BioWare Co-Founder Accuses JRPGs of Stagnation
- Thread starter Logan Westbrook
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OH HO HO! Fighting words!
If we're talking stagnation, allow me to make a stylized version of the BioWare multiple choice menu:
For a hostile encounter we have
1: The reasonable choice (aka The Right Choice)
1,5: The diplomacy/intimidation choice (aka The mysteriously effective "Get a haircut and a real job" Choice)
2: The Dumb choice
3: The Moronic Choice
4: The "I eat babies"-choice
And in a lot of conversations we have the so commonly used phrase "Tell me more about..." which makes various characters go on badly written tirades about the locally produced potato pudding.
While I completely agree that the writing in japanese rpgs is often full of tired stereotypes, overdramatic theatrics and awkward social concepts that should be gone from the world by now, don't act as if you're the beacon of light when it comes to rpg writing.
If we're talking stagnation, allow me to make a stylized version of the BioWare multiple choice menu:
For a hostile encounter we have
1: The reasonable choice (aka The Right Choice)
1,5: The diplomacy/intimidation choice (aka The mysteriously effective "Get a haircut and a real job" Choice)
2: The Dumb choice
3: The Moronic Choice
4: The "I eat babies"-choice
And in a lot of conversations we have the so commonly used phrase "Tell me more about..." which makes various characters go on badly written tirades about the locally produced potato pudding.
While I completely agree that the writing in japanese rpgs is often full of tired stereotypes, overdramatic theatrics and awkward social concepts that should be gone from the world by now, don't act as if you're the beacon of light when it comes to rpg writing.
Ahh, found it.danpascooch said:
Can't comment on the DLC (no Dragon Age for me) but "selling out" to EA wasn't much of a mistake; EA are nowhere near what they used to be like, and they'll be providing higher funding for their titles then what they had before (I'd assume).
I highly doubt EA would disband BioWare considering the quality of the games BioWare make (and subsequently the amount of money they earn).
I believe you can judge a company by the tech support they offer, after all you already bought the product, they have no real reason to help you, if they do, they are a good company.Woodsey said:
EA's help database has hundreds of tech support solutions that have ratings like: "23 out of 1252 found this solution helpful"
And they have NO MOTHERFUCKING 1-800 NUMBER!
There are god damn EBAYERS who have 1-800 numbers, but oh well, I guess EA just can't afford to have a 1-800 number, I mean, being such a teeny tiny company and all.
Most games in general or JRPGs? And whilst there probably is a large child/young adult audience for JRPGs, I suspect the majority of fans are adults...sanzo said:
However, we need proof, so, TO WIKIPEDIA!.....Oh bugger, wikipedia doesn't know....erm... LOOK OVER THERE! *runs off*
The best JRPG's are and have always been, absolutely fantastic games. Better than most of anything being released in the west.
The key problem as I see it, is that they call them "RPG". They aren't role playing games, they're interactive storylines where the interaction element is primarily just the battle systems. They really need their own label, since there is no real role playing (as exampled in games such as the BioWares own titles) that can be considered proper to the genre in the modern times. Games like Oblivion and MassEffect give choices for characters which, while harshly limited, at least emerge into the area of playing ones own character choices.
Final Fantasy? Chrono Crisis? Single story line, selected character actions, the player merely needs to guide them around. Is this always bad? Hell no, look at The World Ends With You! Devil Survivor [actually, special note here, DS is probably the most RPG of all JRPGs] get major props for being smashing games despite this.
The key problem as I see it, is that they call them "RPG". They aren't role playing games, they're interactive storylines where the interaction element is primarily just the battle systems. They really need their own label, since there is no real role playing (as exampled in games such as the BioWares own titles) that can be considered proper to the genre in the modern times. Games like Oblivion and MassEffect give choices for characters which, while harshly limited, at least emerge into the area of playing ones own character choices.
Final Fantasy? Chrono Crisis? Single story line, selected character actions, the player merely needs to guide them around. Is this always bad? Hell no, look at The World Ends With You! Devil Survivor [actually, special note here, DS is probably the most RPG of all JRPGs] get major props for being smashing games despite this.
It's probably true for both, but about the only M, or equivalent, rated JRPGs I can think of are from the SMT series, and only the Persona games have teenagers as the main characters in themDoug said:
It may be true that most fans of JRPGs are adults, but you can say that about pretty much any video game genre, or video games in general.
I am saying that whether or not it is more useful, the level of tech support you receive is an accurate measure of what a company will do for you above and beyond the bare minimum it takes to get your money (by which I mean, once you bought the product, they won't reap profits from giving you good support)Woodsey said:
EA has demonstrated time and time again that once they have your money, they don't give a rat's ass, which means if they get the chance, they will totally screw you over for some quick cash.
In Dragon age the DLC was outrageous (like $15 for 45 min of content) and they had this weird "EA server login" thing that kept causing problems.
I don't see anything good coming out of being owned by EA, it looks very very bleak.
This article is amusing. I was introduced to RPGs with JRPGs; personally, that's my idea of an RPG. Things like Fallout 3 strike me more as an FPS than RPG.
Anyway, back on subject:
I personally like the linearity of JRPGs. They have a set story and strike me as a fun, interactive novel moreso than something that doesn't have a strong storyline.
Anyway, back on subject:
I personally like the linearity of JRPGs. They have a set story and strike me as a fun, interactive novel moreso than something that doesn't have a strong storyline.
JRPG: "Do you want to do this? *no*
Do you want to do this? *no!*
Do you want to do this? *yes
*"
Bioware RPG: "Choose your reaction from this incredibly realistic dialogue-wheel!
a) *Give him ponies*
b) *Go away me busy*
c) *BLARGH ME KILL*"
Even worse, Bioware has multiple times had two options lead to same response in games like Mass Effect.
Do you want to do this? *no!*
Do you want to do this? *yes
*"Bioware RPG: "Choose your reaction from this incredibly realistic dialogue-wheel!
a) *Give him ponies*
b) *Go away me busy*
c) *BLARGH ME KILL*"
Even worse, Bioware has multiple times had two options lead to same response in games like Mass Effect.
A lot of RPG gamers have become accustomed to Bioware's tropes is really all it is... their products are just more fresh at the moment.
I do agree that most every JRPG is quite linear and cliche anymore. Seems like they peaked right around the PlayStation/Saturn/N64 days. That's not to say if what you're looking for is what they deliver, that you can't find enjoyment in them. By all means, if you love every JRPG you come in contact with, don't let this article bother you.
Personally, I like being able to make every decision in a game myself with a character I generate myself rather than being led along a linear path with a prefabricated androgynous teenager with malformed hair and a giant sword.
I really did look at what Bioware does as the natural evolution of video game RPGs. Having very linear paths and preset characters, to me, always seemed like a result of the technology of the day (8-bit & 16-bit eras). Some of those older games are perceived as classics today but you can generally find the same Copy/Paste routine in every one churned out now. If anything, I find the older JRPGs better simply for their charm and nostalgia.
I do agree that most every JRPG is quite linear and cliche anymore. Seems like they peaked right around the PlayStation/Saturn/N64 days. That's not to say if what you're looking for is what they deliver, that you can't find enjoyment in them. By all means, if you love every JRPG you come in contact with, don't let this article bother you.
Personally, I like being able to make every decision in a game myself with a character I generate myself rather than being led along a linear path with a prefabricated androgynous teenager with malformed hair and a giant sword.
I really did look at what Bioware does as the natural evolution of video game RPGs. Having very linear paths and preset characters, to me, always seemed like a result of the technology of the day (8-bit & 16-bit eras). Some of those older games are perceived as classics today but you can generally find the same Copy/Paste routine in every one churned out now. If anything, I find the older JRPGs better simply for their charm and nostalgia.
Valkyria Chronicles is pretty good. I'll admit it was one of my reasons for buying a PS3. The gameplay reminds me of the classic Shining Force games on Sega Genesis, which is a good thing. Action-RPGs are overrated, including the newer Shining Force titles. We need more Tactical RPGs, regardless of where it's made, that don't end up as card games on handhelds.The_Bearded_One said: