The Fall Of The Modern Gaming Era

[dropCGCF]

Dare I say it? Gaming has experienced a steady decline in many factors. fun, replay value, originality, simplicity.

When the NES first came out, it had four buttons and a D-pad. Dare I say we have gone light-years backwards in our progress?

Game companies are becoming completely uncouth in their assessment of the modern gaming community. Modern gamers want simplicity more than anything else.

My most precious gaming memories include playing the original Mario Party with my parents and sister. These memories could likely not have been created with the advent of "gyroscopic" control devices, or with fancy and confusing button layouts. Instead, most minigames involved at most three buttons to complete the game.

I am choosing not to buy any of the next-gen consoles because Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have each lost focus of the original point of gaming; making it so everyone can play their games.

I will not buy a DS, PSP, or Gizmondo because GBA games got too involving for me. I have enough things to remember as it is.

Cell phone makers get it. Downloadable games that require little to no learning curve are enjoyed by all.

So here's my big finger, corporations. You will receive no money from me on your "revolutionary" technology. I'll be too busy with my Colecovision.

[Crash]

amen brotha... super monkey ball rox the casba!

other games that rock with simplicity


Tetris
Dr. Mario
Pilot Wings
Pong
PacMan

[Jonbo298]

Super Monkey Ball is an awesome game.

[GameMaster]

I play Pokémon Puzzle League almost everyday. And I love Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. Smash Bros. is a great modern game though. I don't think that game can be ruined but I guess I'll have to wait and see what the next controller is like before I cast my assumption in stone.

[Dyne]

Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG are the only RPGs I truly enjoyed and finished 100%. Starting from FF7, RPGs became crap to me.

Fire Emblem rekindled my love somewhat.

[Typhoid]

Chrono Trigger...I love Chrono Trigger.

Mario RPG is awesome to. I almost shat myself when I saw it at a garage sale for 5 bucks.

I like FFX. I could play it non-stop. One time, I played it for about 16 hours straight.


I love RPG's. In moderation. Too much of an RPG can kill the whole experience for you.

[Fox 6]

KoToR was pretty good in my books. Though the second one was lacking somthing special.

[DeathsHand]

nostalgia nostalgia nostalgia...

In 5-10 years, kids who are young today will look back and remember the good ol days...

The first time their friend Timmy shot a hooker in the head after they got busy in a dark alley in GTA...

The first time they played Halo 2 on Xbox live back before online console gaming was fully embraced and became... "Better"... :rolleyes:

And remember the good old days when a simple 8 button, 2 analog stick, 1 D-pad controller layout was enough to play your favorite game, back before Nintendo threw their 2 joystick 20 button, 5 touch screen controllers into the mix......

I don't chalk it up to the gaming industry declining or think that simple is always better... When I go back and play old NES and SNES classics, I enjoy them about as much as I enjoy playing recent classics (FF7, OoT) or soon to be classics (GTA, RE4), the only difference is you get the added boost of it being a "walk down memory lane"...

Although for me most of the time that walk down memory lane is made up of "I remember when I sucked at this game"

When Hot Topic starts selling cool classic "Vintage" NES T-shirts, I think that really says something...

[KillerGremlin]

Oddly enough, my favorite video game right now is Counter-Strike. You can argue that Counter-Strike is a super simple game, because it does have a lot of repetition, but I know for a fact that there is an endless amount of depth in the game.

I don't think simple is always better per se, but I guess it depends on the gamer. I mean, Mario is not a simple game. Super Mario Bros. is a pretty damn complex game....I mean, all the Mario games, minus the franchise titles and Mario Sunshine, have been revolutionary.

The problem is time. But then, that's why you really don't need to buy every video game that comes out. I have yet to pick up RE4, and considering that I still have to beat Metroid Prime 2, The Minish Cap, AND play Counter-Strike, I doubt I will ever buy it.

I think I'd kill myself if the only games at my disposal where simple arcade games though. I mean, as lengthy as games like Ocarina Of Time and Halo are, they are TOTALLY worth playing through.

The industry needs more of a medium. Think Pikmin. A simple concept with incredible depth and excellent gameplay. Pikmin was a gem.

[dropCGCF]

Game companies are all too restricted by licences nowadays. Everyone plays Madden because of it's "realism". I always played Blitz because it was simple.

Games were creative back when. Now everyone thinks by using the Apocalypse engine, they can make a "new" Tony Hawk. Two were enough.

Hasn't anyone noticed that the DC failed? They tried too many things at one time. Sure, the idea of a VMU was great, but most Americans don't have spare time to raise a Chao.

Gamers are going to get fed up and stop buying games. I had to decide for a long time whether or not I wanted Halo 2. And I was shockingly dissapointed by the ending.

Games like DDR are widely popular around the world because they can be understood in any language, and their settings can be made so easy that children can play them right. Donkey Konga hits it. My sister can play it and win on easy levels, and I play the hard ones. Everyone's happy. Nintendo gets more money.

[Vampyr]

I too miss the days of simple gaming when I could buy a game, take it home, and actually be excited and dying to put it in my system so I could play.

But now things have gotten too complicated. I have to LEARN to play the game before I can actually get into it, and it ruins the experiance for me. I don't look forward to learning it. I wish, just for one more time, I could be shivering with excitement when I buy a new game.

[Batman]

I’m going to have to disagree on that statement. True, games have become more complex, but is really a bad thing? I remember playing Skate or Die. I played that game to death. But if I picked it up today, don’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did back then. Sure, it would bring back some good memories, but that’s about it. And that goes for almost all the games I played when I was younger. I could sit here and tell you all the games that I used to love, but if a game was released today with the same concept and graphics that was used back then, I don’t think I would pick it up.

Imagine if nothing in the entertainment world progressed. We would still be watching black and white TV, tap dancing (with musicals) in movies, listening to Patty Duke on the radio. LOL, you guys are starting to sound like old people. I remember when games weren’t so complex; we had to go to the store and pick up our games at the store, walking in 3 feet of snow, up hills, both ways. We didn’t have this internet thing. Ungrateful kids.” LOL Sorry got side tracked there.

I enjoy the realism in Madden. I can’t stand when I play somebody when all they do is roll out of the pocket, wait a few seconds and bomb it down field. Then can’t understand why they only complete 10% of their passes. Tony Hawk is awesome, getting to actually see the tricks you do in 3D. How can you complain about that? Same concept goes with FPS shooters. We wouldn’t have them. How boring would it be if all you were able to do is shoot and open doors? Sure it was great back in the day, but if the video game industry never progressed, it would have died out during the NES days. I still play the original Doom today. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want Halo on my TV.

What can you do with two buttons? Kirby Air Ride, Tetris, DDR, SMB, The Sims. I can’t even really put DDR in that category, why because that game isn’t fun if you just use your D-pad… you have to pull out the Dance Pad to get the full experience on it. I plan on getting that new one for my Daughter. You know the one with Mario in it. I love video games, and I can see my daughter having a lot of fun with it, so it’s a perfect match.

I’m not saying that they should abandon simple video games all together. They are need out there, for the casual gamer. Something that somebody can pick up real easy and still be able to play for a couple hours. But to state that it’s “The Fall of the Modern Gaming Era” is a little harsh. Everything has to progress, or it will just phase itself out. Look at any business that has started but never progressed, they just aren’t around anymore. So what I’m saying in the short, none boring statement. Is that games are so popular today because of all the advancements that have been achieved. It was need to add more buttons.

[dropCGCF]

I’m going to have to disagree on that statement. True, games have become more complex, but is really a bad thing? I remember playing Skate or Die. I played that game to death. But if I picked it up today, don’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did back then. Sure, it would bring back some good memories, but that’s about it. And that goes for almost all the games I played when I was younger. I could sit here and tell you all the games that I used to love, but if a game was released today with the same concept and graphics that was used back then, I don’t think I would pick it up. I would.

Imagine if nothing in the entertainment world progressed. We would still be watching black and white TV, tap dancing (with musicals) in movies, listening to Patty Duke on the radio. LOL, you guys are starting to sound like old people. I remember when games weren’t so complex; we had to go to the store and pick up our games at the store, walking in 3 feet of snow, up hills, both ways. We didn’t have this internet thing. Ungrateful kids.” LOL Sorry got side tracked there.

I'm not saying to impede progress, what I'm saying is that developers are losing sight of incorporating technology into a game that isn't the same thing I played two years ago.

I enjoy the realism in Madden. I can’t stand when I play somebody when all they do is roll out of the pocket, wait a few seconds and bomb it down field. Then can’t understand why they only complete 10% of their passes. Tony Hawk is awesome, getting to actually see the tricks you do in 3D. How can you complain about that? Same concept goes with FPS shooters. We wouldn’t have them. How boring would it be if all you were able to do is shoot and open doors? Sure it was great back in the day, but if the video game industry never progressed, it would have died out during the NES days. I still play the original Doom today. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want Halo on my TV.

So you're telling me that you hate impossibility in football games, but pulling off a 27-trick combo is an everyday occurence in the skateboarding world? And sure, fancy graphics are nice, but with realism, as Maddox said, "who wants to play 'Virtual Scavenger Hunt'?"

What can you do with two buttons? Kirby Air Ride, Tetris, DDR, SMB, The Sims. I can’t even really put DDR in that category, why because that game isn’t fun if you just use your D-pad… you have to pull out the Dance Pad to get the full experience on it. I plan on getting that new one for my Daughter. You know the one with Mario in it. I love video games, and I can see my daughter having a lot of fun with it, so it’s a perfect match.

Agreed.


I’m not saying that they should abandon simple video games all together. They are need out there, for the casual gamer. Something that somebody can pick up real easy and still be able to play for a couple hours. But to state that it’s “The Fall of the Modern Gaming Era” is a little harsh. Everything has to progress, or it will just phase itself out. Look at any business that has started but never progressed, they just aren’t around anymore. So what I’m saying in the short, none boring statement. Is that games are so popular today because of all the advancements that have been achieved. It was need to add more buttons.

I'm not saying that it was never needed. More buttons can be a good thing. When companies think they can put out something "revolutionary" like Halo 2 and expect me to buy 3? F that. I don't care about the Covenant anymore.

Games like Halo, MGS, and Mario 64 truly were inspiring. Halo 2, MGS 2 , and Mario Sunshine were the same thing, with "advancements". Whoops, I guess someone forgot to develop "fun" into those games.

I thoroughly believe the "Golden Era" of gaming ended when 128-bit systems entered into the fray. I'm not fooled when EA hides crappy gameplay with astonishing graphics.

[DeathsHand]

Game companies are all too restricted by licences nowadays. Everyone plays Madden because of it's "realism". I always played Blitz because it was simple.

And Madden always sells a bazillion copies, how does that show something negative in the gaming industry? I mean strength-wise, let's not get into the arguement of them repackaging the same thing every year... Just because you want simplicity, doesn't mean everybody does...

Games were creative back when. Now everyone thinks by using the Apocalypse engine, they can make a "new" Tony Hawk. Two were enough.

And yet for every creative game there was back in the day, there were still 100 different rip-offs of each one as well...

Hasn't anyone noticed that the DC failed? They tried too many things at one time. Sure, the idea of a VMU was great, but most Americans don't have spare time to raise a Chao.

Or you could chalk that up to the system being made by Sega (coming off their failed Genesis add-ons and Saturn) at a time when PS2 was looming on the horizon...

The VCU was a neat idea, but the small, blocky, black and white LCD screen sucked ass and after having the system for like 2 months the thing's battery died (and wasn't worth replacing) and it beeped every ******* time I turned the system on...

Gamers are going to get fed up and stop buying games. I had to decide for a long time whether or not I wanted Halo 2. And I was shockingly dissapointed by the ending.

So you're saying you were dissapointed by a modern game's ending while praising the day that game's ended with a black screen and colorful flashy letters that said "The End, Thanks for playing!"?

For everyone who was dissapointed by Halo 2, a thousand more thought it was amazing... I personally havn't played it...

Games like DDR are widely popular around the world because they can be understood in any language, and their settings can be made so easy that children can play them right. Donkey Konga hits it. My sister can play it and win on easy levels, and I play the hard ones. Everyone's happy. Nintendo gets more money.

Well there ya go, DDR and Donkey Konga are modern games are simple (or not so simple, depending on the difficulty) RECENT games that people are enjoying... But hey I didn't hear you point out that there have been 50 billion versions of DDR with pretty much no changes except new songs...

You know what other games are insanely popular world-wide? You can be sure that Final Fantasy XXVIII will sell millions... Along with the latest Gran Turismo, to name a couple...

Games like Halo, MGS, and Mario 64 truly were inspiring. Halo 2, MGS 2 , and Mario Sunshine were the same thing, with "advancements". Whoops, I guess someone forgot to develop "fun" into those games.

I thoroughly believe the "Golden Era" of gaming ended when 128-bit systems entered into the fray. I'm not fooled when EA hides crappy gameplay with astonishing graphics.

Zelda: LttP takes the same formula as the first zelda game and advances it... People love that game...

Super Mario World takes the same formula of SMB3 and advanc... oh wait, no, it's pretty much the same thing, but people still love it...

Castlevania 1 = Castlevania 3 = Super Castlevania IV =...

I don't think gaming back in the day was as creative as you think... At least not in a way that makes it seem like Retro gaming = UBER CREATIVE!! / Modern Gaming = Carbon copy cut-outs...

Since the gaming industry started there have been franchises that have produced "advancement" after "advancement"...

And anytime anybody has hit gold with a certain formula in gaming, other companies want to find their own way to use it... Wether it was back in the 80s, 90s, or today...

[Blackmane]

The gaming industry will not die. It cannot die. People are too entralled with gaming at any age for it to just dissapear. It may take a metamorphosis to keep up with the times, but people will always play games. People will always have the need to play video games of all sorts. You can't stop progress.

Even though you may think that games are becoming too complex and, therefore, not as fun, there are many people who have tons of fun with games like GTA instead of Duck Hunt.

[Fox 6]

Even though you may think that games are becoming too complex and, therefore, not as fun, there are many people who have tons of fun with games like GTA instead of Duck Hunt.
Yes i know some people like that.

[dropCGCF]

I never said the industry would die.

I'm saying that its glory days are over.

[Batman]

I'm not saying to impede progress, what I'm saying is that developers are losing sight of incorporating technology into a game that isn't the same thing I played two years ago.

Still have to buttheads with you here. Developers have always been out there to make a quick buck. You have sequels that are just horrible dated always back to the Atari days. If the developers make an outstanding original game, that GOTY or something, they are quick to turn around and make a half-assed sequel for a profit. No developing company is excluded from this. If people are comfortable with a title, they are willing to spend the money on part 2, 3, 4, etc. Example, Acclaim and Turok. That was done in the 64 days. ET, done on Atari. Huge successes in the theater, major flop on Atari. Simple game, huge flop.

So you're telling me that you hate impossibility in football games, but pulling off a 27-trick combo is an everyday occurence in the skateboarding world? And sure, fancy graphics are nice, but with realism, as Maddox said, "who wants to play 'Virtual Scavenger Hunt'?"

Nope, not saying that at all. Every game has their replay value. I love the realism in Madden, but I also like the extreme tricks that can be done in SSX, Tony Hawk, ATV, or any other extreme sports game. I even like sitting down and playing some Blitz with some buddies, if I’m in that mood for high scoring games and pure mad house. But realism really adds to the effect of games. How real would Splinter Cell be, if they were restricted to two buttons and a D-pad. Same goes for almost all games out there. With the extra buttons, you now have the ability to do more with the character on the screen. Fighting games would not be as deep (control wise) as they are now. I enjoy all types of games, but they have to be done right. And with what Maddox said, “who wants to play Virtual Scavenger Hunt”, this could be done easily with a two button configuration. Sounds like a pretty simple game too me. But who wants to play it if it’s not fun? Got me.

I'm not saying that it was never needed. More buttons can be a good thing. When companies think they can put out something "revolutionary" like Halo 2 and expect me to buy 3? F that. I don't care about the Covenant anymore.

No argument here. I was very disappointed in Halo 2. But look at companies like Capcom, with what they are doing with Resident Evil. That’s pretty awesome. They knew that the whole Zombie thing was dead (ha ha ha). So they added some spice to the mix. This "revolutionary" thing you are talking about isn't consoles fault, it's the developers fault. And this isn't the only generation that it's happened with. Explained a little more below.

Games like Halo, MGS, and Mario 64 truly were inspiring. Halo 2, MGS 2 , and Mario Sunshine were the same thing, with "advancements". Whoops, I guess someone forgot to develop "fun" into those games.

Every generation of console games that come out has their “inspiring” games. Truthfully, I can probably only name a few with the N64 and the PSx (can’t name any from Sega, never had their systems). And the same goes for this generation. It doesn’t have to do with controllers or how simple a game is, it has to do with what developers do with the idea that they have. Some developers try to get the fast $$$, and some actually try to make an outstanding game. Again, I repeat, it's not just this generation. It's all of them.

I thoroughly believe the "Golden Era" of gaming ended when 128-bit systems entered into the fray. I'm not fooled when EA hides crappy gameplay with astonishing graphics.

Maybe it has to do with opinion. But I believe the “Golden Era” of gaming ended with the NES. We will never get the classic of Mike Tyson’s Punch Out, Contra, Ninja Gaiden, even Super Mario 3. It’s just a matter of opinion. But I’m not at all disappointed with how the gaming industry has flourished. As for EA, well they are producing a couple games that I’m really looking forward too this year, Battlefield 2 and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect. I’m not going to get sucked into “EA is taking over the world” hype. If there is a game that they come out with and it’s awesome, it will be a part of my collection.