Okay, so that was E3...
Some really nice announcements in Live Prime Time and Live Party, some "could be good, but lets wait and see stuff" - LIPS, and some downright cringe worthy theatrics - You're in the movies. All in all a really strong showing for Xbox, with Gears 2, Banjo and Fable 2 it's good times ahead.
However, as you may have noticed by this title is that the thing that most caught my attention was Nintendo's presentation, but for all the worst reasons. Sports Resort, Music, even Animal Crossing, it's very sad. Actually worse, it's a disaster for gaming everywhere.
Nintendo so far this generation have valiantly charge forth into their "Blue Ocean" and exposed gaming to a wide audience of people who would never have even considered picking up a controller 18 months ago. It's a hit, people are discovering gaming and the potential for a gaming renaissance are within grasp. Unfortunately for everyone in the industry, Nintendo are just seeing the dollar signs, gaming be damned. The Wii is not about games anymore, it's about selling peripherals. Wii Fit, Wii Speak, the Wii wheel, the fact that Wii Music actually requires no sense of rhythm for a music game just smack of shovelware.
That's all well and good, I don't have or intend getting a Wii, so why should I care? Simply because the Wii is currently the ambasssador for gaming in non-gaming households. With Nintendo pumping this crap into the homes of gaming neophytes gaming will never be able to break the perception of being more than a "childish pastime", a kids toy, or worse "just a waste of time". They were on track with Super Mario Galaxy, it was a lead the industry could follow, but then the flags went up with the Brawl mashathon and bells started sounding at the complete skillessness of Mario Kart, and eventually I started bracing for impact when Wii Fit came out.
My worst fears are being realised. Instead of finding ways to get their new audience to engage with the best the medium could offer, say something 4 player family co-op, or even better, a gameshow service like Live! PRIMETIME, they have chosen to flog follow-ups and derivatives of games that don't even deserve a second play through, let alone sequels.
It's Atari all over again, and they're digging an ET sized hole in the middle of the Nevada desert that is already the industries reputation. Lets just hope that one of the other players can catch the worlds interest before we lose them again.
Friday, 18 July 2008
Monday, 14 July 2008
Last Words before E3 '08
So It's 4 hours and counting till the E3 Microsoft keynote, and I don't think I've ever been more excited, but apprehensive at the same time. While analyst have been singing the Xbox's swansong for a while now, with all th rumours swirling around I think the 360 has the biggest potential for a generational leap over the competition. I also worry that Microsoft might try get away with doing the bare minimum to maximise their bottom line, rather than going for "Shock and Awe", which is what they really need to get back in front. I don't like bean counters running tech companies. History has proven it to be a bad mix.
The problem is that there is so much one could do with the platform, but as it stands it's not fundamentally flawed. My biggest issue is still paying for Live! Either it needs to go free or Go home (arf arf ;)) No, seriously, it has to really justify itself. I see no reason why 360 gamers have to subsidize the development of PSN network functionality in games. Either our games should be cheaper, or we should get some ground breaking new features, or we should get it for free.
Besides that, we just need more compelling content. The 360 is yet to have it's "mainstream breakout" title. Wii had Wii Sports out the Box, "Gears of War" is an excellent hardcore title, but I can't play it in polite company or with my kids. I want a "Teddy Bears of War", or "Conkers Battlefield".
But hey that's just me. Bring on Lips! Bring on Waggle!
The problem is that there is so much one could do with the platform, but as it stands it's not fundamentally flawed. My biggest issue is still paying for Live! Either it needs to go free or Go home (arf arf ;)) No, seriously, it has to really justify itself. I see no reason why 360 gamers have to subsidize the development of PSN network functionality in games. Either our games should be cheaper, or we should get some ground breaking new features, or we should get it for free.
Besides that, we just need more compelling content. The 360 is yet to have it's "mainstream breakout" title. Wii had Wii Sports out the Box, "Gears of War" is an excellent hardcore title, but I can't play it in polite company or with my kids. I want a "Teddy Bears of War", or "Conkers Battlefield".
But hey that's just me. Bring on Lips! Bring on Waggle!
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Episodic Content, hmmm...
Has it been 6 weeks? doh, darn work always interfering with the important things in life ...
Anyway, E3 is on it's way, and it looks to be a humdinger. There's too many rumours and speculation mixed with hopes and wishes to call anything at the moment, hence I don't really want to make any predictions except that the second half of this year is going to be crazy good no matter what you play!
Anyway, one thing folks are quite hopeful for is some glimpse of Peter Jackson's "Halo:Chronicles", which has been dubbed an "interactive episodic entertainment experience". Which says a ton, but nothing really. So, as usual, my imaginations been playing with the idea and if I'm on the money it could really be a game changing thing. If they're going to do it my way ;)
Firstly the groundwork. There's a few things "halo" that were neglected with the hype (and some disappointment) of Halo 3. First off the 'community' side of Halo 3 is ground breaking. Map editing, movies, sharing etc, but also often overlooked is the vast stats tracking engine in the background, although not unique, relevant. The other "awesome" feature of Halo 3 was the marketing. Not the "believe" campaign, I'm talking about the "Halo: Combat" videos that set the 360 community alight.
I know the marketing budget for Halo 3 was enormous, but you don't make a real life Warthog for 15 minutes of video...
My theory: Halo Chronicles, will most likely be a squad based shooter about the ODST troops in the Halo: Combat videos, and I'm guessing the mechanics will probably play somewhere between Battlefield and Halo. The episodic feature, would be that, like Endwar, all games will contribute to a global story arc. At some interval, probably monthly, the game will change based on the results of games played.
BUT, and here's the Peter Jackson bit: Each Month's update would include not only map, objective and balance updates, but will be complemented with a Halo Combat style video that plays out the results of the last round.
Well, that's what I'd like to see. Well that and a Conker Battlefield game. And then there's Ryu Hayabusa as a playable character in Gears of War, but I think I'm pushing my luck.
Roll on E3!
Anyway, E3 is on it's way, and it looks to be a humdinger. There's too many rumours and speculation mixed with hopes and wishes to call anything at the moment, hence I don't really want to make any predictions except that the second half of this year is going to be crazy good no matter what you play!
Anyway, one thing folks are quite hopeful for is some glimpse of Peter Jackson's "Halo:Chronicles", which has been dubbed an "interactive episodic entertainment experience". Which says a ton, but nothing really. So, as usual, my imaginations been playing with the idea and if I'm on the money it could really be a game changing thing. If they're going to do it my way ;)
Firstly the groundwork. There's a few things "halo" that were neglected with the hype (and some disappointment) of Halo 3. First off the 'community' side of Halo 3 is ground breaking. Map editing, movies, sharing etc, but also often overlooked is the vast stats tracking engine in the background, although not unique, relevant. The other "awesome" feature of Halo 3 was the marketing. Not the "believe" campaign, I'm talking about the "Halo: Combat" videos that set the 360 community alight.
I know the marketing budget for Halo 3 was enormous, but you don't make a real life Warthog for 15 minutes of video...
My theory: Halo Chronicles, will most likely be a squad based shooter about the ODST troops in the Halo: Combat videos, and I'm guessing the mechanics will probably play somewhere between Battlefield and Halo. The episodic feature, would be that, like Endwar, all games will contribute to a global story arc. At some interval, probably monthly, the game will change based on the results of games played.
BUT, and here's the Peter Jackson bit: Each Month's update would include not only map, objective and balance updates, but will be complemented with a Halo Combat style video that plays out the results of the last round.
Well, that's what I'd like to see. Well that and a Conker Battlefield game. And then there's Ryu Hayabusa as a playable character in Gears of War, but I think I'm pushing my luck.
Roll on E3!
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
What's a Master Ninja to do?
So by now, unless you've been under a rock (or playing GTA4), you well aware that Tomonobu Itagaki, the man behind Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, is moving on. Personally I see this as only good news. Not that I hold anything against Tecmo, but Ninja Gaiden and DOA are well establish and can be iterated by pretty much any old dev team.
So the question is, where to now for Itagaki? There's a fair likelyhood that he'll be offered an exclusive deal from Microsoft, but you never know. What if he partnered with an established team? When mulling it over the following possibilities crossed my mind.
Ninja Odyssey (Mistwalker Studios)
Lost Odyssey is a marvel of story telling and character in gaming, but if there's been criticism it's that the action is pretty mediocre.
How it would rock:
Introducing the frenetic ninja gaiden style action as a component of the combat system could be revolutionary, as would adding DOA character style subplots as an episodic way of telling the story for those who can't sit through 40 hours of exposition.
How it could suck:
4 discs of gruelling combat, continual random battles that don't let you save until you reach the end of a disc...
No more Ninja's (Suda 51)
Itagaki and Sudo 51 share a similar take on life, especially their approach to the fairer sex. Working together would probably see them refining each others idea's more than reinventing.
How it would Rock:
Well depending on platform, you could finally have a "hardcore" wiimote game where your actions actually mean something. Content wise the game would be edging and uncompromising and set new benchmarks for cool.
How it would suck:
Your medical insurance will not cover injuries suffered while trying to perform some of the wiimote combo's. And while the violence will be uncompromising, the AO rating will come from making "Hot Coffee" look like a Feminist convention. (Oh wait, should that be in the 'suck' column? ;) )
Ninja Gear Solid (Hideo Kojima)
Probably the most surprisingly simple match of the lot. Solid Snake, so wants to be a badass ninja, but he's a wuss. By comparison Ryu's badassness really wrecks the whole 'stealth Ninja' Mythos.
How it would Rock:
Take MGS, ditch snake add Ryu. Give him Octocamo, and a Glock (Shurikens are so 80's). The ultimate 21st century Ninja. Ditch the whole MGS story and just stick to "kill all the bad guys". And don't give me any Raiden rubbish he's just a Mommies boy.
How it would suck:
There'll be 30 minutes of cutscene for every 5 minutes of gameplay. You'll be at a complete loss as to which confuses you more.
Any which way, Mr Itagaki, you have my attention, I can't wait to see what you get up to next.
[EDIT]
Okay so after I posted I had another thought. There's no chance it'd happen, but just imagine...
Guts of War (Epic Studios)
Those locust don't stand a chance. Sneaking from cover to cover outflanking and assassinating enemies under cover of shadow or smoke grenade, or just do the Ryu thing and plough head first into one of the new "flocks" of Grunts eviscerating everything in your path! Oh wow, it'd be awesome, someone make this game!
So the question is, where to now for Itagaki? There's a fair likelyhood that he'll be offered an exclusive deal from Microsoft, but you never know. What if he partnered with an established team? When mulling it over the following possibilities crossed my mind.
Ninja Odyssey (Mistwalker Studios)
Lost Odyssey is a marvel of story telling and character in gaming, but if there's been criticism it's that the action is pretty mediocre.
How it would rock:
Introducing the frenetic ninja gaiden style action as a component of the combat system could be revolutionary, as would adding DOA character style subplots as an episodic way of telling the story for those who can't sit through 40 hours of exposition.
How it could suck:
4 discs of gruelling combat, continual random battles that don't let you save until you reach the end of a disc...
No more Ninja's (Suda 51)
Itagaki and Sudo 51 share a similar take on life, especially their approach to the fairer sex. Working together would probably see them refining each others idea's more than reinventing.
How it would Rock:
Well depending on platform, you could finally have a "hardcore" wiimote game where your actions actually mean something. Content wise the game would be edging and uncompromising and set new benchmarks for cool.
How it would suck:
Your medical insurance will not cover injuries suffered while trying to perform some of the wiimote combo's. And while the violence will be uncompromising, the AO rating will come from making "Hot Coffee" look like a Feminist convention. (Oh wait, should that be in the 'suck' column? ;) )
Ninja Gear Solid (Hideo Kojima)
Probably the most surprisingly simple match of the lot. Solid Snake, so wants to be a badass ninja, but he's a wuss. By comparison Ryu's badassness really wrecks the whole 'stealth Ninja' Mythos.
How it would Rock:
Take MGS, ditch snake add Ryu. Give him Octocamo, and a Glock (Shurikens are so 80's). The ultimate 21st century Ninja. Ditch the whole MGS story and just stick to "kill all the bad guys". And don't give me any Raiden rubbish he's just a Mommies boy.
How it would suck:
There'll be 30 minutes of cutscene for every 5 minutes of gameplay. You'll be at a complete loss as to which confuses you more.
Any which way, Mr Itagaki, you have my attention, I can't wait to see what you get up to next.
[EDIT]
Okay so after I posted I had another thought. There's no chance it'd happen, but just imagine...
Guts of War (Epic Studios)
Those locust don't stand a chance. Sneaking from cover to cover outflanking and assassinating enemies under cover of shadow or smoke grenade, or just do the Ryu thing and plough head first into one of the new "flocks" of Grunts eviscerating everything in your path! Oh wow, it'd be awesome, someone make this game!
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
But what about 'those' games?
It's been an interesting day, discussing mature content in games. Two posts come to mind this one on sexuality in games, and this one on the impact of Gears of War graphic content on it's sales potential.
In the context of the spring showcase, it all brought me back to a favourite topic of mine. "Family" games.
I look at Viva Pinata and Banjo Kazooie and they both look a lot of fun, offering a fun aesthetic and new unique styles of gameplay. Which is where the first splatter of a derailment start sneaking onto the windshield. While Rare are making these games ostensibly for a younger market, there complexity may be a bit of a barrier to entry, as happened with Viva Pinata 1. Now this is not a new question, but the aforementioned articles made an old flag go up. While these games look great, why not leverage what we know already works and well?
I would like to play Gears of war with my wife or kids, but I can't. They could handle the gameplay, they could handle the levels, but the only thing preventing them from playing with me is the gratuitous content. So why the heck isn't there are "Gears of war for kids and other squeemish people".
Heck someone's already even made a suitable IP Bears of War! heh heh, okay maybe not that appropriate. But the point is still the same, here is a game that could have mass market appeal without mass market potential, it makes me a bit of a Sad Panda.
My other favourite IP, Battlefield, had cottoned on with 'Battlefield Heroes'. Being PC & Web only, I can't sit and play couch co-op with any family members, but at least they've clicked onto the market.
I only hope that as the console prices drop and younger market starts opening up to the HD consoles Developers take note and deliver some really compelling content.
In the context of the spring showcase, it all brought me back to a favourite topic of mine. "Family" games.
I look at Viva Pinata and Banjo Kazooie and they both look a lot of fun, offering a fun aesthetic and new unique styles of gameplay. Which is where the first splatter of a derailment start sneaking onto the windshield. While Rare are making these games ostensibly for a younger market, there complexity may be a bit of a barrier to entry, as happened with Viva Pinata 1. Now this is not a new question, but the aforementioned articles made an old flag go up. While these games look great, why not leverage what we know already works and well?
I would like to play Gears of war with my wife or kids, but I can't. They could handle the gameplay, they could handle the levels, but the only thing preventing them from playing with me is the gratuitous content. So why the heck isn't there are "Gears of war for kids and other squeemish people".
Heck someone's already even made a suitable IP Bears of War! heh heh, okay maybe not that appropriate. But the point is still the same, here is a game that could have mass market appeal without mass market potential, it makes me a bit of a Sad Panda.
My other favourite IP, Battlefield, had cottoned on with 'Battlefield Heroes'. Being PC & Web only, I can't sit and play couch co-op with any family members, but at least they've clicked onto the market.
I only hope that as the console prices drop and younger market starts opening up to the HD consoles Developers take note and deliver some really compelling content.
Monday, 19 May 2008
GTA4's real issues
Okay, so I have had a bit more time with GTA4, I'm a total of 30 hours in and thought I'd do a bit more of a thorough "what's really wrong with it." Don't get me wrong, GTA4 is a really good game, I'm enjoying it, but it is definitely not prefect, and not deserving of a "10".
First off, my single biggest grip: Combat Mechanics
They suck. There is no way to get around this. If it's not locking on to the wrong target, or not switching, it's going into cover that's clearly not, and then not being able to get out again. Then there's the attitude, in other words Animation lock-in. Sure Niko can strut his stuff but surely not when 15 gangsters or cops are firing at him, how about some urgency in opening that car door or even just walking into a room damnit! My most infuriating moment with this was on a rooftop, the mission was basically over, I walked over to a body near the edge to get some ammo, and when I simply pulled back on the stick to walk away from the edge, Niko does this friggin roundabout and walks of the rooftop to his death. AAAArg!
That extends to chase mission objectives as well. Whether I sniped the truck drive in the face, or dumped 30 rounds from an MP5 in a bikers back, the chase only ends when Rockstar says it does. Sorry, but that's not sandbox.
Then there are the "cheap shots", like entering a room where you obviously can't see around the corner and having a guy standing there with a shotgun. Combined with a "drunkard swimming in syrup" turn rate and the broken save system, there are more than a few times I nearly threw my controller through a window. (3 leaf clover...oh yeah...) I think the mechanics of Crackdown are much much better.
Driving on the other hand is excellent. I really like the feel of the different cars.
[EDIT] Oooo, how could I forget this one, the Y button, or a sI like to call it the "Ha ha **** you" button. Y is to jack or car, or hold it in to just get in the back of a cab. Add that to the above animation issues you never know what Niko is going to do. Murphy's law he almost always tries to hijack cabbies when drunk on a date, or trying to discretely leave the scene of a crime. The very reason I want a cab is because I'm trying to avoid having to drive, har har, jokes on me I guess.
Second Third on my list of annoyances is the Sparsity. I understand that it's taken an amazing amount of work to recreate New York. The resources taken to do that is just mind blowing. But there are more than just 3 clothing stores in New York, and the real ones have real style ;) There are so many fake Facia's it totally ruins the experience. For example, there's a Pizza place down the street from Michelle's apartment, but you have to trek across country to get to some shady dive. The whole of star junction, there is so much you could do there, but they just amount to bad textures. Even loadable cooky cutter shops would have been better, and as for the clothes, the real disappointment is that I know they skimped because if you go online there are a lot more clothes lines that would apparently have been available. Deadlines kill games I guess. How about a Cellphone shop? Or somewhere besides the the dime store to buy glasses?
Then there's Phantom Traffic. Look left, look right, look left again. All clear for 2 miles either way, cross the road and wham get taken out by some hillbilly in a truck that just warped out of nowhere. (I've been trying to do the 10 cars in 10 seconds achievement) You walk up to a traffic light and there's 10 cars at the intersection. You walk passed them and they should all drive past in a second. You turn around...they're gone! Similarly if you try leave your own vehicle somewhere. Where the heck is everyone? In Crackdown you could leave ramp trucks in place for ages.
My last gripe is the annoying Save and replay system. Rockstar really meant to make a system that encourages you to flow into your retries, but I'm afraid they've achieved exactly the opposite. The second I know I'm about to die I hit reload. By the time you get some decent cash together the penalty for losing a mission is greater than the rewards for completing it - problem 1. Then it's an absolute pain to restock your arsenal and armour up before you try again. Lastly a lot of the missions involve huge drives to the actual location, that can't be shortcutted by using a taxi, 3 leaf Clover is a good example of this. It's just infuriating! I'd even accept the financial punishment, if I could just start over from where and how the mission actualy takes place.
[EDIT2] Forgot the money thing as well... So Nicko keeps going on about the money, but dude, what's the point? I'm sitting with half a million dollars in my pocket, but I'm still complaining about being poor?!? I'm wearing a $3000 (kak looking) suit, but that's all I can spend my money on. In one shop? Okay, so I can spend a few thousand dollars on RPG rounds, but that's as exciting as it gets. What the heck is the point if there's nothing to spend it on? It's not even covered in the narrative, something like paying off a debt.
Anyway, that's my gripes. As I said, I still enjoy the game. It's a benchmark, technically, immersively and narratively. It's just not a 10. I would still say an 8.
First off, my single biggest grip: Combat Mechanics
They suck. There is no way to get around this. If it's not locking on to the wrong target, or not switching, it's going into cover that's clearly not, and then not being able to get out again. Then there's the attitude, in other words Animation lock-in. Sure Niko can strut his stuff but surely not when 15 gangsters or cops are firing at him, how about some urgency in opening that car door or even just walking into a room damnit! My most infuriating moment with this was on a rooftop, the mission was basically over, I walked over to a body near the edge to get some ammo, and when I simply pulled back on the stick to walk away from the edge, Niko does this friggin roundabout and walks of the rooftop to his death. AAAArg!
That extends to chase mission objectives as well. Whether I sniped the truck drive in the face, or dumped 30 rounds from an MP5 in a bikers back, the chase only ends when Rockstar says it does. Sorry, but that's not sandbox.
Then there are the "cheap shots", like entering a room where you obviously can't see around the corner and having a guy standing there with a shotgun. Combined with a "drunkard swimming in syrup" turn rate and the broken save system, there are more than a few times I nearly threw my controller through a window. (3 leaf clover...oh yeah...) I think the mechanics of Crackdown are much much better.
Driving on the other hand is excellent. I really like the feel of the different cars.
[EDIT] Oooo, how could I forget this one, the Y button, or a sI like to call it the "Ha ha **** you" button. Y is to jack or car, or hold it in to just get in the back of a cab. Add that to the above animation issues you never know what Niko is going to do. Murphy's law he almost always tries to hijack cabbies when drunk on a date, or trying to discretely leave the scene of a crime. The very reason I want a cab is because I'm trying to avoid having to drive, har har, jokes on me I guess.
Then there's Phantom Traffic. Look left, look right, look left again. All clear for 2 miles either way, cross the road and wham get taken out by some hillbilly in a truck that just warped out of nowhere. (I've been trying to do the 10 cars in 10 seconds achievement) You walk up to a traffic light and there's 10 cars at the intersection. You walk passed them and they should all drive past in a second. You turn around...they're gone! Similarly if you try leave your own vehicle somewhere. Where the heck is everyone? In Crackdown you could leave ramp trucks in place for ages.
My last gripe is the annoying Save and replay system. Rockstar really meant to make a system that encourages you to flow into your retries, but I'm afraid they've achieved exactly the opposite. The second I know I'm about to die I hit reload. By the time you get some decent cash together the penalty for losing a mission is greater than the rewards for completing it - problem 1. Then it's an absolute pain to restock your arsenal and armour up before you try again. Lastly a lot of the missions involve huge drives to the actual location, that can't be shortcutted by using a taxi, 3 leaf Clover is a good example of this. It's just infuriating! I'd even accept the financial punishment, if I could just start over from where and how the mission actualy takes place.
[EDIT2] Forgot the money thing as well... So Nicko keeps going on about the money, but dude, what's the point? I'm sitting with half a million dollars in my pocket, but I'm still complaining about being poor?!? I'm wearing a $3000 (kak looking) suit, but that's all I can spend my money on. In one shop? Okay, so I can spend a few thousand dollars on RPG rounds, but that's as exciting as it gets. What the heck is the point if there's nothing to spend it on? It's not even covered in the narrative, something like paying off a debt.
Anyway, that's my gripes. As I said, I still enjoy the game. It's a benchmark, technically, immersively and narratively. It's just not a 10. I would still say an 8.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Have you forgotten what fun is about?
I can't believe some peoples reactions to the Banjo Kazooie: Nuts 'n Bolts trailer. I think it looks absolutely fabulous! It's cheerful, fast paced, with some really interesting looking challenges and crosses so many genre's, that anyone that decries "it's not a platformer" firstly didn't actually watch the trailer, and secondly completely missed the point. It's different, it's not Banjo Kazooie: Galaxy, thank goodness!
I mean come on, how can you not get excited by a lego building racing, platform hopping, soccer playing online vehicular mayhem mashup thing! Forget your expectations and judge it on it's merits , it looks effing awesome.
Here watch the video again.
I mean come on, how can you not get excited by a lego building racing, platform hopping, soccer playing online vehicular mayhem mashup thing! Forget your expectations and judge it on it's merits , it looks effing awesome.
Here watch the video again.
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