User-Created Content - Do you care?

[properturnip]

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?

 

[HardRockSamurai]

I don't mind user-created content as long as it is purely optional. Like in Half-Life 2's case, if the option to make and display user-created content is in addition to a fully fledged, professionally designed game, then users can make all the penis shaped levels they want.

 

[Avatar Roku]

Honestly, I don't get it in the slightest. For that reason, I never understood the appeal behind LittleBig Planet.

 

[Mezrev]

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.

 

[HazukiHawkins]

A lot of games have substandard level/story design anyway, and in the case of an MMO such as City of Heroes for instance, it may be a good idea to give ambitious players the tools to create something better, all in their own time and without any of the pressure that the game's main team has to cope with. True, the Architect system of the aforementioned game has been abused by various boneheads to create drab, dull farming missions, and the rating system is always subject to the questionable morality of the "author" going "plz plz plz rate me 5/5, I really need the badge" and "kind" players indulging such requests...

On the other hand, however, story and gameplay enthusiasts like myself can unleash our creativity, test our story arcs with friends or strangers, ask for opinions and improve our skills.

Considering how many dull missions there are in the original City of Heroes/Villains story arcs, despite a few nice, inspired storylines, I think it was a good idea, all in all. Players are encouraged with rewards to create and play custom arcs, but not in any way forced; all the regular game content is still there, too.

 

[tarquin biscuitbarrel]

counter strike was originally user-created content.

gary's mod is user created content.

countless awesome FPS maps are user created content.

etc

 

[Meaty Turtle]

I think user created content should be implemented as much as possible. Just because most people can't make excellent levels, doesn't mean no one can, and a constant flow of new content skyrockets a game's replay value.

I just don't think it should be used as an excuse to release a bare bones game.

 

[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.

 

[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!

 

[Archaon6044]

i don't care no.

some game mods created by the gaming community can be very good, such as 7 Deadly Sins for Sins of a Solar Empire (DANMAN is a god!) and other games luck Oblivion and Fallout 3, and there are some maps for RTSs that are good, but for the majhority of it, i couldn't give less of a toss

 

[fff555f4]

I don't mind user-created content as long as it is purely optional. Like in Half-Life 2's case, if the option to make and display user-created content is in addition to a fully fledged, professionally designed game, then users can make all the penis shaped levels they want.

same here

i think that the reason that i didn`t like little big planet was because i don`t care about user made content

 

[seitori]

Sounds to me like you haven't played WarioWare. The microgames from that series are exactly the sort of thing that would do just fine in the hands of amateur designers. We're not talking about works of art here, just frenetic microgames. I just wish I had a DSi, mine's a Lite.

 

[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.

 

[cainx10a]

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.

Well, those same amateurs will become professionals one day. It's a learning tool and experience for them.

 

[CyberAkuma]

Console user-created content is a joke.
Not only is it extremely crippled, limited and poor - the fact that the videogame company OWNS any work you make that they can find profitable just further proves my point of how ridiculous it all is. (remember the Little Big Planet scandal?)

Any infriging content is removed. [http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/11/littlebigplan-1/] making the whole thing extremely crippled.

User MOD Communities for PC games on the other hand rule.

If it wasn't for the PC MOD community we wouldn't have games such as Counter-Strike nor Team Fortress.

 

[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.

Well, those same amateurs will become professionals one day. It's a learning tool and experience for them.

That's why I don't care if it is in the game, but I do care if it is the main selling point.