PC Games

I find today's generation of PC games very boring. Have I grown out of them or is there a serious lack of innovation which will eventually lead to extinction?

I think the industry has lost sight of what is important, gameplay. There is a distinct lack of innovation and mass recycling of ideas.

Oblivion had a nice graphics boost from Morrowind but the gameplay remained largely the same. Then came Fallout 3 which is yet again more of the same but with the new combat system added. Not really that exciting. I got bored of that game in less than a week.

Am I the only one who thinks this or do you think the gaming industry needs to shape up?

 

well, of couse it gets harder to consistently come up with new gameplay ideas. still, i think developers are doing their best. look at games like Portal, Assassin's Creed or Mirror's Edge for example. they all introduced some pretty cool new features to gaming.

 

I'll take a look into Assassin's Creed.

However, most companies that recycle ideas dont bother to improve gameplay, such as the examples I have given.

 

Do you think the games released for consoles are any better?

There's a trend nowadays for developers to make versions for both PCs and consoles, however catering to both worlds risks alienating everyone by keeping the same formulas which have worked in the past to ensure sales.

 

Im finding some people who complain quite abit about this and sometimes I think maybe its because they are tired of gaming but they dont know it. Not too long ago someone was complaining about EVERY game out there. Not trying to be harsh here but have you ever considered giving up gaming?

 

I agree totally on this. Don't just complain that there are no good games because you have gotten tired of them all. Take a look at Mirror's Edge, that game is extremely innovative and different.

 

I think the main factor that has led to a downgrade in gameplay is graphics. Games these days utilise increasingly complex and advanced graphics that is pretty much taking up far too much time. As a result, gameplay, music, and storyline in computer games suffer. Of course, there are still a few excellent game companies out there that develop quality games, but none of which, in my opinion, can match the brilliance (story, gameplay, music, and 2D sprite graphics) that was Final Fantasy 6.

 

Yes. Nintendo is an excellent example, by creating an entirely unique and fun way to interact with the game.

I am not bored of gaming. You misunderstand, this is a discussion thread about the direction of future PC gaming, not a complaint.

I agree with you. And I don't understand why people are so crazy about graphics when the gameplay does not match up.

I still find Final Fantasy VII one of the best games I have ever played. Hopefully, the next Final Fantasy will be available on PC too.

 

I think that's actually VERY far off. Games these days have SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much in them in regaurds to gameplay compared to older games that people these days look back on and think of as better.

If you actually go back and play those games of many years ago, you'll find that they're extremely simplistic. Take mario for example, it was really fun, but there's only like 3 things you could do, and in the old old ones you could only move and jump. Super mario added alot more, but still had very little different things you could do, but people never complained because that's all that was there.

And lets look at FarCry2, that game is massive, you can do alot in it, and take various approaches to things, like stealth, run & gun with heavy MG's, blow everything up, or catch people on fire in a huge graphical 3D world with jungles, savahnnas, deserts etc. But alot of people didn't like it, and those same people would say the the first DOOM was oh so epic, and still is.

There are some genres of games that have gottent worse over time though, and some that have gotten better. I think definately FPS games have gotten better, racing games have gotten to the point of near realism, but other genres, like RPG games are getting worse now that everyone is impatient and is forcing RPG's to shift to real time, I loved the old ones that broke into a battle screen and gave you time to choose your actions and think about what to do, rather than just press one button, let your thing attack, then heal later and move on.

RTS games, older ones were all about resorce mining, basebuilding, unit management and managing multiple resources while defending what your working on, and trying to take out the enemy, or going towards an objective while fending off an enemy. Todays ones are about taking a pre set number of units, and clicking where you want them to go, then waiting while they attack and you do nothing but watch, then completing the goal that you cannot fail because you really aren't doing anything. Exciting.

I think the only real issue here is that todays games are trying too much. Before there was a distinct difference between one genre and another. Now most games are trying to do everything, which is making fans of each particular genre angry. Like fallout 3, it doesn't really feel much like an RPG like oblivion did, there isn't much to it, it FEELS like an FPS, but as an FPS, it's gunplay is too based on ranking, skills, and weapon stats. So instead of pleasing both crowds like they had hoped, they've created a niche that not everyone will like.

 

All we need is 4d games to bring a new revolution.

 

Well, there is the interactivity of the Wii that does make the games unique. However, if you 've played a Wii game and then played the same game on a different platform such as another console or PC you'll realise just how simplistic or, for a lack of a better term, dumbed down the Wii version is. So while fun I do not think the Wii is better than other platforms.

 

I kinda pushed gaming away for a good year cuz i was bored. I've started to play again and it is fun again.

 

If you're talking about the Wii, DS and the high-profile games which involve swinging the control, they're not the majority of games which now make up the Wii and DS gaming rosters. They are unique but the idea gets old fast just like every other novelty.

Games like World of Goo, Gish and Psychonauts disprove your claim that the PC gaming scene is heading towards oblivion with its focus on eyecandy. For a vast majority of PC gamers many of our favourite gamers are games we enjoy playing on our non-1337 machines and a big reason behind that would be gameplay.

 

The problem is, like most other forms of media, once someone creates a successful formula, everyone follows suit. There are lots of gems out there, and time only will tell the truly great games.

There are probably only a few dozen games that can be considered "classics", and released in the same time frame were dozens if not hundreds of similar kinds of games. But you forget about those similar games, and the truly unique ones stand out.

I'm talking about games like Tie Fighter, Starcraft, Deus Ex, Riddick Butcher Bay, Descent 1&2, Battlefield series (1942, BF2, BF2142), Doom, Command and Conquer. Even these used similar premises as other games but they either spent the time to make them "fun" or got lucky.

But I do agree. I don't get as excited about gaming releases any more. Maybe because I'm becoming an old codger or game companies have become too big to really care. The last few games that I was really excited about and wasn't disappointed were BioShock, Call of Duty 4, and Company of Heroes. Everything else was fun, but just not that exciting or different.

 

What is a 4D game??

 

im guessing virtual reality?

 

I heard a company is making a new 'controller' for games which is a sensor that detects brain waves. Basically, mind controlled games, wouldn't that be cool. I wonder how they are going to do that... it sounds pretty complicated.

Well, when it comes out it will definately be something worth looking at.

 

I'm pretty sure at this point in time that is illegal. Intercepting peoples brain waves doesnt exactly sound legal to me.

 

Eh, every 'generation' of games has some people calling it the demise of creativity. Not much has changed from time to time.

The only thing I dislike now is that console->PC ports are really horrible (almost always). I much prefer the PC way of playing, and consolizing the PC game messes with everything.

 

I guess it is with some device you put yourself and measures which areas of the brain are working while you do something not some kind of alien ranged device that you can aim at anyone and know what they are thinking about lol xD

 

Sorry - but your post is all kinds of wrong m8tey

Firstly Oblivion, Morrowind and Fallout 3 are nothing like each other. True they are all free-form 1st/3rd person RPGS made by Bethesda but they each play,feel differently e.g. i though Oblivion was a bit too much "vanilla" and has much less character than Morrowind and F3. Secondly my own personal opinion is that Morrowind and Fallout 3 are excellent games, especially Morrowind, that had a unique character all its own, brilliant game! (if there was a gaming award for in-game structures architecture it should win it!)

Thirdly, you need to look less at the major publishing houses for what the standard is in pc gaming. Theres plenty out there from lesser known developers/publishers.

Personally i think you have "gaming fatigue" Get outside, take a breath of fresh air, take up another hobby.

 

If your talking about the OCZ nia, it's been out for awhile. They have a second version coming out soon that's wireless and has accelerometers for added functionality.

I've played CS:S a few weeks ago with someone who said they just got one. They kept shooting at walls and walking in weird directions, but I think the person failed to actually set the thing up right, or do any calibration. But anyhow, it can't control mouse movement, it's for mapping to certain keyboard keys and what not. Not exactly sure how it works as I don't own one, but it does work. Although I don't think it's a good idea because it would lack the precision and speed that you have with your hands. Also, is this where we want to be headed? Towards gaming with zero movement involved? If you think anti-gaming activists are riled up now, just wait til everyone is basically a bunch of zombies while playing games.

 

i agree with unknown555525 ........ !!!!!

i mean look at COD series and Crysis ..... totaly different gameplay, where COD gets you into real life WAR experience Crysis is all Futuristic .... and i guess every one here have enjoyed these games .... well i have

 

Oblivion is a terrible game to begin with.

 

My problem is I feel I'm missing my preference - I've always loved the turn based games, both for strategy (civilization series - I still play Civ IV Beyond the Sword and really enjoy it), tactical (XCOM series) and in RPG styles (anything turn based...). I really dislike the RTS and first-person shooters; but that's currently the popular thing, so that's what's on the shelves.... I actually wish there were fewer real-time games, and more turn based ones...

Still, I understand that the gaming companies make games for money, so they have to produce the games that the majority wants to see - which seem to be RTS and first-person shooters these days. It'll be interesting to see where they go from here.

I'd love to see a revamped version of some of the older turn-based games; so in that I'm sort of against what the OP said - I'd love to see some companies rehash ideas with more modern technology or equipment, as long as they rehashed the old favorites I liked... (I'd love to see a no-kidding turn-based XCOM replacement, for example. And, yes, I've got Afterlight, but it's just not the same for me...)

 

Already done, there have been games that manipulate time (e.g. Ocarina of time, Dark Cloud 2, etc)

 

unknown55525, you are very correct, in fact have some rep

Sacrilege!

 

Mind control huh. I fear all my gaming experiences would inevitably end up in the gutter...

 

Then what are the differences in a gameplay point of view? Personally, I think the difference between Oblivion and Fallout 3 is the VATS system. Morrowind is the same but improved graphics. To me this is a recycled game with new graphics. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this.

 

Oh don't worry, I don't give negative ratings without reasons; my main complaint is how Obilivion screams "I'm generic, cliche, and unoriginal!"

- Oblivion's storyline is one big cliche with the typical "low-life character in prison rises to become a hero in weapons and magic by saving the world as a result of destiny." This storyline is so stale and reused that there is little excuse for using it, even as other developers are coming up with stories they can truly call their *own*.

- The combat system is extremely boring... hit/block/hit/block... bows and arrows are also very ineffective and largely useless throughout the game. In other words, the gameplay mechanics are incredibly boring due to their repetition.

- The character development system is flexible; so much so, in fact, that the lines between classes don't exist. It becomes redundant.

- Everyone has been praising the NPCs in Oblivion; this is a huge overhype. The NPCs scream of cheapness because they're all randomly generated (their faces and names, at least) with poor voice-acting and even poorer facial expressions.

- The quests reflect the generic and cliche nature of the main storyline as well.

 

Bingo, you hit the nail on the head! I totally agree with you on this one.

 

Yeah, OCZ is making one, and I think another company was making one too. Precision and accuracy can only improve over time, imagine how cool the perfected product would be!

Using a physical controller doesn't require much movement anyway so I don't see much difference in the calories burned perspective. Plus your hands would be free to have a drink or have a chat on the phone, lol.

Generally, I don't agree with your opinion on speed though. Information is processed in your brain and travel through your nervous system and into your hands. The sensor should be much faster, they would probably have to limit it. Perhaps you are right, in the first generations they may be slower.

Imagine playing something like streetfighter, would be well good, wouldn't need to remember any combinations, just think it!

 

I agree with this. Good post.

 

I'm glad that some people agree with me on this one. I thought I was alone!

 

I managed to play Assassin's Creed, as suggested by someone's post. It is fun jumping and climbing on the buildings, kind of refreshing. I feel like spiderman on the lookout towers.

It's a good game. However, if Assassin's Creed 2 is the same but with improved graphics then it would be a recycled game and I would get bored of it. It would be like an expansion pack rather than a new game, if you know what I mean.

 

Do you find movies boring as well? Just a curious stab at a link to the industry gaming is taking over.

 

1 out of what, a thousand games that are released yearly is hardly what I call innovative !

 

Innovative ideas are not a dime a dozen, so to speak. They're unsurprisingly rare.

 

Firstly, I think it is entirely different to compare gaming with films. Although the latter can be software engineered, it has no element of gameplay, rather any critcism is related to the directing (since it's the director's vision).

While we are on the topic anyway, here is what I think.

In my opinion, I think most films produced by Hollywood are a load of rubbish. The most annoying thing is when they literally put all the good scenes into the trailer, to lure the customers, and the rest turn out to be rubbish. Anyone else get this feeling?

It pains me to see them destroy a perfectly good idea with poor directing. For example, Streetfighter was a great idea, but they managed to make it stink.

It's not all bad, there are at least a few good films every year.

 

I agree, dude.

Sorry to disagree with you. I think the main reason for the lack of innovation is because game developers, like any other business, will sell the same ideas to their fans until they lose interest. It's exploitation but it is a business stratergy that has gone on for years and has become a little too obvious these days.

 

I agree with you to a certain extent, I just think that even the best developers have their ups and downs.

 

We need to bring back the days of Starcraft, Counter Strike, and Diablo.

Counter Strike came out during the days of Quake. A game that did away with the rocket launcher and popularized a slow(well compared to quake) paced FPS game.

Starcraft came out during the days when RTS games had two sides with homogenous units, with similiar or the same tactics. Three sides with completely unique units and tactics. There are still very very few RTS games that can say they have three truly unique races.

Diablo came out during a time when RPG games were still turn based or just updated dice rolling games. Reflexes were just as important as character levels.


I think games these days put far far too much emphasis on graphics and far far far too little on gameplay. I'd take a game with 5 year old graphics but a ground shaking gameplay and infinite replayability over a half finished overpriced game that is just a graphic makeover of a game I already have.

 

You, my friend, spoken like a true aged gamer. I agree 100% +1 Rep.

I like nice looking graphics, don't get me wrong, but introduce awesome gameplay the crappy graphics can be easily overlooked. Starcraft is still played today for this very reason. I still play Falcon 4 for this reason.

I am impressed with games like Crysis and Warhead, and actually enjoyed both games very much. But they were still more or less your average shooter that looked really good.

 

Diablo is a watered-downed RPG !

Good game, but far from what I and many others consider a true RPG.

Diablo classification: Hack N' Slash !

 

Most developers are making cookie-cutter games that at some point , start to look and feel the same.

1. Fast paced
2. Limited story
3. No reading..........takes away from fast pace
4. How fast you can mash the buttons vs. thinking an objective through
5. Eye-candy,Eye-candy,Eye-candy !
6. and Bling-Bling !

I'd much rather play a good game with so-so graphics, than a "Pretty" game !

BTW, not sure about others but, I can always tell when I'm playing a port from console !

And looking forward to Dragon Age: Origins from Bioware. A sort of return to their PC gaming roots................it's about time !

http://dragonage.bioware.com/agegate.html?ref=/

 

That's what made Diablo so groundbreaking. There weren't any hack n slashes as far as I know. All other rpgs were turn based.

 

Talking about ups and downs, what do you think about Fable? It's a good game, but why does the character age so fast? I don't like being an old man.

 

lol... Me, either, but it beats the alternative....


Oh, you meant in the game....

 

That was the reason I tried to compare the two (even though I know they aren't the same). I'm sure alot of people would say the same about games. Only so many good ideas/execution combos to go around right?

 

That is not quite my point. Directors try to make a good film as it is their passion and want to leave their work in history. They will therefore not want to recycle ideas and keep it as original as possible, that is the director's pride. The game industry will recycle ideas on purpose to make more money. I therefore not see them as the same.