miffy495

They're really not pandering to the college student budget, which (I believe) is still their core demographic. I sense some failures heading our way...

Why can't a game end this way? Why not have a story where dying is impossible until the script calls for it, but failure occurs in other ways? I'm not sure if it SHOULD be done, but there's nothing really stopping you. I really couldn't agree with Spakster more. My first thought when I read that bit about the Sims giving us the insights into the way our society functions was "Wow. This person is really good about bullshitting themself to give meaning to things that have none. My philosophy teacher would love him." This was pretty accurately, though perhaps less tactfully, summed up by "That's the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard." Not that you people looking at the Sims as you do is WRONG, but don't you think you may be reading just a little too much into these things? I doubt Will Wright ever said "I'm going to make a game that challenges the way people think about our modern society, but only if they look really, really hard for the message." It's far more likely his idea started with the phrase "Hey, y'know what'd be fun..." In short, if you apply that kind of thinking to every video game, then every video game is suddenly blessed with the deeper meaning you guys all seem to be striving for. For me, I'm perfectly happy just having fun.

Yeah, and Super Metroid had some damn freaky moments too. Beat any actual "horror" game I've played since. Well, OK, as lacking as the gameplay was, Doom III had the scary as well. I'd call it a tie.

I've been enjoying Nintendogs immensely. I don't know why, as I usually can't stand games of this type, but Sam, my miniature doberman, is bringing me all sorts of reactions that I've never had when playing a game before. The incredible sense of accomplishment when she finally had the courage to go over the moving ramp in the agility trial was huge. There's something about actually being able to pet the dog on the screen that triggers some primal response. Everything is just so much more REAL than any other sim I've played before. Highly recommended, and a very positive development.

Yeah. Why do we never hear about a big name developer trying to make us laugh? I'm not talking about the cruel super-villain laugh from a particularly gruesome round of GTA, but the real joyous outburst of mirth. It's all about the crying for EA (as they said) and their ilk. The other emotions, important as they may be, have been forsaken in pursuit of making a game that can bring a tear. Maybe tears aren't the answer to making games good. Why don't the big developers seek joy anymore?

Like I said, just like Sam and Max.

Nice article. Really, you're preaching to the choir here. The problem with articles like this is that only people who already play games and love them end up reading them. Good work, now get the people who need to read it to do so!

Yeah, no matter how good Dreamfall is, there are at least 6 games I am anticipating that are being released in the next 4 months. With school and work, it's really already too much. Thank you common sense for allowing me more time to actually live my life!

Ugh. Here comes the inner child stuff... Really though, is it so bad that the vast majority of games are vapid experiences? Games are, primarily, a source of entertainment. While social commentary and validity don't hurt the experience, it needs to be in a game where it's appropriate. If the commentary isn't fun and doesn't fit in with the game design, then why do we crave it so much? Katamari Damacy is regarded extremely highly around these forums, but really has no relevance whatsoever. It's just good fun. Gaming at its purest, you might say. I'm all for games that'll challenge the way you think, but that's a lot harder to do when you need to pull the player through the experience rather than simply letting them watch it happen to someone else. Let's not forget that games are supposed to be FUN. Everything else is just bonus.

Wow, and to think that I never did anything more than beat the story in any of the GTAs...

Hey, did you guys know that they max you out at 50 invites? That's how many I have. Anyone who wants, lemme know. I've got way more than I have any fucking clue what to do with. EDIT: When letting me know, preferably do it through a PM. Easier on everyone, right?

Mmmm... Animated series. Just like Sam and Max, but BETTER!

Yeah, OK. Co-op was fun. Unfortunately, the version I bought after never having seen the XBox one was PC. *sigh* When I finally did get around to playing the Co-op, I really enjoyed it, but that was more the teamwork and the fact that the guy I was playing it with was a childhood friend that I hadn't seen in years until that week. Good times, Bad game.

Where did you import from? Was it in english? French I could handle as well (go Canada!) but anything else would really confuse me on the menus. I'd probably figure it out anyway, but if the hassle could be avoided it'd be nice.

No, no they won't. Unfortunately, at the moment the mainstream gamer is still the frat boy, playing Halo while drunk. The game itself really doesn't matter right now, but saying "Look! It's slightly shinier!" will move product. I expect this to be milked for as long as possible, probably at LEAST halfway through the next generation before most people start to catch on.

Hey now, G.O.D. will always have a place and I'd hope that it's not too far-fetched that someone will step up soon to do what they did. There always needs to be someone to break ground. When I first heard of Geist, my mind immediately leapt to "Hmmm... First person 'Messiah.'" G.O.D. pioneered a lot of play mechanics that are being revived now, and once that stuff becomes more mainstream, the next G.O.D. will arrive to start anew. At least, I really really hope so...

Ahhh... Mojo. Happier times. Of course, I was 13 when I joined Mojo, so I was kind of a dick and tended to lurk more, but it was still a good forum. I haven't been to that site in forever. I think I have to go check in real quick now.

Hear hear! I've expressed similar emotions many times to the XBox fanboy friend that I have. They keep on telling me how the 360 is going to revolutionize gameplay (hey, if Time magazine says it, it MUST be true!). To this I respond: "No. It will be the same thing, only prettier. There's nothing wrong with that, but it isn't a goddamned revolution." I can't wait to see what Nintendo's got up their sleeve this time, but it better not dissappoint. The only failure I can remember is the Virtual Boy, and even then, I still go back and play my copy of Mario's Tennis (came bundled with the system, only game I could ever find for it...) now and then. Despite my love for gaming, I haven't been able to bring myself to care about the latest generation yet. All the 360 has going for it seem to be ports of PC games that'll STILL look better on a good computer, and the PS3 just seems to be continuing more series I care nothing about. Good rant, man. I tottally, yet heavy-heartedly agree.

Did he say that Pokemon thing? That's it, I gotta track that fucker down...

Ok, just got back from "The Aristocrats." That was the hardest I've laughed in so long. You need a filthy sense of humour to enjoy it, and if you're easily offended, steer clear. Even though it's just an hour and a half of people talking, it's easily the most obscene movie I've seen in my life. Holy shit is it funny though. I couldn't breathe for about half of the running time. SEE THE DAMN FILM!!!

Don't worry General, I still love you. Ok... kinda creepy... I'm leaving now.

Personally, I think Halo is a franchise WORTHY of being raped by Boll & friends. I'm so sick of Master Chief's artificial Bad-assery and the endless repetition of each level. By the time I beat Halo, I was ready to kill myself from boredom. I played through because buddy told me "Oh man, the end is fantastic! You gotta stick it out!" After all that, a resounding to the ending and a to the game.

That's it, people. LYYYYNCH MOB!! :( :(

Yeah, except for that f*cking lion boss. King Leo, I think was his name. He drove me up the wall.

Yeah, it's not a great movie by any means, but it is a lot of fun.