Slashdot Mirror
Do Consumers Want Original Games?
Thanks to GameCritics.com for their 'Critical Hit' editorial discussing if consumers are actually interested in buying groundbreaking/unique videogames. Giving the example of Sega's PS2/DC shooter, Rez, the author asks: "United Game Artists' answer to the cries of gamers looking for those new and original games was largely met with ambivalence by those very same gamers.... Why is Sega, or any publisher for that matter, obligated to support a game or games that no one is interested in?" The article concludes: "...how do you criticize the industry when it produces these games yet consumers repeatedly flock to the likes of Square's, Konami's and Capcom's sequels and rehashes?"
BS! You may have played the game til the end, but you missed the point entirely.
LOL. I managed to play the game and get the hardest ending... yet I missed the point entirely? Erm, no.
And then, having the music (and, to a lesser degree, the vibration) tied into the visuals, all of which are hooked up to a feedback loop through you, the player...
And how on earth does the music tie up to the visuals? The only way it changes is when you shoot those square blocks - the background changes and the music speeds up a bit. How does that tie in with anything?
well, it all adds up to what they call it: synestaesia. If you haven't experienced this while playing Rez, then you haven't experienced the game at all.
Oh good God. Please, that is such bullshit.
Anyway, it's the totally ignorant view of the majority that Rez is "just another rail shooter" and that there's "nothing special" about it.
At what point did I say that it was nothing special? Though that doesn't stop it merely being an on-rails shooter, no matter how good it is.
If that's all you want to put into it, that's all you're going to get out of it. If you're open to it, it can be an experience like no other game you've played.
Eh? I have already said that I think it is a great game, so what are babbling on about?
If not, go back to playing Tux Racer or whatever it is that you consider original and STFU!
Ah, I see. You are just a child who is stamping her feet in a tantrum.
I put my books on Amazon, Smashwords, Demonoid, ISOHunt and Pirate Bay. Search for 'Michael Cargill'
Right, because the point to a game is always beating it. I'm sure you're the Rez Master, pal.
Everything in this game is tied to the music- that's one of the main concepts of the game. Every moving element in the environment has rhythms and patterns associated with it, both aurally and visually. For instance, each enemy class has unique sounds for each of their actions (such as shooting, approaching, evading, death) and the player has unique sounds depending on form (exp. level, basically). The enemies appear in sets that correspond with an overall rhythm that fits in with the rest of the environment. There is no music in this game- the "music" is just the multiplexed stream of sounds generated by the actions of elements in the game (including the player) and a simple ambient background track. If you play the game such that you are in sync with the beat of the level, and with the overall harmony of the area you are in, your actions will produce much more pleasant music. If you just shoot everything you see like you were playing Space Harrier, you get a collection of beeps and boops each time you hit X. But you can still beat the game that way, so what's the point, right?
Or unmitigated ignorance on your part, whichever makes you feel better.
Perhaps not in so many words, but you'll forgive me if I interpreted "it isn't original at all" or "It's a very basic game" as being roughly equivalent to "nothing special". Or "[it's] merely
I'm "babbling on" about the point of this entire discussion. Most people are like you- they play games, they beat them, they see no further value. This is why games are completely uncreative and why producers keep churning out sequels: it's all people care about. Anything above and beyond that is lost on the unappreciative masses.
Or, I'm just stomping my feet in a tantrum, whatever. We can have a little flame war if you really want, but I've played this game and I feel there's more to it than you're giving it credit for. You're not about to change my mind on this- I was only offering a differing opinion in case there are others out there who aren't so close-minded as you.
Nothing to see here.