Less Content, More Money... Huh?

[TexasWatermelon]

Thanks to all the people who have replied already. I'm getting some insight into this topic that I definitely didn't have before, especially on the price issue. Being relatively new to gaming (I was only born in 1990, so only playing since probably '96 or thereabouts) I obviously don't remember how much games cost when they first came out. So I'll definitely have to do some more research on that.

I also didn't take into consideration that most of you were considering graphics to be a main point when considering a game. I guess I just figure that graphics are going to increase as technology does, whereas gameplay and stories have a lot more to do with developer creativity. So that was mostly what I was thinking about when I came up with this idea.

As for the "less original, less challenging, and less enjoyable overall" statements, I'll agree with the first two. Being less enjoyable is merely an opinion

I definitely agree with you about that, and that was an oversight on my part. I'll be sure not to include that little "enjoyable" part in my article. Thanks.

I just want to remind you guys that I'm not by any means saying that there are no longer ANY good games being produced. Of course I know that there are. I have my own personal stack of games sitting right here that I still pull out and revisit while I'm waiting for my next awaited release. So don't get me wrong on that one. I'm merely saying that when I go to a game store, say GameStop for instance, and I stand in front of that Xbox 360 wall, most of the games seem to blur together for me because they all look like something I've seen or played before. Now some of you disagree obviously, but that's just my impression when shopping for games.

As for online play, I really wasn't taking that into consideration since it has nothing to do with the content of the game, story wise at least, and is mostly what you make it. If you love playing online, then sure I could see why a game would last a long time for you. I personally don't, and I don't think most of the games I have can even be played online, so when I finish a game, I'm looking for more story WITHIN the game to keep me occupied. And so that the scope of this article doesn't become too broad, I'd say that I'm not really going to consider online interactive play too much more than this paragraph right here. Thank you, though for bringing it up.

Anyway, to reiterate, I'm not looking at all of the things that I can do with a game outside of my console like play frisbee with it or watch some movie that someone decided to make because of it or whatever. I'm simply talking about the base gameplay. Story, hours, and so on. And as for DLC, why in the hell should I have to pay extra for something (on Xbox Live, at least) that should have been included in the game in the first place? I like DLC, it renews my interest in a game, but come on. I could still be PLAYING the game if you'd just put it in there to begin with.

So, those are just a few clarifications and responses for you guys to pick apart some more. Thank you again for giving me your opinions. I really do appreciate it and I think it's going to help make this article the best it can be.

 

[Altorin]

yes, story and gameplay take center stage over Graphics.. but Graphics are part of it too. Games are really a "big picture" sort of thing. You can't have a blockbuster game that doesn't deliver on multiple fronts.. and saying Graphics don't factor into the game makers creativity is just wrong.

Everything that's put into a game had to be made by someone, and that is a very creative process. A games design, and look, are very important parts of making a good game good, and they're very creative parts of the process. Awesome graphics really don't pop out of nowhere. All of that stuff has to be created, and when it's done by someone who's uncreative, it shows.

Story is actually one of those things that is just as dismissable as graphics. Games don't need stories to be really enjoyable, in any era. I mean, some genres need them, like RPGs would suffer if they didn't have a story, but I really think you're putting too much emphasis.

If critiquing a game would be like critiquing an Iron Chef, it would be 20 points for Gameplay, 10 points for Graphics, and 10 points for story when it's applicable. Gameplay wins everytime, and there are very few successful games that are a pain in the ass to play due to gameplay issues.

You can sit back and say "I don't like this game" or "I don't like that game"... but that's the great thing about gaming, there's something for everyone. So you don't need to sit there and complain about games.. Find a game you like, and play it.. and if you can't find a game that you like to play... then you're not a gamer. You're lying to yourself.

Or sit back and complain... it works for yahtzee, but you better be funny, or that shit won't fly.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

They are actually longer than old games.

They just have less replay value than old games.

 

[TexasWatermelon]

I mean, some genres need them, like RPGs would suffer if they didn't have a story, but I really think you're putting too much emphasis.

Or sit back and complain... it works for yahtzee, but you better be funny, or that shit won't fly.

Well I'm an RPG player, so obviously I think that story is pretty important. If you're big on FPS, I can see where you wouldn't mind playing the same WWII story line a hundred times over as long as they give you bigger guns and make your camouflage look more authentic.

I'm not really trying to complain here. Like I said, I have games I like. I just wanted to get some different opinions on this, which I have. And I think a lot of times, Yahtzee is saying the same sort of things in his videos that I'm saying here.

Anyway, as long as this article gets me a decent grade in my class, I don't really care much either way. It's not like this is bound to end up in March's issue of Game Informer or anything. I was just curious to see what people had to say, and maybe if I could use some quotes from some people.

Thanks again, everyone, for all of your help.

 

[LostNightRecon]

Games are saying Forget the story everyone wants to play multiplayer online. Heres the down side game makers

NOT EVERYONE HAS INTERNET THAT CAN PLAY THEM!!!

my friend suffers that. It needs to be stopped they need to remember that they are charging an arm and a leg for crap games for the most part now. There are some that shine but most games now adays have no story its all about multiplayer. That is why they are going down hill. We need to stand up and tell them:

"Hey look multiplayer is good and all, but why not make something interesting do I'll actually buy it instead of rent the thing?"

 

[FallenJellyDoughnut]

I am literally gobsmacked by the shortsightedness displayed in this thread.

This, all games from 20 years ago sucked ass if you compare them to the ones we have now.

Anyway, what pisses me off is the amount of games that are all for the multiplayer and the singleplayer is only an hour or two, everyone assumes that we can all afford internet/Xbox Live, well they can go fuck off to thier rich little mansions and wank off to thier CoD and Battlefield, DAAAAMMNN THHHEEEEEMMM!! /rage.

 

[Acier]

I would suggest that you do something else for your thesis, I don't see this panning out into a fully fledged paper for any college.

You could just do the history of gaming or the change of the social mindset concerning gaming.

That would be much better

EDIT: Oh sorry I assumed it was a thesis or a paper. Article you might be able to give it enough spin to get a good grade.

But I still don't think it's a good topic.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Games don't suck nowadays.

Mass Effect 2 is out next week...

 

[Altorin]

I mean, some genres need them, like RPGs would suffer if they didn't have a story, but I really think you're putting too much emphasis.

Or sit back and complain... it works for yahtzee, but you better be funny, or that shit won't fly.

Well I'm an RPG player, so obviously I think that story is pretty important. If you're big on FPS, I can see where you wouldn't mind playing the same WWII story line a hundred times over as long as they give you bigger guns and make your camouflage look more authentic.

I'm not really trying to complain here. Like I said, I have games I like. I just wanted to get some different opinions on this, which I have. And I think a lot of times, Yahtzee is saying the same sort of things in his videos that I'm saying here.

Anyway, as long as this article gets me a decent grade in my class, I don't really care much either way. It's not like this is bound to end up in March's issue of Game Informer or anything. I was just curious to see what people had to say, and maybe if I could use some quotes from some people.

Thanks again, everyone, for all of your help.

It would do well in Game Informer probably.

However, if it's just for school, good luck, and write whatever you want... Teachers aren't typically gamers, and you have to be pretty serious about gaming (more serious then you even) to get why all of your premises are fundamentally flawed.

But good luck on the assignment. I mean that sincerely

 

[TexasWatermelon]

It would do well in Game Informer probably.

However, if it's just for school, good luck, and write whatever you want... Teachers aren't typically gamers, and you have to be pretty serious about gaming (more serious then you even) to get why all of your premises are fundamentally flawed.

But good luck on the assignment. I mean that sincerely

Lol, thanks. I'm sure I'm not anywhere near as serious as I'd need to be to know every detail that I'm writing about, but it seems like a fun idea and I'm going to go with it anyway. My professor doesn't have a clue what I'm talking about, so as long as I write it well, she'll never know the difference.

 

[AkJay]

It costs more money to make video-games now, so if the developers even want a hope of breaking even, let alone making a profit, they have to dumb down their video-games to help appeal to a wider audience.
Bigger audience = more sales = more money.