It's stagnating. That's for sure. We had a lot of progress for about 20 years or so and now, we've got game mills pushing sequels and nobody able to take risks. I wouldn't say games have gotten worse, you just don't see them getting better anymore.
Poll: Is gaming really going down-hill?
- Thread starter Zachary Unkle
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Saying it's going down hill is a comment that's sharply lost sight of gaming's past.
No, even if the industry isn't catering to your exact tastes at this particular moment in time, it's quite clear to see that it is in fact not going down hill. It's not even stagnating. Hell, with the huge push towards viable indie development that's taking place in the industry we're on the cusp of seeing a new era in gaming about to emerge.
So quit yer bitching and keep your eyes open. Shit's about to get interesting.
No, even if the industry isn't catering to your exact tastes at this particular moment in time, it's quite clear to see that it is in fact not going down hill. It's not even stagnating. Hell, with the huge push towards viable indie development that's taking place in the industry we're on the cusp of seeing a new era in gaming about to emerge.
So quit yer bitching and keep your eyes open. Shit's about to get interesting.
There are a lot of really bad games that went big (Halo) but there will ALWAYS be good games, no matter what. Sifting through the shit is the price all people pay on all forms of media.
No. Anyone saying that games were better in the old days are probably suffering from a bad case of nostalgia. With exceptions of course, Deus Ex has yet to be topped in how innovative it was when it released, and the massive number of ways you can approach a situation.
Games are clearly better than they used to be.
They went from childish games with little to no plot and story, to fleshed out dramas covering everything from wars, murders, to strategic historical simulators.
Not only are games better, but they are now mainstream and popular, without really losing it's edge that most other forms of entertainment suffer from.
I'm sorry (no im not) but if you think a little 8-bit red guy jumping around collecting mushrooms in linear levels is better than something like Uncharted or Portal, or if the really old zelda games can stand up to modern RPGs, you are suffering from a severe nostalgia induced coma.
They went from childish games with little to no plot and story, to fleshed out dramas covering everything from wars, murders, to strategic historical simulators.
Not only are games better, but they are now mainstream and popular, without really losing it's edge that most other forms of entertainment suffer from.
I'm sorry (no im not) but if you think a little 8-bit red guy jumping around collecting mushrooms in linear levels is better than something like Uncharted or Portal, or if the really old zelda games can stand up to modern RPGs, you are suffering from a severe nostalgia induced coma.
In this generation, we've seen classic genres brought back to the main stream through AAA retro titles. We've seen control innovation through motion controllers and touch screens. We've seen the "gamer" demographic expand, thanks to the "casual" market. We've seen games become bigger and more detailed, and we've seen indie development becoming more significant.
The AAA industry has the budget to make these worlds more detailed than ever before, the indie developers don't have to rely on such a budget and have more room to experiment, and both of them are keeping older styles alive and making games for people who were never interested before. Gaming is not going downhill...it's rapidly improving in multiple areas.
Sejs Cube summed up what I'm saying quite well a few posts earlier.
Edit:
These are the games that built and defined genres. These are the games that sold consoles. These are part of the gaming industry's foundation. And each of these are still around today.
This puts the industry in an interesting posistion. Console and game innovation in order to make simpler experiences as a stepping stone into the medium is happening at the same time as console and game innovation to make bigger, better, more complex worlds...all without loosing sight of gaming's foundation. No, that is definitely not downhill.
The AAA industry has the budget to make these worlds more detailed than ever before, the indie developers don't have to rely on such a budget and have more room to experiment, and both of them are keeping older styles alive and making games for people who were never interested before. Gaming is not going downhill...it's rapidly improving in multiple areas.
Sejs Cube summed up what I'm saying quite well a few posts earlier.
Sejs Cube said:
Edit:
Yes, I do remember growing up with classics, such as Mario, Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, Kirby, Sonic, Final Fantasy, Mortal Kombat, ect. They, along with Metroid, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter, Megaman, Vs. Capcom, Castlevania, Resident Evil, Metal Gear, Dragon Quest, and many others are fondly remembered for a reason. Sure, sometimes there would be a game that was a little too different in the series, or certain entries' quality suffered due to the major transition from 2D to 3D, but this was the exception, not the rule. These series are fantastic, and I really don't see how you can quote the classics when you listed sequels and reboots as a flaw. Part of the reason they are so great is because of the sequels. Each entry is an experiment, and, to quote moviebob, works as a "Beta for the next game". Even the lower-quality games can give a good lesson...just take a look at Sonic Colors. The best mechanics from previous 3D Sonics, with the extra characters and failed mechanics missing.Zachary Unkle said:
These are the games that built and defined genres. These are the games that sold consoles. These are part of the gaming industry's foundation. And each of these are still around today.
This puts the industry in an interesting posistion. Console and game innovation in order to make simpler experiences as a stepping stone into the medium is happening at the same time as console and game innovation to make bigger, better, more complex worlds...all without loosing sight of gaming's foundation. No, that is definitely not downhill.
No, of course not. Gaming has just changed, it has not gotten worse. This is not the first time we have had way to much of one genre. I am the only one who remembers the massive amount of platformers during the late 80's/early 90's? Seriously, people, take off the rose colored nostalgia glasses, it is really bugging me.
No it is not, and probably never will we're at a point in gaming where we've never been before. We literally have a generation of the world that owns one or two ways to play a game, and thanks to things like Iphone games and Freeware PC games they can get access to more games than I think we ever have before. Quality control has always been an issue for some AAA developers but that's how it has been since gaming's beginnings and how any industry is, so there really hasn't been much of a change with that regard. So I wouldn't say gaming is on the decline but rather on the incline.
Hello!? Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Gears, Uncharted... etc Anyone?
I dunno know about you but I love these games. And the genres have been redefined.
I still have my SNES and a few games for it, and I don't really touch it anymore.
Trust me on this: It is nostalgia. I've went back to a few of them and all I can think was: WOW!!! this sucks now. It's better to just keep away and not spoil the memories.
I dunno know about you but I love these games. And the genres have been redefined.
I still have my SNES and a few games for it, and I don't really touch it anymore.
Trust me on this: It is nostalgia. I've went back to a few of them and all I can think was: WOW!!! this sucks now. It's better to just keep away and not spoil the memories.
Honestly, I think the internet really killed it.
Why? Well now you don't bounce info off your friends. I mean do you ever hear:
"Dude I'm stuck on this dungeon do you got any tips"
"Oh sure dude, did you get the key?"
"Wha? Where is it?"
Or even bouncing off little hidden finds. Like how they talked to this person and then they got something cool! But because the internet pretty much ruins any puzzle solving or hidden treasure. Because if you want it bad enough, just google all the tricks.
So I see it really relies on games that are good right out of the box. I can pop it in and start gaming. I don't need to get a note pad to try and draw my own maps or calling my friend late at night to tell him I'm at the final boss but I'm stuck at what to do!
Why? Well now you don't bounce info off your friends. I mean do you ever hear:
"Dude I'm stuck on this dungeon do you got any tips"
"Oh sure dude, did you get the key?"
"Wha? Where is it?"
Or even bouncing off little hidden finds. Like how they talked to this person and then they got something cool! But because the internet pretty much ruins any puzzle solving or hidden treasure. Because if you want it bad enough, just google all the tricks.
So I see it really relies on games that are good right out of the box. I can pop it in and start gaming. I don't need to get a note pad to try and draw my own maps or calling my friend late at night to tell him I'm at the final boss but I'm stuck at what to do!
I do not think it is going downhill so much in content. These days you tend to have have such a robust list to choose from. I think it is really dwindling on what is IN the game. IT seems that games are getting easier and easier.
Let's take a look at the Elder Scrolls games. I started with Morrowind and fell in love simply because you could do so many things. They cut down a good hunk of that with Oblivion and Skyrim seems to be cutting down even more. Why are they doing this? It will expand the user base by making the game more accessible, but is that really a price to pay for immersion?
Let's take a look at the Elder Scrolls games. I started with Morrowind and fell in love simply because you could do so many things. They cut down a good hunk of that with Oblivion and Skyrim seems to be cutting down even more. Why are they doing this? It will expand the user base by making the game more accessible, but is that really a price to pay for immersion?
of coarse it is, remeber the good old days where we didnt bother with this "story" crap, where things only vaugley resembled what they were suposed too, you had to use your imagination dammit! where the women knew their place was in the villans lair to wait pateiently while the hero rescued themZachary Unkle said:
no its not, a little perspceitve is required
1. not everyone grew up with the nintendo holy trinity you mentioned, not everyone has nostalgic connection to them...and *gasp* no they are not the greatest games ever, in fact ill be honest and say I have disdain for them (except metroid till the ruined it) which leads me too...
2. Seaquels- are not a bad thing some of the greatest games ever are seaquels, a good sequel can build upon what was good about the orginal...in fact those games you mentioned are ONLY seaquels which just wont go away
3. shooters, its all about trends I do enjoy a good shooter but id go mad if thats all I could play, there is variety RPG's platformers and such obviously if you think its all shooters then your not looking very hard (or at all)
plus trends change, gaming genred develop and gaming is going to go to new and exitcing pplaces for bettter and worse (plus Im sure there was a trend in the past of mainly platformers)
4. Zombies are fucking awsome...
I mean seriously screw the nintendo holy trinity if thats what you focus on you are missing out on pretty much the enitre gaming scene
soo youd prefer a game where you can do...what extactally? shooting and stabbing is the foundation of what games are made onIsland said:
oh sure it dosnt have to be be as portal showed us all but having a non combat game that is eaqually engaging and fun is more diffucult
And even when applied to combat-oriented games, there's pleanty of potential variety out there. Platformers tend to have you crushing your enemies, or occasionally rolling into them...and sometimes even eat them. Lots of games give you magical combat. Castlevania lets you whip things to death. In some survival horror, "combat" just means the enemy hit you before you could run away.Island said:
Even in combat games, there's room for more than the incredibly common gun and blade.
By the way, your magic comet game sounds intriguing. Hope someone makes something like that someday.
It's not always nolstalgia, Vault. A few years ago, I went back and watched Thundercats...it was pretty hard to sit through them, but I still had good memories from watching them when I was a kid. That's nolstalgia.Vault101 said:
When I go back and replay Super Mario World or Link to the Past, I enjoy the experience as much as before. When I play Mario Galaxy 2 or Twilight Princess, I enjoy those games because I like them, not because I grew up with Mario and Zelda games. Different people simply have different tastes.
And, yes, zombies are awesome