Developers, don’t you love ‘em?
I got thinking the other day about them, and the strange lack of good content these days. There are, admittedly, a few good ones still out there. No, I’m not talking about Rockstar. In fact, Rockstar are just as guilty of repetitive content as the rest of the larger developers.
First off, I best explain what I’m rambling about. It’s got to the point where these companies are motivated solely by sales. I know, I know, there are going to be these motivations in every company. However, it’s killing originality. Releasing the same game year after year is getting horribly frequent, and it’s starting to kill my previously invulnerable love of gaming.
I’m looking back over the last few years, trying to think of a new game that I’ve played that hasn’t been a re-hash of something else, be that a movie or another game, even a book. I’m struggling here, so please, help me out with that one. And please, no current generation titles, because they’re the worst for this.
Of course, when you have companies like EA ruling the roost in terms of being one of the biggest companies around, if not the biggest. It’s going to be hard to get original content out of them, because of their apparent ability to crush the creative soul of a project. Something I hope Riccitello can change, given his public opinions of the current state of EAs development teams.
In contrast to EA, with a monstrous employee base, you have companies such as Introversion Software. They're small, but their games are by far the best I've played for years. davidus and viscupelo have both, in their time, told me that Uplink is a fantastic game. First time I heard that I thought "Yeah.. Right" and moved on. In fact, I thought that until the later parts of 2006, when I got my hands on Defcon: Everybody Dies. I played that game for hours, literally hours, a time with age and a few other people from dA, and of course, solo. I've never had so much fun with a game. It was fantastic. Then, early on in 2007, I grabbed a copy of Uplink. It, too, stole hours of my days and nights. I tried Darwinia, too, but it wasn't for me. It's not bad, but it's not my cup of tea.
So, a small developer with three games released, have managed to capture the idea of fun, and kept it alive for the three games they've released so far, which have all been drastically different in terms of play style. Then you have the large, face less, companies throwing out game after game, with different titles, different graphics engines, but the same basic plot, the same characters with different names, and scarily similar areas of play.
The most entertaining games I've played recently are Burnout: Paradise, and Rainbow Six: Vegas 2. They're both retreads of other games. Burnout is guilty of trying to blend free-roaming city-scape with a kid-friendly rating. RS:v2 is guilty of being the same as RS:V, which is weakly (And I mean very weakly) explained away by the idea that it's in the same time frame as the first Vegas game. I'm pretty sure most of the story has been copy-pasted onto a new disc, with some more customisation features, some different T-Hunt maps, and some changes to the guns. Basic changes, might I add.
The most original game, in my opinion, of 2007 was Assassins Creed. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that it's going to be continued with its originality into AC2, and not because it's a sequel. I hope it will, but you never can tell with these games.
With the upcoming release of GTA IV (What is it now, eight days?), I'm sure at least one of you will tout this games originality, or superiority to everything else. Honestly, though, I know it's going to be the same as all the other GTA games in the series, slightly better looking, but all in all, it'll be the same. Don't tell me the story is great, because there is no story in GTA games. You always play a violent man involved with the 'wrong' people, drugs, and numerous other methods of breaking the law. Okay, so this time you're Eastern European rather than either a mute white guy, or a black guy, but that's hardly fantastic story, is it.
</rambling>
Comments
ɤDavidus
1Z 2 133+ 4 j00
When I play games made by developers like these, they just don't feel right. They have loose ends, and the difficulty curve looks like the French Alps.
I think PS3 development is a perfect example. Huge ass developers such as EA and Ubisoft can't seem to get their collective heads around the architecture, but tiny ikkle developers like Naughty Dog and Insomniac seem to make it look as if its a non issue. Hell, Insomniac seem to push out a quality game every year for the system.
And yes, Uplink is one of the greatest games ever. Its simple, but happens to be one of the most realistic and immersive games I've played.
An indifferent member of Team Fagballs since Winter 2007.
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Even with PC games, a relatively universal platform, they can't seem to get it right.
I've not played much in the way of Insomniac games recently. The new Ratchet and Clank did look kinda fun, though. Not buying a £400 system to try it out though
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤDavidus
1Z 2 133+ 4 j00
An indifferent member of Team Fagballs since Winter 2007.
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
And to be honest, I didn't really play a lot of it, hell, you were there for it
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤDavidus
1Z 2 133+ 4 j00
An indifferent member of Team Fagballs since Winter 2007.
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤDavidus
1Z 2 133+ 4 j00
An indifferent member of Team Fagballs since Winter 2007.
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Just maybe.
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤDavidus
1Z 2 133+ 4 j00
You could have been the annoying sniper that doesn't actually do anything useful and I could have been the useless medic healing the enemy.
Think of what could have been! THIS IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE SEX ANYMORE!!
An indifferent member of Team Fagballs since Winter 2007.
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Though, between us, I think we might have accidentally caused the enemy to take over the world, even if it wasn't programmed into the game to be allowed/a possible ending..
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤDavidus
1Z 2 133+ 4 j00
An indifferent member of Team Fagballs since Winter 2007.
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤDavidus
1Z 2 133+ 4 j00
Color? What were they thinking?
An indifferent member of Team Fagballs since Winter 2007.
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤDavidus
1Z 2 133+ 4 j00
An indifferent member of Team Fagballs since Winter 2007.
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Hippy. Get with the times!
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤdjh2048
Hot Girl In A Robo Suit
Look at Halo, a nice game at the start but it's honestly been a repeat every since. Why? Because during the development of the second Halo gaming began to catch on more, and then it was still coming in on the third Halo. So whats a developer to do? Come out with a totally new game that may or may not work? Or to the tried and tested method: just re-hash it so it appeals to the new gamers.
A bitch I have about games it's becoming very visually focused. Yes we have the power now, it's easy to get, but why is it such a dominating factor in a game?
Ubisoft, despite it's size has always been a favored company of mine. Bioware is up on my list too. Though one of the funnest games I played was a very simple 8bit game that was made by one guy not too long ago, some kind of "dungeon" game... but it was great.
So there's a side-rant for your rant boat
- Dan.H
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
I think the appearance thing is to hook in people who would normally pass it by. Also, a lot of reviews these days have a section for visuals. It's frustrating, but hey.
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤElsie
The Cake Is A Lie
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤWeapongod
Owned A Dreamcast
Theif: Your GP or your HP!
Du hast mich gefragt und ich hab nichts gesagt...
Be careful of the new Wonderflu bug thats going around!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤWeapongod
Owned A Dreamcast
Theif: Your GP or your HP!
Du hast mich gefragt und ich hab nichts gesagt...
Be careful of the new Wonderflu bug thats going around!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
I'm actually tempted to pick a PS3 up soon, to see what this R&C game is like.. and, of course, for Metal Gear.
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ɤWeapongod
Owned A Dreamcast
Theif: Your GP or your HP!
Du hast mich gefragt und ich hab nichts gesagt...
Be careful of the new Wonderflu bug thats going around!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Just 360 and Wii
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ʊchillinvillain
Is In Your Base, Killing Your Pokemans
Remember C&C original? I only very recently stopped saving my RTS missions the SECOND before i got the victory screen, because in C&C the country you invaded next had drastically different missions and if you picked one you hated you would have to go back to your last save game to get to that choice again.
companies have seemed to take this replayability concept, and driven it to "they like this, make more of this! but don't put it out at the same time, make them pay again!"
NCSoft is notoriously bad about this with MMOs
"We aren't allowed to say brainstorm where I work because it's apparently offensive to people with cerebal palsy (bullshit)." --Chalkley3
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
When it comes to NCSoft, they do have a strange position in comparison to most other MMO's, in that they don't charge monthly for Guild Wars, which has to be one of their most popular games, if not the most popular games they've put out.
What you say about companies and the replayability concept is very, very true, and is really quite evident with the current crop of games.
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
<.<
>.>
Good post man! Real good quality.
I, Gamer!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
I, Gamer!
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
I, Gamer!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
I, Gamer!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
It's a slog to get back from asshole-ville. Bloody zombies all down the road.
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
I, Gamer!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Buy a gun?
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
I, Gamer!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Well, okay, but I was talking about guns..
I see your point, though :B
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
I, Gamer!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
I'll try not to make it any more difficult for you >.>
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
Now...me and my guy are going to bed.>.>
I, Gamer!
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Don't want to break the firing pin again.
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.
ӝspot
Chief Instigator
I, Gamer!
ɤswordhorder
Plays With Bots
Why haven't you got Mount & Blade yet?
www.taleworlds.com
ӝNirach
Worrying is about as effective as chewing gum to solve algebra
Keep your eyes peeled for the average gamers.
Nothing's broken, it's just functioning differently.