop whatever you're doing and start it NOW! also, agree about the jokes in vampyre story... and i found froderic kinda annoying, rather than funny I will, I will. And I'll also try Culpa Innata as well. I trust your judgement. i haven't tried it because it's from city interactive, who made art of murder - one of the worst ones of 2008... should i trust you? i mean nibiru was bad too, but then future games made black mirror, which, for me, was one of the best of recent times I haven't played Art Of Murder but heard the bad criticism. I'm really OK with Scorpio, it's very appealing. Just don't expect the second coming. BTW I wasn't very crazy about Black Mirror... it was too meandering at times and the puzzle design was pretty annoying. Plus, you could already tell the ending at about half the game. You should really try DS adventures. I'm totally in love with the Phoenix Wright series - best adventure experiences I had in quite a while. I'm tempted to say the third game is an all-time classic, particularly the very last chapter. Also, Hotel Dusk is amazingly good as well! Slightly Deranged - Cult Cinema And Games! |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 5:36pm | |
| Deleted User | Based on Aya's original post, I personally don't think The Scorpio Ritual would be his cup of tea. Especially if you agree with my thoughts on it from the Mem's revue area. Sorry for the interruption. LSL ..... Lizards? That's awesome! |
| 7 JAN 2009 at 5:43pm | |
avatar_58Private DetectivePosts : 403 Joined: 27 MAY 2008 Status : Online | Originally Posted By Rael (7 JAN 2009 4:03pm) You are most definately NOT rambling. I've felt this way for years. We've been given so many cartoony childish games over the past 10 years that it's starting to become a cliche with this genre. All the best developers choose light humour only - with games like Sam and Max or A Vampyre Story. I think we do need more serious games, or at least games with mature humour. Whatever happened to the Gabriel Knights, the Digs or Longest Journeys? Why does it seem like the only way to get a hit these days is to have a comedic duo or silly narration? I personally love comedic games when done right, but it really is getting out of hand. It's made worse by the fact that the best adventures are comedic ones these days. Most serious adventures fall flat on their faces, with low production values and terrible localizations. Gray Matter is essentially going to be the type of game I want to see more of. Serious and high quality, right down to the soundtrack (if the website/trailer is any indication Mr. Robert Holmes ) |
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 10:56pm | |
Mr Innocent.Journeyman  Posts : 1317 Joined: 15 JAN 2008 Location: GR Status : Offline | You certainly do love your drama, don't you, Aya?Originally Posted By Aya_Brea (7 JAN 2009 12:53am) You are on to something there. I'll even give you a hint: Modern adventures are not to blame for the fact that you are no longer 15.
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| 7 JAN 2009 at 11:26pm | |
Terry PenrodGrand Inquisitor Posts : 6694 Joined: 16 OCT 2004 Location: US, Texas Status : Offline | . Is there really any question about why so many high-quality PC AGs were released one to two decades ago? Back then the genre ruled. It attracted a hefty percentage of the biggest and best studios and publishers who could afford to pay top talent because they could easily get their money back - plus a very handsome profit. For several equally well known reasons, the genre has declined steadily every since and now only a handful of smaller developers and indies make 99% of the new games. The total ROI even for a relatively successful title these days just isn't high enough to attract the best talent in every position and justify a big marketing budget. So retailers only carry a tiny selection of AGs and most people outside this little community only hear about well funded releases like Dreamfall. Of course it also doesn't help that so many reviewers seem to hate traditional PC adventures, often beginning their text with something like, "If you like slow, boring throwbacks to a bygone era, then you'll love X." I mean really, what kind of first impression is that for the masses and how many sales are lost by the sheer negativity of reviews like that - especially in the first few sentences? Cheers, Terry . |
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| 8 JAN 2009 at 2:39am | |
HalcyonSchattenjgerPosts : 1655 Joined: 17 NOV 2006 Status : Offline | What wonderful, honest posts! Tastes vary, of course, but although we evolve past simple and innocent gaming to a point where we expect more for our dollar, game developers don't seem to have the ability to step up. Step to what? To artistry. To film making. Cartoons like Sam and Max and Vampyre don't cut it for me. They are too self-aware. Us "experienced" consumers seek good story, good voices, good looks, objective sincerity, and (if I haven't said it) good story. I don't need sheer entertainment in the guise of an episodic adventure with no emotional value. Well, once in a while I do, but not for $40! Anyway, my opinion is only a grain of sand in a beach of need. We're willing to pay for what they are not producing. My gut tells me that we're waiting for some kind of jump in technology to inspire the developers again. Or, perhaps, after decades of gameplay, I expect too much. Perhaps that is the price of being old and seeing too much. Perhaps there isn't more. However, after last night finishing TLJ, I realize that someone had it right. Other games have sections of hope, but for me fall short. Culpa to me was an exercise in patience, and I ran out. Rant? Yeah, I confess. _________________ |
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| 8 JAN 2009 at 5:15am | |
An_InklingSpace Cadet  Posts : 171 Joined: 20 JUN 2008 Status : Online | Originally Posted By Aya_Brea (7 JAN 2009 12:53am) Yep, modern games, not just AGs, are by and large, a disappointment. Though, I disagree on Culpa Innata, thought it was decent but no more. Of course, much of this is about personal preference. Personally, all through my dissatisfaction with the modern game, I have been replaying and enjoying older games, so I had no doubt that my enjoyment of them was extant. I was however, beginning to doubt that I could come across a new (to me) game that would provide the same level of enjoyment. On playing The Last Express for the first time last year, it quickly becoming one of my favourites, I no longer have those doubts. This is a game that is, free of personal preference, clearly of a higher standard than modern AGs, or most others for that matter. The art direction, voice work, writing, music is all top notch. For me, the Sierra games (PQs, KQs, Larrys) do not stand up as greats, even though I can still derive some simple pleasure from them (I will add that these games, while greatly enjoyed, were not amongst my very favourites even back in the day, though I did encounter them very young). I guess I look for more than simple frivolity and inventive puzzles from an "all time great" game these days. Originally Posted By Terry_Penrod (7 JAN 2009 11:26pm) For this reason, it can be objectively stated that AGs overall are of lower quality today. Add to this the younger, more impressionable age at which Aya, I and I'm sure many others here encountered these eariler games, and you have a potent recipe for dissatisfaction. It's certainly not all nostalgia, but it does play a role. This is not about faulty memory or "rose-coloured" glasses, but being conditioned for a certain experience. Encountering certain games at your most impressionable age could possibly condition you to enjoy them, or their type, above all others, even upon replaying many years later. Despite this equivocation, I am convinced that AGs and games of most genres, have declined in quality. This is mostly due to greater mainstreaming. AGs are a more specific case due to their massive decline in market share. I don't deny that I have higher standards now than when I was younger, and that is only natural, but this does not mean the decline is illusiory. Whether we can all agree on a decline in quality (though, I think it undeniable in the AG genre due to decrease in importance), games have become, overall, less varied, less difficult and more simplistic in their gameplay. Who is this great burdensome slavering dog-thing that mediocres my every thought? ([i]Nick Cave - We Call Upon the Author[/i]) |
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| 8 JAN 2009 at 8:07am | |
Taurnil MithrandirJourneyman Posts : 1093 Joined: 13 AUG 2006 Status : Online | When I read Aya's post stg's been awakened inside me and I looked myself in the mirror. Through my dark corners of my head, questions that needed answers erased from the deep depths of me. Things that I denied to see, things that I turned a blind eye in order not to be engrossed in and answer. Yes I admit I was at the verge of abandoning adventures. Something in them was not right. I had a flashback trying to recall when it was the last time that I was filled with elation, exultation after finishing one of them. Where was a feeling of diachronism. Well it was a long way back. The answer may be Sierra but I'm not satisfied with this answer either. What I want is not to get back in order to play something that will elevate me. I want to search the present, to feel joy and complement with the things (games) that I have now and not then. That's why I feel poor but at the same time unlucky and blank wall. The misadventure is that adventure games don't have nowadays this element that will make us feel.... I don't know, complete at every aspect: emotionally; revealing our endearing qualities cause adventure games can do it! Perhaps I'm wrong, I don't know but I believe that someday the hunting for pleasure will not lead us at the past but will be showing us the present and of course the future. ....set the controls for the heart of the sun.... |
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| 8 JAN 2009 at 1:49pm | |
avatar_58Private DetectivePosts : 403 Joined: 27 MAY 2008 Status : Online | An_Inkling - I agree. Some of the oldies aren't as good as we remember and play on our nostalgia, but on the whole there are far more gems in the past than there are today. Luckily for me I've missed a few along the way. I've never played a Broken Sword title or The Last Express which means I can look forward to having quality classic adventure experiences even in the modern age. Thanks to websites like GOG.com I can easily get them too, I hope it really catches on. |
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| 8 JAN 2009 at 6:59pm | |
| Deleted User | I pretty much agree with most of what has been stated above. However, for me, I just don't see ever getting that same feeling again as the first adventure game that got me hooked ('The Dig' back around 1996). I've played a fair number of adventures since but never got that same high. Though I came close sometimes in the early years, it's been almost non-existent the past few years. It' just natural, our likes/dislikes of just about everything change over time because we can't get those same highs anymore. Maybe it's just me. I'll tell you, now that I've been playing other genre's, I do get those feelings again. How long it will last is another story. Edit: Happy Gaming. |
| 8 JAN 2009 at 7:54pm | |
Jenny100Guild Master Posts : 3510 Joined: 12 OCT 2002 Status : Offline | Originally Posted By Aya_Brea (7 JAN 2009 12:53am) But don't those two examples increase the ratio of good to bad for this year compared to the previous two years? Did 2006 and 2007 have any games that you consider "top 20" material? Check out the list of adventure games by year at PAGODA http://www.pagodagamedatabase.com/years.php How long has it been since we've really had a good "great-game-to-meh-game" ratio? (I'm not sure if the list is complete for the '80's to early '90's -- were there really so few games produced or have they simply been forgotten?) |
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| 8 JAN 2009 at 9:30pm | |
avatar_58Private DetectivePosts : 403 Joined: 27 MAY 2008 Status : Online | Originally Posted By Masher (8 JAN 2009 6:59pm) Hey all I know is when I play the tried and true classics I've missed like say Sanitarium - I instantly recognize what makes it amazing. It draws me in and makes me remember the good old days. So I submit that it's NOT all nostalgia or personal attitude changes over the years. Adventure games just really do suck these days, with good ones being the exception to the rule - not the standard. |
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| 8 JAN 2009 at 11:40pm | |
An_InklingSpace CadetPosts : 171 Joined: 20 JUN 2008 Status : Online | Originally Posted By avatar_58 (8 JAN 2009 1:49pm) I definitely agree that modern games are, overall, of a lower quality. Particulary in the Adventure genre, due to reduced importance. On nostalgia - I did not mean that older games are not as good as we remember, though this of course can be so in some cases. Just putting forward the possibility that the games we play and enjoy at a more impressionable age, effects the type of games we enjoy in the future. If certain game aspects, or quality in certain aspects that a person has deemed essential for a good game, are no longer found in newer games, then they'll see them as crap. Were they born at a different time, they may have been conditioned differently. This is without even mentioning the more obvious point - that the first time we come across something (say, a humerous cartoon-style Adventure), we will have less basis for criticism and be more easily impressed, than on subsequent encounters. Again, I only mention this as a nod to subjectivity. There are clear objective reasons why AGs are of a lower quality today - less made, lower comparative budgets, reduced importance in the industry. Games in general are of a lower quality, or certainly much changed, due to a greater level of mainstreaming and reduced diversity. Some specific comparisons between older and newer games, particularly those that are presented as successors (eg. Bioshock and System Shock 2, Fallout 3 and Fallout 1+2), clearly show a shift in focus in games, and to me, a definite reduction in quality. Who is this great burdensome slavering dog-thing that mediocres my every thought? ([i]Nick Cave - We Call Upon the Author[/i]) |
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| 9 JAN 2009 at 12:19am | |
Terry PenrodGrand InquisitorPosts : 6694 Joined: 16 OCT 2004 Location: US, Texas Status : Offline | . I think that many of today's games are made with higher "quality" production standards than ever before. Heck, not long ago we were lucky to get brief, heavily pixelated 2D cut scenes. Now we take Hollywood-style intros, astonishing real-time atmospheric effects and cinematic in-game animations for granted. Sound quality has risen immensely too. Not just in technical terms, but also in the fact that many more name actors are lending their talents to games these days - as are a number of rather gifted composers. So, what I think we're really talking about here is that special magic - in the writing, in the originality of artistic concept and in the newness of it all (no matter how old you were when first discovering the amazing world of interactive gaming). There are several reasons for this lack of originality. But the main one is simply economics with ever bigger companies gobbling up smaller ones and far more emphasis placed on corporate profits / ROI than there was back when gaming was still ruled by smaller shops headed by creatively talented people. I guess that's what you get when you let the suits take over. They start calling all the shots and even the most wildly creative individuals become little more than employees. Yes, they still do wonderful work. However, it is done within the strict confines of whatever the beancounters believe will sell the most copies at any given time. All else (in most cases) is a secondary consideration. Cheers, Terry |
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| 9 JAN 2009 at 2:29am | |
An_InklingSpace CadetPosts : 171 Joined: 20 JUN 2008 Status : Online | Originally Posted By Terry_Penrod (9 JAN 2009 12:19am) Agree that this is the case across most genres. I do think it's much less so in the AG genre, as it has suffered a huge decrease in importance. When I said modern games are of a lower "quality", it was with reference to my own preferences, and the common technological improvements in the modern game are not high on my list. These higher production values have, in many ways, brought about a reduction in quality, and go hand in hand with mainstreaming. Originally Posted By Terry_Penrod (9 JAN 2009 12:19am) Yes, the march of technology will mean a continual improvement in graphics. This does not always compliment gameplay. But yes, general point taken - games are bigger budget affairs than ever before. Originally Posted By Terry_Penrod (9 JAN 2009 12:19am) Agree in a broad sense. But, the audience aimed for affects the quality of these. Much of the music in games, whilst sometimes produced by quality musicians, is often rather bland. On voice work - yes, we do have more celebrity voices, but this in itself has not brought an improvement in quality. Fallout 3 and Oblivion when compared to Vampire: Bloodlines are an example (the former two with several celebrity voices, the latter with none, being of much higher quality). It was also not uncommon for name actors to voice games in the mid nineties, same goes for composers and the music, much more so prior to that though. Originally Posted By Terry_Penrod (9 JAN 2009 12:19am) Certainly this. But, also the simplicity, lack of intelligence, diversity and stagnation of modern games. Of course, many or even most older games were simple, silly and aimed at a younger audience. But there was a larger number of the other. I'm not overly impressed by the technological improvements, it is gameplay that is most important, and it has suffered a serious decline, along with artistry, originality and writing with the increased corporitisation of the industry. Originally Posted By Terry_Penrod (9 JAN 2009 12:19am) No doubt. Games are only newly mainstream, it makes sense that most games are currently simplified to reach as large an audience as possible. I'm quite sure that there will eventually be more niche, alternative or "artistic" games, just as movies have their summer blockbusters and more serious, experimental, or arthouse fare. The immaturity and lack of critical analysis from the gaming media does not help the situation. Originally Posted By Terry_Penrod (9 JAN 2009 12:19am) Yes. As with any entertainment, true quality is rarely found in the mainstream. Seeing as video games are mostly mainstream or trying to be, true quality is exceedingly rare. Who is this great burdensome slavering dog-thing that mediocres my every thought? ([i]Nick Cave - We Call Upon the Author[/i]) |
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| 9 JAN 2009 at 3:27am | |
HalcyonSchattenjgerPosts : 1655 Joined: 17 NOV 2006 Status : Offline | Like the film industry, who has gone special fx crazy, games today look great but lack story and value in general. Tastes vary, however, given the many fans of games that I consider inferior, like Culpa and Vampyre. Today we buy HD TVs to watch the same inferior shows. This comparison expands to food, clothing, literature, and even friendships. I find myself reading more. Good authors are still abundant in the same medium. I wish developers would start with a good script and build from there. And wish that the hype wouldn't represent the game to us. Today, we're too much about perception, rather than results, I feel. That said, I'll still try just about any game that appeals. I'm a sucker for hype like everyone else. I think we're just optimists. I want to believe the optimum. Am I getting old? _________________ |
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| 9 JAN 2009 at 4:52am | |
Terry PenrodGrand InquisitorPosts : 6694 Joined: 16 OCT 2004 Location: US, Texas Status : Offline | . We're all getting older. And by that I mean the average age of all gamers has risen quite a bit in the past twenty years. But that really doesn't have anything to do with this decline in originality and depth. IMO, it is a function of an increasingly faster pace in life, in the media, in communications, everywhere. People in general simply no longer want to invest so much time and effort in a game. Not the creators, not the investors, not the players either. Our society has grown more and more impatient recently. Instant gratification, 24/7 news updates, quick profits, disposable heroes, disposable values, disposable marriages, lack of employer loyalty, lack of employee loyalty, lack of brand loyalty... While the underlying technology has gotten more complex, the interfaces have gotten simpler and so has the gameplay. So what we have is a far bigger market for interactive entertainment along with an industry that - like most others - is run mostly for profit by detached business managers in addition to a general trend toward simplification, speed and disposibility. Today's games reflect those realities. Cheers, Terry |
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| 9 JAN 2009 at 2:07pm | |
avatar_58Private DetectivePosts : 403 Joined: 27 MAY 2008 Status : Online | Originally Posted By TAS (9 JAN 2009 3:27am) I'm a pessimist myself, I set myself for dissapointment first and if the game is any good I'm pleasantly surprised. It works out nicely since I just assume an adventure game will suck right off the bat, games like A Vampyre Story couldn't dissapoint since I never assumed it *would* live up to the hype. The only game right now that I wish I could stop being optimistic about is Gray Matter. I should know better than to assume quality, even if it IS Jane Jensen. :-/ |
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