Video games... what happened, man? (690 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.4 on 46 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by garudave <misterkick.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2007-04-11 02:21:32 EDT
Dear video games,
What happened, man? We used to be such great friends, and you used to be extremely entertaining. Now we're just acquaintances, and you're just mildly entertaining.
My wife says it's the lack of extremes in games nowadays. No longer can I turn into a wrecking ball and run into birds while rappelling into a mineshaft, or be a worm in a bionic spacesuit shooting shit out of a house-shaped gun. She says that I should write to Konami and tell them to bring back Jackal, so I can fight ten tanks with my missile-equipped jeep. I dunno, though.
Personally, I think these new-fangled graphics are what turns me off. What separated my life from Doom was the piss-poor graphics. Sure, I can chainsaw the fuck out of guys in Gears of War, but no amount of gore will ever be as satisfying as using the rocket launcher to turn an imp into a pile of flesh and garbage. I remember, I used to play the shit out of Wolf3D... and you could eat the dog food. I didn't figure that out until six years after I stopped playing... 'cause I thought the dog food was just some borscht that the Germans left laying around. Now I can't play Wolf3D anymore, 'cause I feel like an idiot.
Games aren't inventive anymore, either. It's probably because they've done just about every fucking thing they can, and now they're just recycling. Just like the movie industry, remakes of old games are coming out. I'd just like to point out how much Doom 3 sucked my dick, and not in a good way. Like braces scratching my shaft, Doom 3 took everything I knew about killing hellspawn and threw it out the window... for what, better graphics and "vertex shaders"? Fuck shaders, you guys took out the spider-demons. For that, you should be hanged.
Physics, too. What the fuck do I need seven million different reactions from each object in my environment for? Immersive, yes, but I could give a fuck less. Ragdoll physics need to get the fuck out. I remember in Streets of Rage 2 when I threw thugs at other thugs, they all fell the exact same way. As another video game fan once pointed out, every enemy in Contra 3 died the same way, regardless of if you flamed, shot, or ran over them. Most of the enemies in Shinobi 3 exploded when they died, and Shinobi 3 is the best game of all time.
Also, Tom Clancy: what do I need to customize my weapons for? In Half-Life, I didn't get the option to put a laser sight on my pistol or an optical sight on my rifle. I made do with what I had and was more than happy with it. I don't need tactical zoom scopes, I don't need six different kinds of ammunition. Just give me a gun and a crosshair in the middle of the screen and I'll be happy with it.
I'm sorry for this rant, man, and I'm also sorry I referred to you in the third person the entire time, but I felt someone needed to hear it. For the sake of buttlove, give me a whip and throwing knives, and send me out to kill Dracula. I don't need no fucking experience points.
Sincerely,
Dave
User Reviews
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2007-04-12 02:15:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Gaur: Okay, you accounted for yourself. I don't necessarily agree, but you're no longer working with contradictions.
Crayon: I agree. I think the reason people believe old games to be so much better is that old crappy games no one thinks about, while with new games we have to hear about both the good and bad, because they're all new and advertised and shit.
Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2007-04-12 01:50:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I think games like Halo and Socom are a hell of a lot different from Half-Life. When I need a change of pace from CS, I switch to Socom. When I get bored with Socom, I go to CS.
Or I just complain at the lack of time to play video games anymore. I filled a survey out that really drove the point home tonight. A year ago today, I played probably 20 hours of games a week, and currently I dont play at all. I MISS video games. Badly.
Submitted by GMCrayon (user info) at 2007-04-12 01:29:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
A decent rant, but I'm tired of the same old Maddoxesque "OMG MODERN GAMES SUK I RATHER PLAY WITH BRIGHTLY COLOURED DOTS AND LINES LOL!". Some new games suck, some rock your balls off... just like old games.
Submitted by garudave (user info) at 2007-04-12 01:17:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2007-04-12 00:37:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Garudave, look at your last two paragraphs. You complain about multiple non-visual innovations, such as complicated weaponry in shooters and experience points in RPGs, as though you dislike them because they get rid of whatever tried and true formula was in your old games. But you also complain that other new games are just "sequels" of old stuff without any changes. How exactly do you expect developers to change and add new things without getting rid of the classic old-fashioned mechanic you're customed to?
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My criticism is that new games don't try new things, only make minor changes to a game that I've played over and over again. I know this wasn't clearly stated, so I don't blame you for saying I'm contradicting myself...
Take for instance, the FPS genre. Basically, first-person-shooters haven't changed since Half-Life came out. Rather than trying to take the genre in new directions, current-gen shooters focus on adding in trite customization options and outstanding graphics. I come from a time and age where 12 weapons was a lot. Now games throw me thirty weapons, half of which have the same exact function, and also give me the option to throw on different sights. The way I see it, Wolf3D was the start of generation one, Quake was the second generation, and Half-Life began the third. We're still playing third-gen FPSs, after nearly ten years, and I want a fourth gen.
I think you get the idea, so I won't break down every single genre. In a nutshell, I feel that games just don't step out of bounds like they used to. Tried-and-true concepts are great, but they should eventually die. I think you got the wrong idea from my post... I'm not saying that I want developers to make games like the oldies, I'm saying that the oldies were far more revolutionary than today's games.
To say I've grown out of video games is actually quite ridiculous... I still do play those oldies, since the feeling of nostalgia I get from emulating the Genesis is pretty much orgasmic.
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2007-04-12 00:37:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Garudave, look at your last two paragraphs. You complain about multiple non-visual innovations, such as complicated weaponry in shooters and experience points in RPGs, as though you dislike them because they get rid of whatever tried and true formula was in your old games. But you also complain that other new games are just "sequels" of old stuff without any changes. How exactly do you expect developers to change and add new things without getting rid of the classic old-fashioned mechanic you're customed to?
Submitted by i_can_get_you_a_toe (user info) at 2007-04-11 17:58:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by NoMeD (user info) at 2007-04-11 16:39:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by drgoatcabin (user info) at 2007-04-11 09:42:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by DudeThatsBOSH (user info) at 2007-04-11 09:37:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
paperboy was a flippin AWESOME game
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I was hoping I wasn't the only one that loved Paperboy.
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I havent heard the words "paper boy" used the gamers context in years. *fade back into the mists of the past.*
Submitted by PerkMan (user info) at 2007-04-11 14:55:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
They chose graphics over content. Just like Movies chose CGI over fucking good plot lines. People wanna see a cool fake Dinosaur with no fucking plot at all. It's the nature of all things.
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-04-11 14:52:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Creepy_guy (user info) at 2007-04-11 04:06:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"Snake Rattle N' Roll" was the shit
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LMAO
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-04-11 14:51:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Franger (user info) at 2007-04-11 03:37:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-04-11 02:25:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
it's called growing up.
PLAY CS!
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CS = CockSuckers
Play a game that isn't a complete and utter shitpile
===
CS is the greatest game ever, after StarCraft.
Submitted by Lambchop (user info) at 2007-04-11 14:21:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm suprised Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Turtles In Time hasn't been mentioned yet.
Shame on you all.
Submitted by MidnightToSix (user info) at 2007-04-11 13:35:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I think the answer is once it gets to the boardroom, the suits are guaranteed to fuck it all up.
Submitted by garudave (user info) at 2007-04-11 13:34:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2007-04-11 02:57:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Now that I've read your post more thoroughly, here's a real responce.
First you complain that there aren't enough new ideas because it's all been done. But later on you're complaining about all the new things that have been added. Which side are you on?
People just seem to hate change because it's change.
And if nothing else, why not just retroactively play the games you used to like?
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The changes that are being made are in how games look, not how they play. I played Gears of War three or four years ago when Kill.Switch came out. I played Tekken 5 when the first Tekken came out. I played just about every stealth game when MGS1 came out, and that series has diminished since the first. Rather than inventing new ideas, developers work on concepts that already work, because they know they will be hits. Video games don't need more sequels.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2007-04-11 13:18:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Where art thou, Double Dragon?
Submitted by sideshow (user info) at 2007-04-11 13:12:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
video games are getting shittier....however, maybe it is just because the target audience is younger than we are and thus they focus on different things? I bet if they marketted all games to the 20 - 30 year old crowd they would be different in nature.
But hey, what can ya do?
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2007-04-11 13:09:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2007-04-10 23:57:48 PDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Now that I've read your post more thoroughly, here's a real responce.
First you complain that there aren't enough new ideas because it's all been done. But later on you're complaining about all the new things that have been added. Which side are you on?
People just seem to hate change because it's change.
And if nothing else, why not just retroactively play the games you used to like?
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that's what I do
Submitted by consuelo212 (user info) at 2007-04-11 12:14:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No, its true, video games actually do suck these days.
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2007-04-11 11:42:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
A game I play non stop is Sid Meirs Pirates.
Simple graphics, simple gameplay and youre a fucking PIRATE! What more could you want, yarrr.
Submitted by DirtyHarry (user info) at 2007-04-11 11:29:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What about the first Unreal Tournament? that was a fun game. One of the first multiplayer games I really got into.
Sorry, I meant to give you a 2 last time.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-04-11 11:23:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
And the best video game that I ever played (and still own) is Fester's Quest for the NES.
By best, I mean most difficult game EVER, of course. NO passwords, only ONE life, and when you die, you start over at the fucking BEGINNING of the game, empty-handed.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-04-11 11:21:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2007-04-11 07:17:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Auto +2 Dave.
-Dave
Submitted by Unabonger (user info) at 2007-04-11 11:06:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
this was a great post.
Submitted by mynameisandy (user info) at 2007-04-11 10:55:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I've been thinking this for a while now. The game industry is like any other.
Why make a good product, when you can make a product that sells (to morons)? It's all style over substance; graphics over gameplay; cutscenes over... not cutscenes.
I'd take Tetris, Fallout or Goldeneye over most of the shit that comes out these days.
Have you tried Loco Roco?
Submitted by DirtyHarry (user info) at 2007-04-11 10:46:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I havn't thought about Streets of Rage since I was probably in 9th grade.
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2007-04-11 10:41:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Fuck shaders, you guys took out the spider-demons. For that, you should be hanged.
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agreed, although I quite liked DOOM 3
Submitted by drgoatcabin (user info) at 2007-04-11 09:42:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by DudeThatsBOSH (user info) at 2007-04-11 09:37:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
paperboy was a flippin AWESOME game
------------------------------------
I was hoping I wasn't the only one that loved Paperboy.
Submitted by DudeThatsBOSH (user info) at 2007-04-11 09:37:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
paperboy was a flippin AWESOME game
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2007-04-11 07:49:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Download some emulators and the game ROMS.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2007-04-11 07:17:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Auto +2 Dave.
-Dave
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2007-04-11 07:17:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Battletoads, heh. It's called growing up and realizing that shit like that is why you didn't get laid earlier.
Submitted by GoOdAyNiCeDaY (user info) at 2007-04-11 06:57:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
So you want your video games to be new and innovative, yet you want them to be exactly like they were 10 years ago?
The truth is you've been growing up faster than game developers have been able to develop new ideas for games...
Video games have gotten a tiny bit better, but it's you that's changed the most.
Submitted by DonovanMD (user info) at 2007-04-11 06:34:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Videogames are just as fun as they ever were, I just cant spend the hours I used to playing them, life is busy sometimes. I mean when I was 13 I used to immerse msyelf in a game for weeks. Yeah ok, ok, I wasnt exactly a hit with the ladies until late into my teens...
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2007-04-11 06:24:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
things appear better in your memory the longer ago they happened, holocaust survivors have fond memories of concentration camps, video games have only gotten better, the fact that I don't play them anymore just comes down that I've grown out of them
Submitted by JustPassingBy (user info) at 2007-04-11 05:25:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Dude, best rant ever!
I couldn't agree more. I have a friend who works for Rockstar, and I'm always telling him to bring back some real fucking entertaiment. As of yet he hasn't listened.
And +2 for mentioning Halflife, my favourite game of all time!
Hardcore.
Submitted by ICO (user info) at 2007-04-11 04:42:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
(Gameplay > Graphics) = Wii
Submitted by particle_man58 (user info) at 2007-04-11 04:42:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Ya know, improved graphics is nothing new. Graphics have been improving ever since pong came out. With modern technology things have just been taken to a new level.
Personally I like a lot of the new games, but I also love the old games. I love Tetris, Contra, Mario Bros & Duck Hunt. I still have my Nes and my N64. I still own at 007 Goldeneye, play a deathmatch with me, I fucking dare you. I will pwn you into next year.
There are some really new and inventive games out there, you just have to find them. There's also some games that, while not completely original, are very good as well. Like Elder Scrolls IV, Galactic Civ II, Halo. They've even remade/ revamped the first Paper Mario from N64, and they're releasing it for Wii.
This a new age for gaming, some games are good others a crap. But it all depends on what you like.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2007-04-11 04:14:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Well golly, not a lot that you can say to all that is there? I personally feel differently about the new wave of 'next generation' games, but that's just a matter of opinion.
Perhaps you should simply look outside of the PC and Microsoft game markets. How do you feel about Guitar Hero? Probably hate it, which is fair enough, but those crazy Japanese have been churning out truly innovative games for a decade now. Perhaps now is the time to invest in an imported PS/2 and get some imported games.
Alternativly if you do have your heart set on the PC market you can look at indepandatly created 'shareware' games. As a Doom veteran you're no doubt well familiar with the concept. There's literally tonnes of stuff out there just waiting for you to discover it.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-04-11 04:13:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Personally, I think these new-fangled graphics are what turns me off. What separated my life from Doom was the piss-poor graphics.
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I SO hear you. Its not the same for me either..Appear to not be able find anything as good as the old Doom, Quake and TA.. and it gets boring playing them over and over..
Submitted by Creepy_guy (user info) at 2007-04-11 04:06:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"Snake Rattle N' Roll" was the shit
Submitted by Mike-Mc (user info) at 2007-04-11 04:01:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
RSV +2
Submitted by iddqd (user info) at 2007-04-11 03:53:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
go replay doom 1, but try doing the step down from nightmare difficulty with just the shotgun. its really friggin hard.
Submitted by Franger (user info) at 2007-04-11 03:37:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-04-11 02:25:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
it's called growing up.
PLAY CS!
---------------------
CS = CockSuckers
Play a game that isn't a complete and utter shitpile
Meanwhile I agree to the sentiment that the focus on graphics rather than gameplay is completely fucking the gaming industry
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2007-04-11 02:57:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Now that I've read your post more thoroughly, here's a real responce.
First you complain that there aren't enough new ideas because it's all been done. But later on you're complaining about all the new things that have been added. Which side are you on?
People just seem to hate change because it's change.
And if nothing else, why not just retroactively play the games you used to like?
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2007-04-11 02:55:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Blah blah blah blah blah I'm sad 'cause I don't pwn like dprime blah blah blah.
Submitted by kuroneko_sama (user info) at 2007-04-11 02:53:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i need me some bump n jump or burger time
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2007-04-11 02:25:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
it's called growing up.
PLAY CS!