Plot and graphics not paramount in videogame success

[Hugo Artenis Rune]

New Scientist are confirming what we all know - plot and graphics don't make a good game.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327255.500-plot-and-graphics-not-paramount-in-videogame-success.html

However in the article they state that price is more likely to make a game sucessfull. I'm not sure that this is quite correct - if a game is good then surely if it's a bit more expensive we'd still buy it.

So, would price affect your decision to buy a game or not?

(OK, maybe price is important - who's ever bought a Neo-Geo game?

 

[The Kangaroo]

I would say no, it's all about the gameplay

 

[TheDuckbunny]

That's a bullshit article. What makes a good game is different for everyone. I for one can't stand games which look ugly graphically. Also, if a plot is interesting enough I can look past other flaws a game might have.

OT: Yes. I think twice before buying a brand new game, since changes are the price will cut down in half a year's time.

 

[henrebotha]

For me, plot > gameplay > graphics.

And I do agree on the price front. I would never have bought the expansions for Civilization IV at ZAR500 apiece, but when I saw CivIV Complete going for ZAR80, I grabbed it immediately.

EDIT: hahahaha http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.141634#3174867

 

[Braxton]

Plot is huge to me. Good controls are a plus, but graphics I can do without. Anybody who still plays FF7 can attest to this.

It all depends on the genre really, I guess. An RPG with no storyline is garbage, whereas a shooter with horrible controls is as well.

 

[TheZapper]

Unsurprising really, I guess I'd put up with a shit plot if it was a good game but not vice-versa.

 

[vamp rocks]

no, to me its about gameplay... graphics i dont care too much about (perfect dark is still one of my favourite games) but plot and gameplay are a big part for me...

 

[More Fun To Compute]

If you ask people in general then it is true that very few will care about graphics and story. It's only some enthusiast gamers who care mostly about that as they are more likely take the main elements of games for granted and focus mainly on this secondary stuff.

 

[quack35]

Wow, really?

It's almost like it's was completely obvious and everyone knows that.

 

[ColonelDiscussion]

All it's got to have is an amazing storyline, and I'm bought.

 

[Hugo Artenis Rune]

So the general feeling is "Yeah, we knew that".. Interesting that some of you say plot is important. I guess it is, though my personal fave game ever (and I'm not ashamed to say it) is Bubble Bobble which had all the plot of a stunned cabbage. The graphics also look like something my 4 year old son would knock up in MS Paint in 10 minutes..

That said, I must have spent about £300 playing Bubble Bobble in the arcades.. Hmmmmm.

Right - it's a sunny day for a change and somewhere out there a beer is waiting for me.

 

[October Country]

Yes, the gameplay is the most important aspect of a game, but a great plot can really deliver some substance to a game, and for me personally is a big factor when choosing games. Take Silent Hill as an example where the story has higher priority than the gameplay.

 

[squid5580]

Hmm Shellshock 2 came out at a budget price so according to this "research" it must be good? I think not.

 

[Casual Shinji]

There's a big difference between a good game and a succesful game.

 

[veloper]

They never even considered gameplay in their "research", just plot, gfx and price. Worthless.

 

[Kenjitsuka]

I am convinced a big marketing budget (tv commercials) and an unhealthy hype make a game a commercial success.

Making a GOOD game on the other hand does indeed suggest it has a good plot and non ugly graphics...

 

[SomeBritishDude]

I'm not sure why anyone would put plot above gameplay. They've pretty much got a selection of about 5 games if thats the case. If you want a good story go watch a movie or read a book, you'll be a lot more successful.

Gameplay comes first. Plot enhances it. Graphics draw you in. But if the gameplays not there, it doesn't mean shit.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

I decided to track down the source of this story.

http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~rxb/Online%20papers/what%20makes%20a%20good%20game.pdf

It looks like their study is an analysis of Gamespot reviews for PS2 games. Doesn't seem like it is reliable enough to say things like "successful games must have social interaction" but trite statements like lower quality games can sell at a lower price don't seem to need this proof.

They are also using VGChartz for sales figures which seems to be a bit dodgy.