Chairman of the Bored
Stevie rallies the call for more Okami and less FIFA...
All three next-gen combatants have finally taken to the retail ring of doom (at least in North America), and each one has puffed its corporate chest and outlined its claim to exactly why it's the best choice for appeasing the needs of global gamers - while also repeatedly plunging the knife of cheap criticism between the ribs of its rivals.
Nintendo would have us believe its pure gaming Wii console is the future of gameplay, offering massively enhanced interaction and a completely new way to play through its motion-sensing Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers. As the most underpowered entrant, Nintendo also plays heavily on the financial value angle, the available launch numbers, and the emulation and backwards capacity of the Wii, not to mention its low-power consumption WiiConnect24 download service and the overall simplicity of the system.
Conversely, Sony's hard-line marketplace bravado is founded on well-oiled muscle and straightforward processing power, lauding the PlayStation 3 as an extension of the world's most popular gaming brand and as the most powerful next-gen option, while also pushing the motion-sensing innovation of its revamped Sixaxis controller. Sony is also keen to eclipse the high price point of the PlayStation 3 by implementing a completely free online multiplayer service, PSOne and PS2 backward compatibility, a hugely oomph-worthy Cell CPU, and cutting-edge onboard Blu-ray technology right out of the box.
Then there's Microsoft, which has been hanging around kicking arena dust and steadily selling Xbox 360s for the past twelve months while awaiting the eventual arrival of both Nintendo and Sony. A triple-core CPU, freestanding HD-DVD drive, middle price point, interchangeable 20GBs of memory, a blossoming Xbox Live Arcade and Video Marketplace, and respectable first year sales figures fast on the way to 10 million, all certainly show that Microsoft's first-to-retail advantage has helped carve a serious hardware contender.
But we've all heard the above details a million times before, we've heard the statistics, the pre-launch boasting, and the incessant backbiting for so long that it's hard not to become numb to the droning suits, their dazzling PR smiles, and their schoolboy mentality of kicking the chair legs out from beneath their peers. Yet, although the PlayStation 3 can seemingly levitate, fetch the paper, and process food as well as numbers; the Nintendo Wii can cross cultural and religious divides and bring warring nations to a state of gaming peace; and the Xbox 360 makes a thoroughly dependable doorstop, we, as consumers, are in danger of losing our vitally influential perspective as the next-gen battle rages and our usual consumer clarity is sullied by the resulting corporate gore.
And here's the thing: the current war of videogame progression shouldn't be fought on the basis of hardware, and it shouldn't be waged on the output of an internal processor, or the gimmick value of new-fangled control units. It should be contested on the strength of games and games alone. They're the ONLY element that truly matters, and they're the one area of our beloved pastime that are largely falling by the wayside as the console platforms themselves become the home's entertainment hub and offer consumers layered digital distraction through Blu-ray, HD-DVD, the PlayStation Store, the Virtual Console, and the Video Marketplace's digital distribution.
No one except the monumentally ignorant can fail to see that videogames are a huge business. Perhaps it's a bed of our own making in terms of gaming becoming such a significant strain of popular culture, but it seems eons ago that videogames looked as though they cost as much to develop as they did to buy. By comparison, today's industry has become a multi-billion dollar moneymaking machine, its games massive in both scope and budget, and its market-leading publishers devouring and integrating any independent developers brave enough to show aspiring ability. While the profit garnered from videogames continues to increase exponentially, the industry's belief in innovation investment appears to be all but gone, swallowed by high-risk elevated budgets and comfort zone releases that choose to rely on existing market demographics in favour of seeking new ground through originality. You remember originality don't you - the one truly invaluable facet of gaming that's all-too rapidly disappearing?
In a New York Times News Service article discussing the increased industry reliance on sequels to guarantee profit return, independent game developer American McGee claimed that: "The game industry is not interested in original ideas. We don't even waste our time pitching them." McGee, one of the original developers for the massively influential Doom and Quake games went on to say: "We've yet to go to a major publisher and have them say that they have slots for original titles."
Some liken this stifling of evolving imagination to that of Hollywood, which has struggled with its own sequel-heavy dependency for many years. But, unlike Hollywood, where low budget and independent films have experienced somewhat of a renaissance in recent times, videogames appear firmly shackled to the 'high-profile winner' mentality. To further this attitude, Jason Della Rocca, program director for the International Game Developers Association points out that: "The ecosystem of the game industry is broken. In the music industry you don't have to be Britney Spears to have a career. In Hollywood, big companies invest in smaller ones. But the game industry has not [yet] come to this realisation."
And, unfortunately, the sales figures for these (largely) dire high-profile releases only serve to showcase the inevitable arrival of yet more arduously bland gaming torture despite the technological leaps of the consoles that will host it. Established titles attract established audiences and that cuts down retail risk factor by a massive amount, something the bean counters look to secure a long time before even considering the possible inclusion of actual innovative gameplay in the final product.
If you in any way doubt that console videogames are devolving in creativity while videogame consoles are evolving in hype and performance, then you need only look to the most recent full-price game chart released by the ELSPA. Week 47's top-twenty chart contains no less than sixteen (16!) franchise titles. Of those sixteen titles, five are annual sporting extensions, three are based on toys and/or TV shows, and twelve are held by the world's top-five games publishers. The only remotely original games on the chart are Nintendogs (Nintendo), Gears of War (Microsoft), and Canis Canem Edit (Take 2), all pressed cloyingly by long-running series such as FIFA, Pro Evolution, Call of Duty, PGA Tour, Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario Bros., The Sims, and Need for Speed.
Comments
Of all the games mentioned here, Rayman Raving Rabbids is by far the most innovative, and yet it's called a rehash consumer product. Why?
Furthermore, Okami sold reasonably well, and it's developer was closed down for non-financial reasons, and Guitar Hero is absolutely massive.
This article hits a lot of excellent points, but could have done with better research in order to avoid false points.
Of all the games mentioned here, Rayman Raving Rabbids is by far the most innovative, and yet it's called a rehash consumer product. Why?
Furthermore, Okami sold reasonably well, and it's developer was closed down for non-financial reasons, and Guitar Hero is absolutely massive.
This article hits a lot of excellent points, but could have done with better research in order to avoid false points.
If Nintendo continues to provide kid friendly titles then I will buy one as soon as I can find one! Sony and XBox will never grace our homestead as long as they cater to a continually slipping sense of morality. As a teacher of middle school students, it is too easy to say that
There's nothing innovative about Rayman Raving Rabbids apart from its control sytem, which is directly related to the hardware. As a game it's merely an extension of an established franchise.
And by comparison with the likes of Gran Turismo, Pro Evolution, GTA, etc, Guitar Hero is far from massive.
There's a reason formula stories work. They touch basic needs and desires in people, and we do not get tired of them.
I get bored with monster movie formulas, but that is because I never enjoyed it in the first place. Likewise with sporting games. They bore me, but I know many many people who love them, and never get bored with them.
Formulas work.
Nintendo will definately gain alot of ground with their new system. Families want games that are age appropriate for their children. Alot of newer parents grew up on Nintendo, and love the games they make. Sony and Xbox titles have been on a huge moral downhill and families won't like that.
Wow this article writer sounds like they arent a gamer just someone trying to analyze the market. I mean theres massive news showering the Wii is bringing in the mature demographic, causing people to exercise, ease of use. Theres alot going for it but this person wants to downplay all the positive to focus on game titles NOT the Units... am I missing something here or should they get someone who reviews all the facts like Hardware issues that have been reported, compliments to the systems, price drops, etc.
Kinda feel this should be on the christian science news than a gamer site.
Raye you completely missed the point. The article is written from start to finish specifically to downplay (if not completely ignore) the hardware dazzle, and bring attention to actual content. The point is that even if the hardware is sexy, it needs decent software to be more than a paperweight.
PS3 vs XBox can be as simple as Blu-ray vs HD-DVD... this seems to get lost on the gamers..the man is right,the games are repeats,graphics are beautiful, sound is great, (HD LCD Screen, DD surround), a blast!But the older gamers also love to watch movies, and the Wii simply can not do it.. just another angle on the battle for the consules...
Okami, to my recollection, didn't sell poorly and cause clover to go out of business; the people behind clover left the studio, and as such there became no reason for it to exist apart from Capcom.
Calling Guitar Hero anything other than a runaway hit is foolish.
You've hit the nail on the head that simply making the next Splinter Cell game isn't enough, but it's more than consumer's choices that account for the drought of innovation. The way the industry does business is flawed: Success for a small studio equals absorption by a large publisher, so the founders can cash out and the employees can get added to the armies of mediocrity. Once investors that live outside of the traditional gaming ecosystem get involved, hopefully we'll see an alternative, like what happened with Pandemic and Bioware (bought by private equity, not by a publisher). Until then, developing original titles like Okami won't be worth it, since if you're small and you do it, the publisher takes your rights, and if you're a publisher, why bother, since a by-the-numbers sequel is less risk.
Jeez, who cares dude. Lighten up. All that matters is that the games are fun, not original. Go play Twilight Princess and tell me it wasn't kickass. This marketing hype for the new consloes isn't new. They've done the same exact thing with every generation and the titles are always less than great at system launch. Then, over time, as the system gets settled, better games show up. And then next generation we'll be seeing yet another article like this from someone else. They're just giving the people what they want, and the people want sequels to the games they love. I know I'll never grow tired of more Zelda's.
spore
Yet the point is early reviews said the Wii was nothing more than a paperweight. Some even said it looked like an external HD and in the early reviews people downplayed the remote as confusing and annoying. Now people have them, played it, the game releases like Zelda, Sports and WarioWorld have used the abilities of the remote decently with no real complaints. But everyone loved PS3 at pre released, loved the graphics and after US release over half are selling at inflated prices looking for money and profit over gameplay and those who did keep the units to play have had nothing but complaints and issues. The Articles point is nice and yes to the point but again its the same old hype of complain, complain...
But its like anythign else.. dont like it dont buy. Really simple and you dont need a full page article to get a simple thought across.
People didnt go crazy for Gamecube and Nintendo learned...
People enjoyed Xbox360 and now their are rumors of a price cuts coming, more content via online service,etc.
People liked PS2 and then Sony made a paperweight.
The companies are learning and are developing. The software makers like EA, Ubi, etc have already said they can thanks to the ease of the Wii make MORE original games for it compared to the PS3...
I mean this article is alittle too early to complain about the points your saying when if you look at the game sites Wii and PS3 arent releasing their main lineups for another good 3 months. Oh wait yes same as everytime a new unit comes out.
Sorry dress it up but this article really is rehash of old complaints and again whats the point.
Demand determines supply, and game developers are simply making the games that they believe will sell. Personally, I can play gears, splinter cell, madden, and a few others until more interesting games show up. If you don't like what's out there, make a statement by not buying it. Not by whining on the internet.
beyond good and evil or phantom crash = good original games that didn't sell well.
While EA continue to grace our consoles with poorly designed games or rehashes of last years game. That continue to sell millions.
The problem lies with the gamer... if anyone actually buys the new sonic, eragon, superman returns, just cause (how many bugs can one game have), family guy (yeah they made a game), etc
the cashier should have every right to shoot them and remove their existence from the human race...
"Jeez, who cares dude?"
"All that matters is that the games are fun, not original..."
"...people want sequels to the games they love."
"I'll never grow tired of more Zeldas."
And therein lies the problem.
Why should the Wii play movies? Do you not have three other devices that play DVDs by now?
All I have to say is that I completely agree. I enjoy gaming, I've been doing it since 5 years old. Now at 27 I have more apathy than ever toward games coming out regardless of system based purely on the fact that I've played 95% of them. They've just had different names.
Personally, I would love to see a new genre in gaming come out with some fresh thinking and innovation. I swear if I see another FPS come out I'll turn the gun on myself. How many times does it take of splattering alien brain before the genre gets boring beyond rediculous?
Gimme a good shot in the arm of something new and I'll love you for it. For the past year and a half, I haven't bought a single game.
as a girl gamer, i have a few thoughts to put in. i used to love gaming but as the writer had chillingly pointed out, games are increasingly becoming boring. which is true. i don't play action, sports or first shooter games which leaves me with little choices left. Final Fantasy used to be awesome, but lately it seemed as though its all for the $. Fatal Frame was awesome, then they had to rehashed it. Baiten Katos was a genius, then it was rehashed. i'm losing my faith in the gaming industry and am hoping that Wii will turn things around.
Grow up already. 69% of heads of households play video games!! Are you joking me?? How about raising your kids, getting involved with your community, being a model citizen instead or sitting on your arse, getting fat from the cheetos and coke and macdonalds. And then complaining that the games are boring, there's nothing else to do in my town, or I don't know how to make friends other than through a machine.
I played a few games for a while, about two years, loved Quake, Descent, a couple others, but life isn't about waiting around for new GAMES to come out. Look that word up in the dicionary sometime. Better yet, I'll tell you the first one: activity engaged in for diversion or amusement. Ask yourself this, why do I need to be so diverted and amused from a machine on a regular basis? Is it because I have squandered my life, I still live with my parents, or I'm too high, another diversion and waste of time?
I understand that is a massive generalization on my part, but how far off am I, and is it not just a matter of degree? How will playing video games make the world a better place?
Most people who read this will probably feel attacked. It's not personal, seriously, I don't know you, or your lifestyle, but I know quite a few people who spend a LOT of their time with these things. My point is that the generation that grew up with video games is extremely self involved and ego centric. It's unhealthy. What happens when you don't live up to yourself, can you sleep at night? Can you look people in the eye and really make contact with them, or do you need constant diversion and amusement?
Hey Bored,
I raise my kids, attend PTA meetings, volunteer fire fighter, work out, and work 9-5 for a living. When I'm done all that, I sit on my "arse" and play a game. Is it too much to ask that something new comes out so that I can enjoy my hobby?
Would a stamp collector be happy if all the stamps were basically copies of every other stamp? Would a model builder want to build the same model with different colors forever and ever. No, they would complain like every other person on this board has done.
The author hit the nail on the head. It's time for some new material.
Yes 69% play games. I'd rather use my brain in my off time than stare mindlessly at the schlock TV studios are putting out! I'm 32, have a career, great wife and 2 kids. When they go to bed I play - I don't play instead of participating in their lives. I know alot more gamers like myself than you may think. The article and current statistics support our point.
One point to add to the article: Because games are now $60 each, many gamers spend money on the ones that are safe bets. I'm no exception. When a game rocks though gamers will follow - Katamari Damacy is the perfect example. In fact, I'm gonna go and play it now!
Couldn't agree more with the sentiment of the article -- I too am stunned at the endless procession of clones, sequels and franchises that sell in large numbers to an indifferent public. As long as most games are in the hands of giant corporate publishers that care more about their stock price than the quality of their products, and as long as the masses continue to line up to buy the latest Madden and the latest FPS clone, I don't see this changing.
I see the solution to this mess as the same one that has brought innovation back into music and film: independent creators. There are a lot of indie developers doing innovative things out there, but you won't find their work on the shelves of the local superstore. As digital distribution channels become more common and accessible (through services like Steam and the XNA program), I think we'll start seeing more new ideas coming to light. You don't have to eat the same Big Macs, buy the same clothes and see the same hit movies everyone else does, and you don't have to play the same games everyone else is playing.
Hey, Bored, thanks for taking time away from your charity work with blind orphans and your search for that elusive AIDS cure in your basement lab to post here. But really, it is possible to play games and still have a meaningful, productive life. Lots of gamers have great jobs, families and friends they love, plenty of outside hobbies, are active in their communities, and yes, they also play games. It would seem to me that taking the time to publicly disparage an interest you don't share, and make silly generalizations about people you've never met, is rather more pathetic than enjoying a little Gears of War or Zelda on occasion. Cheers.
Dude Nintendo is doing exactly what you stated you want to see. The DS is filled with innovative games take a long careful look through the wide range of original DS games not just nintendogs they have many original takes on gaming. Trauma Center, Ecoplankton, Elite Beat Agents etc etc etc. And the stylus and 2 screen mode is also original in terms of game control (like Guitar Hero 2).
They are now extending this original approach to the wii. Which will see many of these original DS games developed for the wii. Nintendo wants to attract gamers from 4 to 100. With a wide variety of different games for all ages and they certainly will be trying games like Guitar Hero 2 and Okami precisely because of the new controller approach - both those games fit in with what they are doing.
Support Nintendo which is taking the ideas behind DS, Okami, Guitar Hero 2 into the next step with their work on the wii. The PS3 and 360 are the ones who are offering more of the same in all ways.