Are Industry Shifts Leaving Game Veterans Behind?
See Full ImageHigh-definition. Motion sensing. 3D. The online multiplayer explosion. Multi-purpose consoles. The PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. Wireless everything. Digital media.
The world of gaming has changed drastically in the past decade; it could even be argued that it has changed drastically in this generation alone. And while I'm not claiming to be one of those old-school gamers that feels overwhelmed or left behind due to these advancements and shifts, I'm wondering if this is a legitimate phenomenon. Are those who grew up with the Atari and arcades feeling squeezed out of an industry that suddenly seems to have different goals and intentions? When we were kids in the '80s, "multiplayer" was only when a buddy sat next to you and played on the same TV. There was no motion sensing or high definition or online/digital anything. These days, if a game doesn't boast online multiplayer, it doesn't make it onto the store shelf. They're all in high-def and pretty soon, all three consoles will have the option of motion sensing technologies and various online compatibilities, ranging from extra downloadable content for games to films and even original television shows. There is often a debate that the new multiplayer focus has had a negative impact on single-player experiences.
For instance, I hear Splinter Cell: Conviction is very short. Now, I've played and completed every SC and none of them could really be considered "short," but this new one is apparently only around 6 hours in length. ...it also features very robust online multiplayer modes. We could argue about this all day but we should also recognize that games like Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Heavy Rain, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, God of War III and the upcoming The Last Guardian are all about the single-player adventures, and they're some of the best gaming experiences one can have. We could point out that it seems more and more apparent with every passing year that the Xbox 360 is apparently dedicated only to multiplayer gaming but even then, we could cite Alan Wake for next month. Even so, I don't think there's any argument that things have changed a great deal over the years, and even genres have changed a great deal ('cough' RPGs 'cough'). Such changes are quite visible.
We should probably concede that gaming was mostly a solitary activity in the early days of the industry; after all, that was the escapist, stay-at-home part that appealed to the "nerds." We admit it. And coming from that generation and growing up enjoying our games a certain way, this constant focus on technologies and advancements we don't really care about so much can chafe. It chafes even more when you realize that new gamers really love it; they crave the progression and that's perfectly understandable. But tradition is a powerful thing for the aging gamer. I don't care how great online multiplayer can be, I will never do it very often. I don't care how great 3D or the PlayStation Move might be; I will always go back and play the classics. And I don't care if all games eventually go digital; I will always treasure my physical media collection. At the same time, I plan to remain up to speed for two reasons: 1. it's still the industry I love and 2. it's my job.
But I freely admit that it may be a bit uncomfortable. Anybody else feel this way? Or if not all the time, at least some of the time?
4/25/2010 9:21:44 PM Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (102 posts)
Alienange
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:12:30 PM
5 up, 0 down
sonic1899
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:37:36 PM
*Turns back to Resonance of Fate*
4 up, 0 down
eLLeJuss
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:18:17 PM
0 up, 1 down
Jawknee
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:32:26 PM
8 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:17:31 AM
I would readily pay $60 for a 5-hour game if I believe I will be satisfied with the campaign. And bear in mind, that's STILL cheaper than a movie, either DVD or Blu-Ray, in terms of bang for your buck. 2-hour movie for $20 to $30; 5-hour game for $60.
And thankfully, most games are longer than 5 hours. But that could change...
4 up, 7 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:26:14 AM
The stealth looked stupid as you could run right up next to a guy, thats right, run, and as long as you weren't directly in front of him he wouldn't hear or see you. What da crap? is what I said.
I watched multiplayer and single player vids and it looked terrible, the sneakiness was so so bad. If I had an xbox I wouldn't play it, even tho I enjoyed some of the previous ones.
9 up, 1 down
Bromus398
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:04:05 PM
Reply
While I'm happy to see HD gaming become the norm, there are some sad trends emerging in modern media - ridiculously short or easy (read: accessible) campaigns, an aim for commercial viability over quality, and the list goes on... Though I must say that there have been some great leaps in video game storytelling, it just feels like it's become a rare phenomenon instead of the revolution I think we all hoped for. Oh well, there's still time, there have been some fantastic games this generation; so long as M$ never gets its hands on an exclusive Twilight game for 360, there might even be hope that mainstream gaming won't be destroyed by teenage girls like film and novels have.
8 up, 0 down
MartyRules
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:26:14 PM
Reply
9 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:48:50 AM
0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:30:23 PM
Reply
We live in a world where our friends are no longer just the kids on the block who can run over and play with us at the drop of a hat. Our friends and family are all over the place and it is absolutely brilliant that we can get online and play with them in a few great multiplayer matches or co-op.
Adding multiplayer to a game at the expense of the single player campaign is due to the limitations of the DVD. Nothing else. You cited MGS4 and UC2 as examples of single player experiences but they can just as easily be listed under great multiplayer because the BD gave them the needed room.
Who in the world isn't glad that they added multiplayer to racing games? Or multiplayer to all the sports titles? Or co-op in WKC and Borderlands?
Muliplayer rules, and it is welcomed in the hands of veteran gamers.
7 up, 3 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:20:15 AM
No, not all veteran gamers "welcome" it.
10 up, 1 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:32:09 AM
Mind you, it was Halo 3 and Xbox Live, boring game to me, but chatting with my friend while he was in Greece and England and Italy, etc, while frag grenading his face was a real blast.
If only my friends had PS3s instead of 360's, then I'd be a happy gamer. The tide is slowly turning tho, 1 friend finally gave into buying a PS3 after FF XIII came out. He considered a 360 for ages cos it was cheaper, but went with the PS3 cos of a sweet deal with Fifa 10 and FF XIII was clearly better on PS3.
4 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:36:30 AM
Everytime I play a shooter like COD, MW2 or Halo 3, I get so bored after 1 round. And none of my friends want to play anything else.
I get more excitement from completing a single player game anyday, especially a difficult single player game.
Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 will always be above COD and Halo to me. I like a good shooter (like Killzone 2 or COD 4 single player) but lately the genre has just grown stale.
Even developers are seeing that FPS's are getting stale, cos they're implementing other genres into it, like RPG or Mirror's Edge style movement.
5 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:31:44 AM
However, I'd be willing to bet that over 90% of online multiplayer is not co-op but vs. Like deathmatch and the like. bad company 2 and modern warfare 2 for example.
Those kinds of multiplayer are so repetitive, I barely ever do it. I know some people enjoy it, but it reminds me of WoW and all those guys who are always saying, "I gotta do this dungeon just a few more times to get this new piece of epic gear, I'm so excited."
Yeah, sorry but doing the same thing every single day is not how I want to spend my free time.
3 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:55:05 AM
If you guys see me online playing COD or something like that, you can bet it's my old uni. roommate who now lives 20 hours away or one of my groomsmen hailing from all over who are also online.
And although I consider communication to be key in those types of games, I find myself often muting everyone except my friends. Why everyone wants to get with my ugly-ass mother is beyond me. Also, I'm sick of being called a pussy by a 22 year old high school drop-out who lives with their parents and works at the local burger joint. Nothing wrong with figuring out what you want to do with your future, but don't compensate by trashing people for fun. >.<
Last edited by Underdog15 on 4/26/2010 8:58:49 AM
1 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:33:16 PM
Reply
21 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:03:20 PM
7 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:38:18 AM
What would Heavy Rain fall under?
1 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:32:42 AM
Holy crap, we don't know what to call it, but we sure love it!
5 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:51:37 AM
7 up, 1 down
CH1N00K
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:40:00 PM
Reply
I'd put warhawk in and my first time playing, well I sucked, and I was getting frustrated..and that's one thing I have a problem with online games..if you don't know what you're doing, there is no learning curve...It is go online and respawn until you figure it out.
Luckily I met a couple guys online who were really good, and not opposed to teaching the new "recruits" how to play. I played with and against them pretty steady for a few weeks and it it hadn't been for them I would have given up on the game long before I'm sure.
Not only did I meet a couple of cool guys, but a few weeks later I found myself doing the same with showing the new guys the ropes, and I still do that now with online games that I play. I'm still not amazing at them, but I can get by.
I don't know what it's like on Xbox live, but I for one can say that on the PSN, I've had loads of fun meeting new people and blowing crap up...and a few times I've laughed so hard my face would hurt the next day.
As long as you get the right group (like a few of you I've met on here) there is no better experience then online gaming.
If any of you guys are interested in some online gaming, check out the forums, we have a thread going there for fellow PSXers who would like to get together and game online.
7 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:43:10 PM
Reply
What bothers me is that they want to make story-based games into online games. It's like no matter how story driven a game is, it HAS to have online. This isn't so bad if done well, but people as if EVERY game they buy must have it.
The two genres which have been really hurt has been the rpg and platform genres...
Demon's Souls and White Knight Chronicles (to me) are the only good rpgs this generation...
And besides Ratchet and Clank and LBP there really aren't that many platform games anymore (well the new Mario games on the Wii are doing really well, so I'm happy for that)
5 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:32:38 PM
I'll keep saying this until they listen - if the industry won't support me, I won't support them.
6 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:25:24 AM
7 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:51:43 AM
Its success leads to the dumbing down of other games and genres to tap into the success of 1 game.
When will these companies learn that you mustn't copy the most popular guy? It never works!!!
Look at other businesses. You have copy cats and you have industry leaders in their own field. Why can't game developers take this approach to business too!?!?!
I don't mind when other FPS developers attempt to tap into the COD crowd, cos MW is the clear leader of the genre. But when ALL game developers of different genres attempt to tap the COD crowd, they are only alienating themselves from their fans and setting themselves up for failure.
SE attempted this move, and wound up with the lowest scoring major FF release so far. They should just stick to their genre and find ways to improve their own formula, not taking other people's successful formulas (especially an FPS) and trying to squeeze it into their own.
Sorry, a lot of rambling, but PS3 is the only console that still caters to ALL gamers, single player, co-op, vs, online or splitscreen, genre lovers AND FPS lovers.
360 has Alan Wake. 1 GAME for single player lovers!!! Damn you twitch gamers and your love of mindless shooters!!!!!
6 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:36:55 AM
"Sadly, I think they only care about the games that can appeal to the widest possible demographic"
but I would add,
"with the least amount of work as to maximize profits as quickly as possible."
5 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 2:01:36 AM
If what you say is so, the gaming industry is doomed to repeat the same decline of standards as Movies and TV. One of the things I keep hearing about the 'Net and all the new digital technology is how it will allow niche markets to be served. The thing is, I'm not talking about a niche market. OK old-timers who like traditional JRPGs may not be the majority of gamers, but they are hardly a niche.
Like I said in the above comments. If the industry will not serve me, I will find other hobbies to pursue. It's up to the game industry to serve me, not me to serve them. If the industry wants my support as a consumer with dollars to spend, then they have to continue to make products that are relevant to me.
It's all fine and well to talk of the industry moving on and all, but the thing is more than 50% of the gamers currently spending dollars have been doing so for a decade or more. If these 'old timers' are no longer the focus of the industry, then the industry is ignoring half the potential market for their product. Worse still, the 50% of the market being ignored is a relatively affluent segment.
I'm not in the mood to accept industry excuses about appealing to a broader demographic. When I hear that I know that what it really means is diluting the content to offend fewer people and debasing the content to appeal to the mass audience who can't distinguish between Rambo and Reality.
Sorry to rant and sound so down on the industry, but when games that I might have to pay $60 for are arriving with 6 hours of SP content, I am gonna rant.
7 up, 0 down
Qwarktast1c
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:14:36 AM
big flippin deal!! i'd much rather play resistance or killzone if i want my FPS fix
now there is talk of a third title?? jeez you think they milk this enough? i mean its just like GH!
4 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:22:19 AM
Highlander: I entirely agree but unfortunately, I believe the first part of your post is correct. The signs that we are following the same decline in quality as other industries are painfully evident. I think it's inevitable when an entertainment venue finally toggles that huge, annoying, flashing-neon "mainstream" light.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 4/26/2010 10:23:37 AM
4 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:20:31 PM
Not saying that it didn't take work, but when you compare the modern shooters to other games, its a completely different world. Call of duties are getting churned out as quickly as madden.
Original titles take much more work and creativity. I just think that if shooters took several years to develop and sold less, we'd have a lot fewer fps' out there.
For example if the next COD took the same amount of time to develop as ffxiii and sold the same amount of copies, we'd see a lot fewer fps' on store shelves. Companies just see huge profits in churning out a fps every year instead of coming up with something original.
That's my belief anyway.
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:41:50 AM
0 up, 0 down
godsman
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:54:52 PM
Reply
The traditional controllers purposely map the trigger buttons to your index fingers for a sense of realism. So why not won't they like motion controlling? It's more realistic than using a standard controller.
As long as the developers make the right games for the motion controllers, I'm sure gamers will accept them.
0 up, 3 down
NeoHumpty
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:05:37 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:09:44 PM
The Wii has worked so well precisely because it retained the controller and buttons. Gamers want to hold something while they play. Natal ignores the tactile feedback element of holding something substantial while playing.
I think that long term PS Move and Wii's motion control systems are the winners. I'd say that Move is better technology, but Wii has a huge install base.
6 up, 0 down
tes37
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 10:56:52 PM
Reply
5 up, 0 down
NeoHumpty
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:02:13 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:18:25 AM
3 up, 0 down
___________
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 2:23:58 AM
but than it does depend on what you do, i rushed it because i needed to finish dantes inferno and a few others.
if your going to find every little sister, big sister, upgrade every weapon and such than id take you maybe 20.
bioshock 2 is still one of my favorite games of the year.
brilliant story, well refined gamplay, controls that dont get me killed 10 times per minute!
the only thing i wish they would change is the freaking engine.
the graphics in bioshock were outdated for a 2007 game, and bioshock 2 a 2010 game has almost the same graphics as the first!
the unreal engine is like the nans dog, old withered full of arthritis can barley stand on its legs but its still hanging in there.
wish it would die already!!!!!!!!!!
1 up, 2 down
Jawknee
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:19:05 AM
1 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:11:02 PM
Reply
PS3 exclusives are amazing but very few offer offline multiplayer which stinks.
2 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:01:53 AM
Hopefully this over-saturation of online shooters will change the landscape soon. I am so sick of hearing 12 year olds swearing online whenever they got shot or whenever I shoot them.
1 up, 0 down
NoSmokingBandit
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:21:07 PM
Reply
Sadly, i feel like the ps3 is the last console i will ever buy. I like owning games, not renting them (DRM is pure evil, imo), so i'll only buy disc games. I can see the next generation being very DLC-Heavy, which means i'll be stuck with the few games that arent downloadable. Sure, its voluntary and i'm sad that i'll be missing out on some great games, but if more people would vote with their wallets we would see gaming return to how it was in the psx/ps2 era: 20 hour long campaigns and bucketloads of fun.
I certainly dont blame Sony/MS/Nintendo. They have to make what sells, and sadly most people enjoy buying terrible games. I'm a little sad that kids these days will never pick up Super Metroid or Earthbound and understand what gaming was like when every resource was spent making sure the game was as fun as possible.
But times change. You either adapt or get left in the dust.
7 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:05:16 AM
1. A fantastic single player that was fun and exciting to get through.
2. Online multiplayer that didn't sacrifice the campaign in any way.
3. The most fun I've had with a shooter (TPS) in ages.
Last edited by Dancemachine55 on 4/26/2010 1:05:30 AM
5 up, 0 down
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 11:10:07 AM
I thought KZ2 had a great campaign and a pretty great online as well, but its tough for a FPS to get any publicity when there are too many MW fans around who play only MW until the next MW is out.
I'm just wondering if the market can sustain itself by appealing only to kids with ADD who cant play an old school rpg without whining about how boring it is. Unfortunately the movie industry seems to do alright appealing to idiots, so i'm hoping the gaming crowd will retain some of its intelligence, even in the younger crowd.
1 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:44:36 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 11:49:32 PM
Reply
"Hell No" I don't, and I'm all for most of the new tech, as in 3D, Motion controllers, the PS9, etc.
I want all every new advantage available to me to be able to add on &/or increase my desire to play.
Now with that said, I "AM" leaving some of the new tech behind, as in DL & DLC.
I'm a collector so I want all my games in physical format.
Plus I'm not willing to pay for any DLC that's been chopped out of a full game so that any unscrupulous company can keep adding on extra fees for me to pay what should have already been mine in the first place. The only thing I will ever use DL's for is for free updates, free games, free demos, free videos or free DLC.
And I "AM" also leaving some more new tech behind, as in "MP only" games, or any game that forsake SP mode, just to boost up their sales from the MP mode.
And the same thing goes for these short a$$ed games too(example, I'm not the greatest player, but I was still able to finish the SP mode of GRAW2 in only 5 hours). WTF is with that, and while only buying it at a low price of $25, I still feel like I got seriously fu*ked out of $12.50 worth of that money(plus tax)!
Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/25/2010 11:52:16 PM
6 up, 0 down
CH1N00K
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:47:05 AM
But I think whether you're going to feel left behind or not is going to depend on the person. I admit I'm a Gadget freak. Even if I don't buy something, whenever I hear of something new and "shiny" coming out, I have to look into it and decide whether it's worth my money or not.
Some things are a No (like the first batch of 3D TV's lol) But then others are like, gotta have it now! (like when the PS3 launched,lol)
So it depends on how tech oriented you are I think whether gaming will affect you..that being said, I still have not bought or played Heavenly Sword because after reading the reviews, I felt that the length of the game was not worth my 60 bucks, and I've been waiting to get it for cheap...but no one is dropping the price!!
5 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:22:44 AM
I follow your mentality too. There are a few exceptions though. I got Braid and Castle Crashers which are truly excellent games, but remain loyal to the physical disc medium.
Most DLC I only get for free. The only stuff I pay money towards are songs for Singstar or Rock Band that I truly enjoy. Being a huge rhythm music genre fan, I have over 120 songs for Singstar as DLC, and over 140 songs as DLC for Rock Band. That's what I've gathered over the last 2 years of owning my PS3.
I will always prefer single player masterpieces over online multiplayer games. God of War 3 is the perfect example. It has sold more and scored better than Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and NGS2 has a lot of online stuff, so online isn't everything.
4 up, 0 down
rogers71
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 7:13:23 AM
I am with you on the music genre love. I have Rockband and Singstar. I think Rockband has done their song downloads the right way by not restricting them to a single PS3. Singstar, on the other hand, screwed me and everyone else.
You may not realize it yet but if your PS3 goes kapoot and you have to buy another one, you won't be able to redownload your Singstar songs unless you contact them and get them to unlock the DRM. I have been in the process for about 6 months now. I had to send them the receipt showing my new PS3 and the model and serial number for it also. They have yet to release my songs so I can get them back. Dam* you DRM. Worst invention ever.
Hope this never happens to you buddy.
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:44:40 PM
But I've got a 320 gig seagate HDD in my PS3, so if I have to get a replacement, I'll just switch the HDD's, resync my network account to the new PS3 and still have my songs available.
Would that even work?
0 up, 0 down
Robochic
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:53:40 AM
Reply
I think the move will be good as long as Sony keeps up with it, Nintendo has not done that so my poor Wii is sitting on the shelf collecting dust :(
@ NeoHumpty man you finished it in 8 hours?
@ Ben, 15 hours seems correct. you must of collected everything? I'm 9 hours into it and man it's not an easy game but it's very enjoyable. I downloaded all the new Online DLC so I'm hoping to try that, hey hows the new UC2 DLC? I haven't heard much about it and wondering if it's worth it?
4 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:26:49 AM
EB Games is offering 200 bucks for a Wii towards a PS3 here in Australia. We're spreading the word of Move, blu-ray, HD gaming and online play. (well, smoother and easier online than Wii)
Hardly anyone plays their Wii anymore. It was a fad that soon died, just like everyone predicted. Here's hoping Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid can save it.
5 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:25:16 AM
And actually, I think it was more like 17 or 18 hours.
0 up, 0 down
InBlackestNight
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:11:39 AM
Reply
Last edited by InBlackestNight on 4/26/2010 1:13:16 AM
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:33:49 AM
Reply
1. Great single player games will always beat good multiplayer games. I rarely go online, except with friends to play Borderlands. That is the perfect online game to me.
2. I am very much looking forward to PS Move and am intrigued by Natal. The Wii is a lot of fun when it works the way you want it to.
3. I'm not overly keen on 3D, but am willing to give it a go when the price comes down. I still think it's a fad in some ways.
4. DLC is great when offered for free or if the price is reasonable. For example, I buy a lot of extra songs on Rock band and Singstar, but the Stimulus Pack for MW2 is a joke and a complete ripoff. $15 for 5 maps!?!?! No extra characters, guns, missions or anything!!!! Just a different scenery to run around in!!!
What a joke...
5 up, 0 down
Robochic
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:36:45 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:56:39 AM
Reply
All these companies making these MP games and throwing in these tiny little Sp campaigns should just forget it. When you go into a project fully committed to the MP, throwing is a short, unthoughtful SP, is not icing on the cake. It seems more like a cake with too much flower. Leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
Same thing goes for the other way around. A game dedicated to SP shouldn't worry about throwing in some MP just for that niche of gamers. When you draw resources away from the body of the piece, its like building a house. You've weakened the foundation in order to put on really nice shutters.
I think companies need to stop worrying about making everybody happy with each and every game. It's an old saying but a true one, when you try to please everyone, you often please no one.
I say sit down, decide what your gaming is going to be and stick to it. I feel most games should be SP or MP, not both. Not to say that it should never be both, just that it has to flow smoothly. I love WKC and it has both, but neither aspect feels slighted, it has that feeling, that rhythm.
Gaming companies used to get an idea and run with it, but many of them have fallen into the rut of trying to do it all with every game and games just aren't meant to be that way.
As for the new tech, I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't feel left behind, I love looking up all the new stuff and trying it when it becomes available. However gimmicks always end up the same way, collecting dust in the corner. The good stuff, the quality, it will last and I will love it. To the quality tech I say, bring it on, I can't wait.
7 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:46:38 AM
AMEN to your post!!!!!
Same thoughts!
1 up, 0 down
___________
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 2:26:19 AM
Reply
now developers are more interested in cramming more people into a server, than making a compelling story mode.
i wont be surprised if we start seeing MP only games being a majority of the market.
thats the day my ps3, 360 and pc go in the garage and my ps1 comes back to life.
now where did i put the old girl?
1 up, 4 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:50:29 PM
PS3 still offers PSone downloads and backwards compatability. So don't let your PS3 go to waste just yet. There's still hope for the SP story loving gamer. Look at the hype behind God of War III, Uncharted 2's tonne of awards, and the marketing behind Alan Wake which is a single player story-telling game. (And 360 game, but totally worth owning the console for)
1 up, 0 down
___________
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 8:19:10 AM
and even more impossible to find in decent condition.
i wish sony would assign a development studio to just remaking ps1 and ps2 classics in HD with trophy support like they did with GOW 1 and 2.
sure it would take heaps of time, effort, and getting the legal paperwork would not be easy for some games.
but its worth it, no?
0 up, 1 down
Japan_Fan
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 2:57:00 AM
Reply
Off-topic: Ben, could you write an article about SEGA`s single-player games (especially for dreamcast).
Im seems that more and more DC-Games are on its way to XBL, which really annoys me. We all heart about the discussion between Sony and Sega about the games coming to PSN, but now it seems the "other side" seems to get all the love. I would love to play Shenmue 1&2 on my PS3, so we should let Sega know that a lot of veterans only have a PS3, I am sure I am not the only one. Sega just have to look at FFVII numbers on PSN.
4 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:30:39 AM
1 up, 0 down
Gamer46
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:07:04 AM
Reply
Last edited by Gamer46 on 4/26/2010 3:07:57 AM
2 up, 0 down
Ergi
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:16:35 AM
Reply
Also, the whole PS-move thing, i don't need it. I just want to chill with my dual schock 3 when playing games.
I only play online with fight night round 4 and fifa, since I hardly have people over to play offline and online coop, well i don't really have any friends to play that with.
PS. Great article!! Man do I love PSXextreme, granted I haven't been much of a poster and I just recently registered, but I have been a follower for many years. This site has great content and great followers. Bunch of intelligent, mature people around here who also know how to have fun from time to time. Just reading the comments is highly informative. I always love Highlander's rants.
6 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:29:58 AM
2 up, 0 down
A2K78
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:29:26 AM
Reply
0 up, 3 down
BikerSaint
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 4:53:11 PM
Speak for yourself....Oh snap, you can't!
Because at around 33 years of age, I doubt you've even begun "Sampling" what it is like to be one of us old time gamers.
Enuff said!
Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/26/2010 4:54:33 PM
1 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:04:16 PM
Love the "oh snap" remark
1 up, 0 down
Qubex
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 4:17:37 AM
Reply
I don't feel alienated at all; however I would prefer if there were more "old school" type games that were given the HD treatment. I really enjoy platformers so I wish there were more of those, especially the more cutesy type games. More "Crash Bandicoot" would be nice, more "Trine" too...
Other than that I am largely satisfied with what's going down at the moment. I do hope though the trashy Hollywood bug does not strike at the heart of game development, what we want is quality and originality sustained... I also hope this 3D fad does not cloud developers either.
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
2 up, 0 down
slimey
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 4:48:08 AM
Reply
"SE attempted 2this move, and wound up with the lowest scoring major FF release so far. They should just stick to their genre and find ways to improve their own formula, not taking other people's successful formulas (especially an FPS) and trying to squeeze it into their own."
and yet, in spite of lukwarm reviews, FFXIII has been a gigantic hit. I guess SE knew this would be the case due to the huge number of loyal FF fans who would shell out even if they made FF into a FPS. In other words, old time gamers be royally taken advantage off.
One thing I do love about this gen, and whuch does cater for old skool gamers, is the easy availability of classic titles as DLC. Nintendo has a lead over Sony & MS in this regard - the Virtual Console is an unfathomably large treasure chest of great games. However, in terms of great current gen games that satisfy my thirst for rewarding single-player experiences, PS3 is THE console
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:29:09 AM
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:07:46 PM
The fact that it is multiplatform didn't hurt sales numbers either, but in terms of gaming quality, visuals were spectacular, but the battle system and progression was far to simplified and far too narrow compared to past entries, hence the slightly lower review score compared to previous major FF releases.
0 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:54:18 AM
Reply
If I could go back in time and show Uncharted 2 to the 10 year old me, I'm sure he'd/I'd be bursting to play it, but if I then showed him/me the controller, I'm sure he'd/I'd run away crying.
1 up, 0 down
DeathOfChaos
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 7:20:06 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Bromus398
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:19:58 PM
0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:12:56 AM
Reply
As far as online play being less "solitary" than in the old days, I started playing video games by going to the arcades in the early '80s. I hung out with friends, met girls, had fun. Sitting alone in your bedroom with a headset isn't my idea of having a social life.
I guess the industry is changing, but I don't have enough time to play even a fraction of the games available. So if the whole FPS genre wants to go with token single player campaigns that only last a few hours, there's still plenty of single-player oriented stuff to keep me occupied.
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:28:13 AM
However, I think you and I BOTH know that the arcade was hardly a hot-spot for meeting girls. ;)
3 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:02:16 AM
Reply
I think I can consider myself a veteran gamer, having played Atari, Famicom/ NES, Megadrive and the PS's. For what its worth, the progression today is okay for me. What I don't like is when traditional games become try-hards on some unlikely innovations. *cough FF* but i also marvel at the likes of MGS that take innovation on a whole new level. Publishers and developers should always take into account the followers they have for the game they have and build from there instead of trying to appeal to everyone and have sh*t fly everywhere..
0 up, 0 down
lupus
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:20:27 AM
Reply
also wtf is my eqoa 2 i bought the ps3 in hopes for a eqoa 2 or another REAL mmo nothing like the ga-y dcuo or agency thats just crap. i though i hope FF XIV will be worth getting..
and also what is it with ps3 games most of them lag or frame rate issues im very dissapointed even heavy rain got frame rate issues its just not good enough. pretty much hate everything about this gen - ps2 at none failures good games no lag/frame rate issues atleast not in a single player game.
in next gen im not gonna buy ps4 or whatever on release day like i did with the ps3 man this have been disspointing
only games i like is gow 3 and uncharted 1 and 2 and my fav so far is demons souls.
dragon age is the worst crap i ever played - that game just runs so crap its stupid bioware need to step it up - f*** the story if anger on the game coz it looks like something in the toilet and and run like my satelite is out of order.
phew that was nice to give my hatred out.
Last edited by lupus on 4/26/2010 9:20:43 AM
1 up, 9 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:27:08 AM
The frame rate in Heavy Rain is hardly ever anything to detract from the experience and while Dragon Age could get ugly at times, the frame rate drawback certainly wasn't crippling.
It sounds to me like you're going out of your way to find things wrong with great games.
4 up, 1 down
lupus
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:51:28 PM
thats the way i am.
0 up, 8 down
CH1N00K
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:02:56 PM
3 up, 0 down
bearbobby
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:25:49 PM
2 up, 0 down
Miggy
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:26:33 AM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Phoelix
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:39:31 AM
Reply
I don't quite understand why "veteran" gamers are unhappy with the way games are going. Think back to the Atari/whatever else days: what kind of stories did you enjoy? They were pretty bland, right (at least most of them)? Now fast forward to today and see how storytelling in video games has grown up (Heavy Rain).
If anything, I'm unhappy with the direction that Nintendo has gone with their games. While they should be praised for making offline local multiplayer an option for their games, their games are still being made for and marketed to kids. Mario/Zelda/the rest are fun, but it's quite apparent to me that 20-year-olds weren't the target audience. The worst part is that since they're so wildly successful, Nintendo really has no reason to make a mature game.
1 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 11:36:46 AM
Reply
It really bothers me to see this shift torwards short singleplayer games. I can somewhat see the justification in a multiplayer heavy title, but please, do not ruin my singleplayer experience. For example, I would have rather seen a 20 hour title in Uncharted 2 instead of adding multiplayer to the title.
My other concern is the 360. Despite what some might think, the physical limitations of the hardware/software combination will always be a limitation to the PS3. MGS4, Killzone 2, Uncharted 2, and God of War 3 showed how good the PS3/Blu Ray combo can be once devs get a command of the PS3. What is Gran Turismo and the other batch of exclusives going to do in the future?
Just some thoughts.
3 up, 0 down
FlyingKickPunch
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:44:03 PM
1 up, 1 down
FlyingKickPunch
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:40:16 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:25:50 PM
They understand that there are more to games than itching trigger fingers and online deathmatches. They still have them, but they also have so much more, like Uncharted 2, and God of War 3, and Heavy Rain, and Littlebig Planet, and Modnation Racers.
Keep up the good work Sony. MS has got their heart set on shooters, online deathmatches and hitting invisible big red balls. Shooters and minigames, that certainly sounds like it covers all gamers...
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:42:47 AM
0 up, 0 down
RebelJD
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 7:33:35 PM
Reply
If people treat this industry like all others, then seeing it grow can be enjoyable and less miserable. There will be a time when age may creep up on you and you will become bitter to new technology and new ideas (just like gramps).
The best thing to do is appreciate classics for what they are, classics. If one lives in the past, then yes, they're stuck in the past. One can appreciate the music of The Beatles but can't possibly be head over heels about them like they just discovered an up and coming band. Some of us, if not all of us weren't even around when some of the great movies, books, and music of our time were first released..so the sane thing to do is appreciate the classics. Soon enough what we played as kids will become a past one can only read about. Remember, a 16 year old kid wasn't even around when NES was the system of choice. They grew up on the PS2 and so on..so when one talks about these old gadgets highly, in their eyes it's like "What?". Not to mention this whole world has accepted "emo-ism" so in reality, everything is all jacked up.
Last edited by RebelJD on 4/26/2010 7:36:32 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:45:38 AM
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:56:12 PM
Reply
Good post man!
Now, if any of our real young generation really want's to taste some of the "gems" that those old system had to offer, all they have to do is check places like Ebay, 1/2 price, Amazon, and other retro gaming sites to buy an old used system & it's games.
That's exactly what I plan to do cause I miss my old Intellivision, Coleco-Vision, & Atari 2600 consoles(that I stupidly sold when I was a lot younger).
And I want my old original favorite games back too, games like Donkey Kong, Stampede, Pitfall, Dungeons & Dragons, & especially Burgertime, etc. etc.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/26/2010 8:57:26 PM
1 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:28:54 PM
what system was it on? And what year was it released?
2 up, 0 down
LividFiction
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 1:28:04 AM
2 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 7:29:50 PM
Reply
Here ya go man, ENJOY the trip!!!!
Bugertime actually started out as an arcade game, but Burgertime came out on my Colecovision console(and also for the Intellivision console) in 1882.
In the game you had different levels where the different hamburger parts were stacked.
And you as a chef had to keep dropping the top buns, the lettuces & the burger patties down to the bottom level to complete all the burgers.
In the meantime, fried eggs, hot dogs, pickle & other villains tried to chase you down to stop you.
The main strategy of the game was to make a complete burger & to also get rid of the villains by either dropping parts of the burger onto them or luring them onto the part you're about to drop, so that they fall down(either way gave you different scores).
If you scored enough, you'd get little extra perks, such as pepper, that you could shake at the enemy, thereby stunning them for a few moments.
And if you could reach score of 10,000, you'd gain another life(chef) for each 10 grand.
There were 4 speeds you could chose from, & a bunch of different levels, with each level getting harder & harder w/ added villains.
And at level 7 ,they even threw in a few dead-end roadblocks to trip you up.
Here's some good Wikipedia & YouTube info & vids on the game.....
Burgertime
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BurgerTime
Here's 2 Burgertime Game commercials from 1983
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ohIl-c8Gm8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rnRRph4bcE
Burgertime Review for Mattel Intellivision
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uw_WWmhlRk
Burgertime on the Colecovision system
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoCuB_e6MSg
Burgertime Review for Colecovision
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2M33TSCg8w
Blue Sky Ranger Ray Kaestner talks about his Intellivision classic video game BurgerTime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91fmS1l6xII
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 7:38:10 PM
Reply
Burgertime was also on the Colecovision system.
I had both the Intellivision & the Colecovision versions of BT, and the Colecovision version was the best out of all the console'd versions).
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Friday, April 30, 2010 @ 2:55:50 AM
Reply
Games today are less twitchy than the arcade-style games of the past; far more story-oriented and far more forgiving. Even FPSs are generally less twitchy than something like Quake.
And I, for one, prefer it that way.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 4/30/2010 2:57:23 AM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Reply
Sunday, April 25, 2010 @ 9:48:13 PM
Secondly I think that there is a *perception* that somehow older gamers *can* be left behind. I don't think that they can in fact be left behind. The trouble is that many in the industry have a very homogeneous view of the market. They act as if the game market were one huge uniform lump where all players want the same things and all players will play the same way.
What a bunch of crap. The market is segmented both demographically and by genre. But hey, if SE and others want to act like we're all 20-something male and twicth gamers, they can do so. It may be the death of the industry, it will certainly be the death of a lot of game genre. Perhaps it will finally enoucrage me to follow another hobby.
After all if the industry won't support me, I won't support them.