Poll: Who do you blame?

[VaioStreams]

I can't pick one. I have to say all 3. Anyone who has seen my rants on these boards knows how i feel about this. The developers got Lazy because the Media put gaming in the mainstream and with out the base of "give us good games" over shadowed by "ouuu shiney" of the masses the industry has gone down the toilet. The same thing happened in the lat 70's early 80's. that's when the infamous ET game was spawned almost single handily killed the entire industry. I don't think the same thing will happen this time around because thanks to the media showing the masses and what they like. the developers have figured out a formula "lather, Rinse, Repeat" works and untill the industry falls flat on it's ass. the masses move away from gaming and the base that's been there before this happened. nothing will change. the industry craps out money now and the developers love it at the cost of their fans

 

[P1p3s]

when you say developers I think of the actual pasty faced plebs who spend hours upon hours coding the gameage. I don't blame them, even they are also responsible for some of the creative development.

corporate game developing organisations on the other hand have to look more at their bottom line than the sanity of their lackies or the consumer. That being said there is usually massive media hype around games from major players that break some kind of boundry, original Halo, Mirrors Edge, prince of persia that kind of thing.

The other side of the coin of course is that if we didn't all rush out to the shops to buy Gears of War 400 they wouldnt bother making it, the minute the game isn't commercially viable its dropped, like singers, movie directors and any other 'commodity'

I think there must be a combination factor, and while the original problem might be a bit chicken and egg (did the game companies produce shit cookie cutter games because thats what people were buying or did we buy it coz thats all they were making) the resolution is much clearer.

DO NOT BUY shite, they will be forced to make something better, BUT be prepared for it to cost more because the R&D on something that has been done 100+times before is minimul compared to generating something truly original both in plot, design, format and game play.

 

[Altorin]

when you say developers I think of the actual pasty faced plebs who spend hours upon hours coding the gameage. I don't blame them, even they are also responsible for some of the creative development.

corporate game developing organisations on the other hand have to look more at their bottom line than the sanity of their lackies or the consumer. That being said there is usually massive media hype around games from major players that break some kind of boundry, original Halo, Mirrors Edge, prince of persia that kind of thing.

The other side of the coin of course is that if we didn't all rush out to the shops to buy Gears of War 400 they wouldnt bother making it, the minute the game isn't commercially viable its dropped, like singers, movie directors and any other 'commodity'

I think there must be a combination factor, and while the original problem might be a bit chicken and egg (did the game companies produce shit cookie cutter games because thats what people were buying or did we buy it coz thats all they were making) the resolution is much clearer.

DO NOT BUY shite, they will be forced to make something better, BUT be prepared for it to cost more because the R&D on something that has been done 100+times before is minimul compared to generating something truly original both in plot, design, format and game play.

you can't change the way people buy things. You can yell til you're hoarse, but people will still buy shitty games, and on the whole, they'll probably enjoy them.. It is a shame that good games fall through the cracks, but they have cult classic status to look forward to, which is much more then can be said about the "uncreative" games that you people are always complaining about.

I hated Too Human, but at least it tried to do something different.

Failed Meteorically, but tried.

 

[li-ion]

Consumers. We get the games we deserve. If more consumers would buy games like Psychonauts or Grim Fandango, there would be more developers making them and even evil EA would distribute them.

 

[Falconus]

Maybe I'm getting old, but from what I recall unoriginality has been around since the beginning of video games. there have always been the creative titles that bring new things to the playing board and the host of copycats that follow them. But that's not really a bad thing, all that means is that the games industry is taking new ideas and incorporating them into the mainstream.

Games don't always have to be original. Think what games would be like if every game was completely unique, how many awesome games we wouldn't have. there are hundreds of games and hundreds of sequels whose crowning achievement was improving on the former.

It seems to me that what your really complaining about is terrible games, and to that I say cope and deal. It's the nature of these things that there's always more crap then gold, just take a look at TV, movies, literature, music. so stop whining, you morons.

 

[beddo]

I'm curious as to the input of others on this matter. Creativity in games has largely flew out the window. Who do you blame for this, the game developers or the players? Please show your work.


I think the consumers are the ones to blame, why would you risk all that money to try and make something different when they'll buy something you already made if you repaint it.

How do you justify the idea that there is no creativity left? There are dozens of innovative titles that have been recently released, even more titles that have innovative features.

Consider the following: Soul Bubbles, Mirrors Edge, Portal, Professor Layton, Little Big Planet. Going back a bit; Condemned, Brain Training, Lego Star Wars, Katamari, Shadow of the Colossus.

Then we have titles that had innovative features; Gears of War, GTA IV, Battlefield Bad Company, Company, GTA ChinaTown Wars, Fallout 3, Mario Galaxy, God of War, Bully, and more.

I don't see a time when the games industry was even as innovative as it is now and certainly not in terms of hardware. Of course there are loads of sequels and derivative titles out but companies need the cash of these brands to fund side projects which can turn create new and exiting games.

 

[onelifecrisis]

I'm curious as to the input of others on this matter. Creativity in games has largely flew out the window. Who do you blame for this, the game developers or the players? Please show your work.


I think the consumers are the ones to blame, why would you risk all that money to try and make something different when they'll buy something you already made if you repaint it.

You're talking about the way that game developers will make, say, another FPS or another RTS instead of inventing a new genre, right? If so then I don't think it's really because of any of the options in your poll. I think it's because there's really only so many kinds of playable game that one can make with a screen and two analogue sticks and a handful of buttons, or a keyboard and mouse, or whatever. Can you think of anything that hasn't already been done? The screen is a window into another world, but there's only so many different kinds of window and they've all been done already (first person, top-down, over-the-shoulder, etc). There's only so many things that a player can take control of and they've also been done (a soldier, a car, a football player, a spaceship, an army, a nation, etc). I think that there is plenty of room for growth within those genres, but if you're asking for a whole new genre... well, can you think of one? I can't. There's probably something that hasn't been done yet, but I can't think what it might be.

If I've misunderstood then please explain what you mean by a lack of creativity.

 

[fenixrising]

It's funny though, as soon as a good original IP comes out, we all scream for a sequel. What are dev's supposed to do?

 

[Altorin]

Maybe I'm getting old, but from what I recall unoriginality has been around since the beginning of video games. there have always been the creative titles that bring new things to the playing board and the host of copycats that follow them. But that's not really a bad thing, all that means is that the games industry is taking new ideas and incorporating them into the mainstream.

Games don't always have to be original. Think what games would be like if every game was completely unique, how many awesome games we wouldn't have. there are hundreds of games and hundreds of sequels whose crowning achievement was improving on the former.

It seems to me that what your really complaining about is terrible games, and to that I say cope and deal. It's the nature of these things that there's always more crap then gold, just take a look at TV, movies, literature, music. so stop whining, you morons.

*wipes a tear*..

Kings among men...

 

[Chickenlittle]

It's funny though, as soon as a good original IP comes out, we all scream for a sequel. What are dev's supposed to do?

Did we all scream for a sequel of Assassin's Creed? Did we scream for a sequel of Dead Space (that isn't Wii-exclusive)?

 

[ace_of_something]

I blame the blamers

 

[ygetoff]

It's everyone's fault but mine...

 

[ygetoff]

Maybe I'm getting old, but from what I recall unoriginality has been around since the beginning of video games. there have always been the creative titles that bring new things to the playing board and the host of copycats that follow them. But that's not really a bad thing, all that means is that the games industry is taking new ideas and incorporating them into the mainstream.

Games don't always have to be original. Think what games would be like if every game was completely unique, how many awesome games we wouldn't have. there are hundreds of games and hundreds of sequels whose crowning achievement was improving on the former.

It seems to me that what your really complaining about is terrible games, and to that I say cope and deal. It's the nature of these things that there's always more crap then gold, just take a look at TV, movies, literature, music. so stop whining, you morons.

This guy just put it better than I ever could've.

 

[P1p3s]

*snip* the resolution is much clearer.

DO NOT BUY shite, they will be forced to make something better, BUT be prepared for it to cost more because the R&D on something that has been done 100+times before is minimul compared to generating something truly original both in plot, design, format and game play.

you can't change the way people buy things. You can yell til you're hoarse, but people will still buy shitty games, and on the whole, they'll probably enjoy them.. It is a shame that good games fall through the cracks, but they have cult classic status to look forward to, which is much more then can be said about the "uncreative" games that you people are always complaining about.

I hated Too Human, but at least it tried to do something different.

Failed Meteorically, but tried.

I have no issue with games being awful because they tried something new, there is at least the saving grace of 'trialling' a new venture or technology, there is nothing but shame for a game who falls on it's ass while re-hashing the 'tried and tested.

Just to clarify my point - I agree with you, you can't STOP people buying crap, alot of people are sheep, buy into the hype and fall for the advertising not forgetting those who *gulp* actually enjoy the crap, I didn't say the solution was EASY I said it was CLEAR, the answer is there (IMO) the application of it is, sadly, impossible.

 

[leeloodallasmultipass]

Its a constant feedback circle between the Consumer and the game developers. Consumer buys, Games is big success, Game developer notices, Models next game similar to current game to maximise profit. Consumer buys similar game becuase Developer is "awesome", thus creating brand name. Untill Consumer moves onto different type of game, the developer will always produce something which will maximise profit for little work.

Its similar to Gossip industry in media. Media places gossip in magasine, people love gossip, Purchase magasine, Media looks for more gossip to fuel demand for more gossip. Eventually assumption is made by both media and consumer that gossip is awesome becuase of the feedback mechanism in place

 

[sooperman]

Consumers and developers.

We buy millions of copies of the same Mario, Pokemon, Madden, etc. every year, so why should the developers change them?

 

[Shycte]

Sorry, let me correct my self,

I blame those who buy sequls(myself included), I blame those who buy movie games, I blame those who buy JUST buy unorginal games, I blame those who judge games by their graphics, I blame fanboys, I blame the parents, I blame those who consider themself a gamer even though they don't know a jack shit and I blame minors who play game that the ERSP or PEGI says they shouldn't play.

Happy now?

Point by point:

- People buy sequels because they sell, and because if an established franchise says "hey, more of what you loved last time, new and improved", I don't know about you but I don't have a lot of money to spend on games. I'd rather buy something that has a high probability of not sucking.

- People who buy shallow licensed crap (everything from movie games to movie-derivative games like Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup) should be lynched, but a quick look at the game rack at my local Best Buy proves that these idiots seem to buy 95% of games.

- Those who JUST buy unoriginal games? Guilty as charged, pal. See my first point above. I don't want it to be original or creative, I want it to entertain me and after 27 years of playing games I am pretty sure I know what I like, and I want developers to make it for me so I can buy it.

- People who judge games by their graphics belong on the short bus to the Special Olympics. What, shitty gameplay mechanics and bad writing's OK because "oooh, HDR lighting!" Those gamers (most of whom seem to be 12-year-old boys) can go die in a fire.

- Fanboys are annoying but we are all fanboys (and fangirls) for the series we like. Deal with it. All those Psychonauts arthouse assholes fellating Tim Schafer are just as bad as the Halo-loving frat boys.

- Parents are to blame in two situations: one, when they can't be assed to understand that M-rated games are not for children, and two, when parents of young girls poison any hope that girl had of becoming an awesome gamer by buying her Pet Vet and Imagine. As my wife put it, "My mom bought me StarCraft when I was 12. If I'd had to play that shit, I'd think games are stupid too."

- If you play games, you're a gamer whether you're l33t or n00b. The kinds of people who think they're the High Arbiters of who gets to be a gamer and who doesn't should be locked in a room together and gassed.

- Minors who play M-rated games aren't the problem. I'm still young enough to remember teenage rebellion, porn, and Mortal Kombat. It was pretty badass when I was 14 or 15. The point is that it's up to parents because those adolescents are still kids. They're most of the way to adulthood but it's up to Mom and Dad to get them the rest of the way there without letting the kids fuck it up too badly. Can you imagine how awesome Grand Theft Auto looks to a 13-year-old boy...and what a bad idea it is for him to play it? There's the dynamic. It's up to Mom and Dad at that point.

Yes of course there is a reason for sequels. Believe or not I'm not THAT stupid. I didn't say that sequels should be banned. But if you read the first post you will see that he wondered who we blame for the lack of creativity in recent games. And because a franchise isn't likely to change what they made money from the franchise will stay the samen and if you will, uncreative. While tyring to NOT sound like a Yahtzee fanboy what he said about sequels in his FEAR 2 reiview was pretty wise.
And finialy no, I do not have a lot of money to spend. If I'm lucky I might have about 250 SEK a month to spend on games. Thats about 30 dollar for you americans. Here in Sweden, the normal price for a hot title in about 500 SEK.

- Not much to say here, couldn't agree more.

- Yes of course you want to play the kind of games you like. If you like FPSs and hate RPGs you want the deveolopers to make FPSs. But again, the question was who was to blame for the lack of creativity. OF COURSE I buy "uncreative" titles so I am also "guilty as charged"

- Best comment ever?

- Whenever there are two different ways of thinking there will be conflict. But when a PS3 fanboy says that we will never buy a Xbox because.... He is contributing to the problem. And yes I know that " we are all fanboys". I myself is a diehard TimeSplitters fanboy.

- My point is that when a mom buys her 12-year old son a violent game and then complains it creates pressure on the governments. See Australia for example. If a game is the violent for minors, they ban it (see Manhunt).

- First, never, ever speak leet again. Even though I know you weren't serious I hate that so-called language so much. Here we have different opinions. I wouldn't dream about calling my mother a gamer even though she play Hexic HD on my Xbox 360. Does that make her a game? No, no it does not.

- Whenever a minor play a M+ rated game it increases the feeling that videogames are for kid only. Now you and I know that that not true but apparently, Michael Atkinson don't

Finely, I was to say sorry if you felt insulted when I talked about Psychonauts and Beyond Good and Evil. Those are just two well-used examples.

 

[Baelor]

Its not just sequels, those are bad but its also the shameless reusing of the same ideas.


Power Armored Super Soldiers

Zombies

Ninjas

Samurai

World War 2

Anime (Magical Toddlers and Catgirls and Crazy Hair! Oh My!)



I mean i'm not expecting something to shake the foundations of the gaming industry, just break away from those.

 

[bad rider]

He never made an error and I'll be dammed if you can prove it.

 

[Shycte]

you need to add [/ quote] to you post.....

Once again I fail. Thank you for checking.