BioWare Co-Founder Accuses JRPGs of Stagnation
- Thread starter Logan Westbrook
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Another question, does linearity take away from a gaming experience? Depends on the theory, I guess.
He is right, but if JRPG's are not broken, why fix them? If people like them the way they are, then there's nothing wrong with them.
I would say that BioWare games are TOO nonlinear. They are trying too hard to make them nonlinear, but they still make them great.
I would say that BioWare games are TOO nonlinear. They are trying too hard to make them nonlinear, but they still make them great.
Wait a minute Bioware. You're calling Japanese developers out when your last two games had the exact same story (Sheperd/Hero must join an elite group of Specters/Grey Wardens to rid the world of the returning Reapers/Darkspawn in order to save humanity) and the exact same cliche characters?
I hate most JRPGs except Dragon Quest VIII and love their games but what they're saying is just stupid.
I hate most JRPGs except Dragon Quest VIII and love their games but what they're saying is just stupid.
I dunno, Bioware's been providing AI scripts for NPCs since Baldurs Gate I, I wouldn't really call it a rip-off, although they certainly seen to have been inspired by it.Ragnell said:
On the other hand, how hard would it really be to come up with the idea of an "if/then" system for NPC AI?
But yeah, Bioware games certainly have a familiar feel to them, although I definitely would say not to the same extent as the JRPGs who seem to follow the exact same format, each and everyone of them.
I'll just hope this is a sign that Bioware are going to try and diversify their games even more
The phrase "no shit, Sherlock" springs to mind. I don't think Japanese developers give a damn what Westerners think, though.
No evolution? but what about; lost odyssey with its skill learning system for the immortals and the last remnant which had completely redesigned combat system.
Other than a few people making the obligatory "Japan is pedo/backwards/whatever" comments (you know who you are), this thread on the Escapist about Bioware criticizing JRPG's turned out surprisingly non-rage inducing. Of course, considering our general tendencies, that translates to "just the urge to flip-off kittens."
On topic, I like a good JRPG (*prepares for inevitable oxymoron jokes*), but I'm all for new ideas in them (i.e new combat systems, leveling, etc.).
On topic, I like a good JRPG (*prepares for inevitable oxymoron jokes*), but I'm all for new ideas in them (i.e new combat systems, leveling, etc.).
Yes, let's all jump behind the big Mr. Bioware founder guy who made his name by copying D&D's system dice roll per dice roll. Surely he knows the way and isn't stupendously overopinionated. Surely his enormously overblown ego as a founder of a major gaming company isn't biasing anything he says and this must be the truth!
That said, I actually agree with him; JRPGs are very, very stagnant and boring these days, but I think he picked a few odd elements to nitpick at. So it's not the battle system left over from the 8-bit era that's been unapologetically re-used among dozens of games, or the decline in the number of different interactions they provide? It's the "yes/no" thing? It's not that the gameplay itself isn't mentally engaging or even just plain bad writing that's to blame, it's that their stories are too linear?
Huh.
With the success of games like Uncharted 2 and God of War, I'd figured we'd dispelled the notion that linearity in games is that big of a problem as long as the characters and gameplay are interesting.
This guy's full of crap. He's not trying to provide an analytical insight, he's tooting his own horn. In the face of his company's success he's saying "they fail because they aren't more like my glorious self." He can't wrap his head around what people enjoy about this one type of game that's also called an RPG, so he's deriding it with an oversimplified argument. He's right, but for all the wrong reasons, and that's just as dangerous as being wrong.
That said, I actually agree with him; JRPGs are very, very stagnant and boring these days, but I think he picked a few odd elements to nitpick at. So it's not the battle system left over from the 8-bit era that's been unapologetically re-used among dozens of games, or the decline in the number of different interactions they provide? It's the "yes/no" thing? It's not that the gameplay itself isn't mentally engaging or even just plain bad writing that's to blame, it's that their stories are too linear?
Huh.
With the success of games like Uncharted 2 and God of War, I'd figured we'd dispelled the notion that linearity in games is that big of a problem as long as the characters and gameplay are interesting.
This guy's full of crap. He's not trying to provide an analytical insight, he's tooting his own horn. In the face of his company's success he's saying "they fail because they aren't more like my glorious self." He can't wrap his head around what people enjoy about this one type of game that's also called an RPG, so he's deriding it with an oversimplified argument. He's right, but for all the wrong reasons, and that's just as dangerous as being wrong.
and he wouldn't be wrong either. Stagnation is primarily what's wrong with JRPG's, no enhanced story interactivity and the same basic play structure since the SNES days is something that plagues pretty much all of them. Only the SMT games have really been able to break the mold.
That's generic plot format rather then lack of innovation in gameplay/style, while it IS a very standard storyline ("Only YOU can save teh universe!!1") they make up for it in things such as the depth of character interaction and the like.Flamezdudes said:
BioWare can suck it. I like me JRPGsus the way they is. [/bad grammar]
No, really. I have a stack of JRPGs, but not a single BioWare game. Why? Because I like JRPGs more (and haven't been able to get my hands on any BioWare games), and they change enough to make me never really play the same game twice. Or is this guy talking about the 'You must save the world, and only you can do it' dynamic? Because, in that case, he's a moron.
No, really. I have a stack of JRPGs, but not a single BioWare game. Why? Because I like JRPGs more (and haven't been able to get my hands on any BioWare games), and they change enough to make me never really play the same game twice. Or is this guy talking about the 'You must save the world, and only you can do it' dynamic? Because, in that case, he's a moron.
I prefer the "Western" open-ended RPGs because it's me who controls the character, not the game itself like in most JRPGs (that I've played, at least). Sure, the story is usually a bit bland (you must, or must help, save the world, and apparently you're the only jackass that can do it), but I get to see my character evolve and develop along the guidelines I built for him/her (usually the latter, but that's another discussion).
Mass Effect, for instance. We've all seen that story a million times: a single space marine is sent to eradicate an unknown enemy from the fringes of space. But I get to see my character grow into the cynical, hook-throwing wench I've always wanted her to be. Most JRPGs just don't let you do that, as far as the story is concerned at least.
I'm starting to think that very little of that actually made sense, so I'm gonna shut up now.
Mass Effect, for instance. We've all seen that story a million times: a single space marine is sent to eradicate an unknown enemy from the fringes of space. But I get to see my character grow into the cynical, hook-throwing wench I've always wanted her to be. Most JRPGs just don't let you do that, as far as the story is concerned at least.
I'm starting to think that very little of that actually made sense, so I'm gonna shut up now.