Happy with next-gen?
- Scribbled on August 31st, 2007 by ChunkyMonkey
- Filed in Editorial Content, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Off Topic, Sony PlayStation 3
It has been nearly two years since the first of the next-generation consoles came out. All of them lured us in with promises of blazing speed, luscious graphics, new layers of immersion and of course more enjoyment for the gamer. So, it’s only fair to ask, “Are we happy with next gen?” At its core, are we really enjoying the video games experience more now than before?
The tone of next-gen gamers are largely muted about this topic. Sure, we always had the ocassional shining testaments to next gen magic bestowed from the more talented game shops onces in a while. Games like Gears of War and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess were all very well and good but it left us wanting more. Observing responses about this question around the interwebz lately, I’ve come to a rather shocking conclusion - most gamers are bored. Not bored because there are no titles to play but because there’s a million games like the ones they’ve played before.
For the older gamers out there, we know how enjoyable the good ole’ days were. So, it’s no wonder that retro-gaming has risen in popularity over the last few years as well. Personally, Sonic the Hedgehog was much more enjoyable to this writer when he was in 2D and when he couldn’t speak. Not to mention Mario and friends, platform games like Maximum Carnage on the Sega Genesis… God, how I miss those days!
What do you think? Have modern video games lost their heart and soul? Would like to hear some feedback on this.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:38 pm
When you look at them strictly as game machines (forgetting Bluray, marketplace, et al ) it really seems that the Wii is the only bit of innovation this round.
The 360 and the PS3 are basically more of the same, in HD. Everything just looks prettier and costs more.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Back in the day developers were floundering in completely uncharted territory. Everyone was doing something new because no one knew what to do yet. There wasn’t much money involved so people were happy to screw around and try something completely original.
These days an A title requires years of effort and millions of dollars - of course there’s going to be less originality. Investors want to toss cash at a safe return, not some new idea that could flounder and sink with nary a wripple marring the industry’s surface.
We luck few who can recall with fondness the hyperventilating to get a Nintendo rental to work or who gladly show scars from the controller’s edges digging into our hands lived through amazing times in gaming. We saw the birth of a medium and we carried through its revolution. Now we sit as sentinals over a steady evolution that brings welcome but foresable changes to our beloved medium.
To answer your question, though, the heart and soul of games still exist but you need to look in the right places. We’re not looking at a steady diet of interactive filet mignon anymore - these days we have to be intelligent consumers. Which sold better, Darwinia or the latest C&C game? Which was a more unique and interesting experience?
August 31st, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Huh, two Toms posting within a minute of each other. Don’t see that everyday.
Oh, and excuse the mixed metaphors in the above post