Plague_Injected
Supreme [H]ardness
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2008
- Messages
- 6,621
Seriously...when was the last time a big-name game appealed to and was designed for core gamers?
Everything is being dumbed down (sorry, being made "more accessible" and being "streamlined") in order to maximise sales. Established franchises are changed to increase audiences...but the changes are never for the better. Existing fanbases are snubbed because some suit says they aren't a big enough number.
I am all for games evolving, but the changes that are made to subsequent titles in franchises are never for the better. Changes are assessed solely on what an existing fan can and cannot tolerate.
The only use for core gamers is in generating a playerbase and some hype for a new IP which will be franchised and dumbed down at the first sign of mass-exposure. Case in point - Dark Souls. This game's cult status amongst core gamers was propelled by the almost-underground word-of-mouth hype of its predecessor Demon's Souls. It was the shining example of a game being designed for serious gamers. Now Dark Souls II will be a "Souls" game in name only, with its creator sidelined so it can go in a new direction. The existing fanbase doesn't matter. Suits will easily forego every single one of them if it brings in a new, bigger customer base...one that is more easily impressed and is more easily parted with $$$.
I am seriously considering giving up gaming. There is almost nothing here for me anymore. When Microsoft thought having Usher at a gaming convention show was a great idea, it really hit home that people like myself are no longer the target audience, and perhaps not even relevant anymore. The revelations about how Dark Souls II is being developed have really been the last straw. The only games that have any kind of learning curve seem to be indie games with graphics from 20+ years ago. I have nothing against these games, but I also have no real interest in sifting through low-budget, retro games to find a satisfying gaming experience when they are all mostly based on very old ideas and don't break any real new ground (Super Meat Boy and Hotline Miami both come to mind).
Games should be evolving with the technology, but they simply are not. It's a complete race to the bottom.
Everything is being dumbed down (sorry, being made "more accessible" and being "streamlined") in order to maximise sales. Established franchises are changed to increase audiences...but the changes are never for the better. Existing fanbases are snubbed because some suit says they aren't a big enough number.
I am all for games evolving, but the changes that are made to subsequent titles in franchises are never for the better. Changes are assessed solely on what an existing fan can and cannot tolerate.
The only use for core gamers is in generating a playerbase and some hype for a new IP which will be franchised and dumbed down at the first sign of mass-exposure. Case in point - Dark Souls. This game's cult status amongst core gamers was propelled by the almost-underground word-of-mouth hype of its predecessor Demon's Souls. It was the shining example of a game being designed for serious gamers. Now Dark Souls II will be a "Souls" game in name only, with its creator sidelined so it can go in a new direction. The existing fanbase doesn't matter. Suits will easily forego every single one of them if it brings in a new, bigger customer base...one that is more easily impressed and is more easily parted with $$$.
I am seriously considering giving up gaming. There is almost nothing here for me anymore. When Microsoft thought having Usher at a gaming convention show was a great idea, it really hit home that people like myself are no longer the target audience, and perhaps not even relevant anymore. The revelations about how Dark Souls II is being developed have really been the last straw. The only games that have any kind of learning curve seem to be indie games with graphics from 20+ years ago. I have nothing against these games, but I also have no real interest in sifting through low-budget, retro games to find a satisfying gaming experience when they are all mostly based on very old ideas and don't break any real new ground (Super Meat Boy and Hotline Miami both come to mind).
Games should be evolving with the technology, but they simply are not. It's a complete race to the bottom.