User-Created Content - Do you care?

[DM.]

Yes, I care about Development kits, but it wouldn't be a factor in me buying a game.

 

[Talendra]

I like the idea of some of those games Nintendo presented at e3 for DSI and its user created content, and I would quite happily buy some of them I think. I still think I am going for the cheaper, longer battery GBA compatible DS lite though.
Really it is more of an added bonus, if im not going to buy the game without the user created content, it is not going to convince me otherwise, it just gives a little extra to do.

 

[Jandau]

While the concept of user-created content is interesting and loaded with potential, as far as I'm concerned it doesn't factor in my decision on the game's quality.

The main problem with user-created content is (and let's be honest) that a vast majority of it flat out SUCKS. It's bad. It's unneccesary. It just takes up space. Experiencing user content is like shoveling crap. And while it is possible to occasionally stumbe across a gen, even then it's usually a diamond in the rough.

This stems from the fact that people making the content are doing it as a hobby and usually don't have the man hours, talent or skill to get quality results. Sometimes we can see glimmers of good ideas but they most often get drowned in poop. And even when it's good, it's usually very short and unfulfilling, again because of the lack of time, manpower and resources.

Now, if an individual has the time and inclination to sift through the muck hoping to have some fun along the way, go for it, but as far as I'm concerned user content is a mild curiosity, not anything of much value.

There are, of course, exceptions. I rarely play Baldur's Gate 2 without a basic mod package. However, these are generally balancing or convenience mods, and even here most of the actual content is poor quality.

So, yes to user-created mods, but NO to user-created CONTENT!

 

[Vek]

counter strike was originally user-created content.

gary's mod is user created content.

countless awesome FPS maps are user created content.

etc

And don't forget, it was a BF1942 mod, Desert Combat, that inspired Dice to make BF2 and hire the DC modders to code and design BF2.

And Tripwire Interactive, with their Red Orchestra mod for Unreal Tournament 2K3/2K4 which is now a standalone game, with an Unreal Engine 3 sequel announced.

And Demigod, a full game inspired by the Warcraft 3 and Frozen Throne mod, Defense of the Ancients.

Without mods, there'd be a lot less life in PC gaming, and less inspiration for game designers in general.

 

[Grampy_bone]

To me, user-generated content is like buying a book with all the pages blank, that also comes with a pen. "It's user-generated story! You can create your own content!" Err, gee, thanks.

 

[Zersy]

Watching the E3 keynotes, especially the Nintendo one, there seems to be even more emphasis on user-created content, and frankly I really don't care. I understand that being able to create your own levels is kinda cool, but there's no way I could make something actually worthy of playing for anything other than the satisfaction of "i made that". Warioware DIY is just way too far; designing GAMES from the ground up?! That can't possibly go well! Is that what all this is for, seriously? Professional level designers have a job for a reason, and i'd much rather play something designed by a pro.

Your ideas?

It all depends how easy it is. take LBP it's easy to make a level but it's hard to make a level that people would want to play again.

while the new Kart Rcaer from sony looked really good in the user created content.

 

[Nmil-ek]

I dont care so much for console development stuff, its nice dont get me wrong but i prefer it when pc games give us the dev kits some of the stuff modding communities have developed is jsut unreal, sometimes far above the developers own (check oblivion morrowind conversion for one example)

 

[BolognaBaloney]

It's a fun bonus, but it's not always needed

 

[Biek]

Some people enjoy creating game content for other people to play with. And some people really do make good custom content. But its up to you to find the gems in an ocean of shit.

 

[Hamster at Dawn]

If user content is a bonus then it's a great extra feature. Games that are based entirely on the concept of user content suck though.

Little Big Planet disagrees.

Story Mode is just a tutorial / parts collection exercise. The main game is player-made... and yes, some is really bad. However, isn't that true of just about everything these days? For every retarded level where it's just some giant cock-monster and nothing else there are absolutely stunning levels so innovative even Media Molecule have no idea how they work!

I think your ratio is a bit off but you make a fair point. I have respect for anyone who has the patience to make that sort of stuff but it's not for me. Still, I suppose the game stays interesting as more and more content is constantly being created.

 

[Jamous]

Only if it's any good.

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

While I dislike games that are all about user made content, proper tools being released often brings incredible results. So yes, I care, but I don't want the original content lacking because of user content.

I definately agree with this and sometimes user created stuff can be quite good. I just hope the devs dont use it as an excuse to become more lazy

 

[Carnagath]

User created content is, for me, like diving in a pool of shit looking for a diamond that probably is not even there. I don't have the time, the energy or the stomach to search for it. I want the games that I buy to be complete on their own. However, I can't deny the fact that support and tools for it is a good thing. I did find some excellent user made stories back when I was downloading mods for NWN1, some of which I enjoyed even more than the actual game.

 

[HyenaThePirate]

If user content is a bonus then it's a great extra feature. Games that are based entirely on the concept of user content suck though.

Little Big Planet disagrees.

Story Mode is just a tutorial / parts collection exercise. The main game is player-made... and yes, some is really bad. However, isn't that true of just about everything these days? For every retarded level where it's just some giant cock-monster and nothing else there are absolutely stunning levels so innovative even Media Molecule have no idea how they work!

Little Big Planet agrees actually..

Lets be honest, the majority of GOOD content on LBP were the developer made levels. Oh sure, i came across a few cool and fun levels made by some really creative people... but the problem is I had to wade through piles and piles and piles and piles and piles of absolute garbage just to find that one diamond level in the rough. Whats worse is that there is no real quality control and it got to be much too painful entering level after level only to find that it was broken or not meant for more than one player or was made with the sole intent of getting a trophy/achievement.

LBP did a few things right but it had a whole lotta fail in it too... deleting anything resembling copyrighted content in such draconian fashion that it was immediately off-putting.

Like someone else said... User Created content as an ADD-ON is a great idea, like multiplayer on a shooter... but for the most part, stand alone user created content games with little developer made levels is almost like a cop-out... it's like me having a restaurant that makes people cook their own meals and yet I get the credit for having good food.

 

[Phase_9]

Frankly, no. I agree with Yahtzee, I would like a carefully crafted experience done by professionals, not by amateurs. I don't care if it is included in the game, but if it is a central mechanic or one of the key bullets on the back of the box, then I won't buy it.

Yeah but Yahtzee isn't a professional either. He made a few games. Not the greatest. Fun nonetheless. Games like NWN and The Elder Scrolls, Fallout 3 and the upcoming Dragon Age have toolsets and it is epic seeing some of the stuff modders can do with them. These are the people that will be making games in the future. I don't think it's a good idea to make user created content the sole provider for entertainment though....unless it's RPG Maker XX or whatever. Those are pretty fun. Overall though I guess I don't really know wtf I'm talking about lol.

I'm not talking about making a game. I like indie games, some are quite good. But with an indie game you know that it won't be AAA, but when a AAA title is basically a blank canvas for people to make giant phallic symbols on (I'm looking at you, Little Big Planet), it makes me leery of the quality of the game and therefore I don't buy it. The whole point of what I said is that I want professional titles to be made by professionals, not that I hate indie games or user-created content.

 

[Wargamer]

If user content is a bonus then it's a great extra feature. Games that are based entirely on the concept of user content suck though.

Little Big Planet disagrees.

Story Mode is just a tutorial / parts collection exercise. The main game is player-made... and yes, some is really bad. However, isn't that true of just about everything these days? For every retarded level where it's just some giant cock-monster and nothing else there are absolutely stunning levels so innovative even Media Molecule have no idea how they work!

I think your ratio is a bit off but you make a fair point. I have respect for anyone who has the patience to make that sort of stuff but it's not for me. Still, I suppose the game stays interesting as more and more content is constantly being created.

My ratio is only off because it takes a lot longer to produce a great level than it does to fuck one up. I invested twelve hours total in one level, and it was still boring as fuck... so I threw it away and started over. Twelve hours to get nowhere...

 

[adman]

It's hard to find decent user created content. So I hate it. Let the players play and the creators create?

 

[quack35]

Of course I love User Created Content, I still download like 2 Oblivion mods a day.

 

[Delicious]

The TES and fallout3 modding communities are amazing. They've made mods that have surpassed the original game in every way. We are talking better storylines, combat systems, graphics, animations, equipment, everything.

User created content is the way to go.