Mainstream
5 Reasons Why Western-Developed Games Are Boring (and How to Fix Them)
I have a GameFly account. It has served me well. It has allowed me to spend less than the price of a single AAA retail release per month to play as much as I want of practically whatever I want. And what I want usually ends up being the first four or five hours of several much larger fourteen-hour or even forty-hour experiences. That sounds like it should be a comfortable sample platter of the industry, an ADD fantasy of constantly-shifting and continually-expanding experiences. So why instead does it feel like being strung up and force fed the same meal for months or even years on end? Well, as you might have guessed from the title, I have some thoughts on that.
1. The Vertical Slice Has Got to Go
If you’re not familiar with the term, the “vertical slice” is a method taken from product design. It’s a way of avoiding what’s known as “feature creep”, the unfortunate tendency of people who are equal parts creative and bored to keep tossing new ideas at the wall instead of spending time developing the ideas that they’ve already got. Because in pretty much every case, thinking up the nifty stuff you could invent is much more entertaining than actually doing the very strenuous and dull work of inventing things.
“Maybe I should take dad’s advice and get into grain counting. It can’t be more boring than coding.”
So, in order to keep their people on track, managers demand at the outset of a project that they have a list of the exact things which their nifty new gadget will be able to do. And progress is tracked by the gadget’s ability to perform these essential functions and, inevitably, its inability to do anything else at all.
Which is all well and fine in, say, packaged goods (where most of the suits working at western publishers now come from) but is absolutely death in art.
And you can see that right away in the amount of games which show you the entirety of themselves in their tutorials and then demand that you play through another twelve or so hours of the same repetitive actions, which are made all the more repetitive by the fact that they’ve been modeled after some other and much more popular game from five years ago that everyone has been copying since then. If you’ve been gaming at all in the past ten years, I can hand you an Xbox controller and you’ll likely be able to tell me exactly which button shoots, which button zooms down the scope and which button lobs your (yawn) exactly three or five grenades. Never four grenades, mind you. That’s the devil’s number.
By the way, how many grunts in the field are actually allowed to handle grenades? I’m really curious about that.
Regardless, if you want a great example of how terrible this is, look no further than open-world gaming. Look at all of the unnecessary collectables used for padding, the copy-paste level design, the “crafting” systems which are typically just another little dance with the bland U.I. to do the same exact thing you could have done by simply picking up an object in the world because there’s zero freedom or options to be had there.
Look and behold the terror of a ledger with boxes being mechanically checked. And if you want a vision of the future, imagine a forced stealth section stomping on a human face forever.
2. Intuitive Controls are Inherently a Bad Idea
Okay, hear me out on this one: I hate intuitive controls. I absolutely loathe being able to pick up a controller and immediately knowing what each button does. Every time that I do, I can feel another knife being stabbed into the heart of gaming.
I have strong emotions on this is what I am saying here.
“Shouting counts as an emotion!”
The really beautiful thing about video games as an artistic medium is that they’re the only one that demands something of the person engaging with them. Film is a passive experience. Reading is technically more active but once you’re literate it’s basically automatic. Paintings hang on walls and look pretty, which is very nice of them but maybe isn’t so indicative of a growth experience.
Only gaming really makes you work for the next bit of story or emotion or what-have-you. And maybe it’s something as simple as muscle memory. Maybe the characters and the plot and all of the more traditional stuff aren’t perfectly blended into the more interactive bits and so you get lots of odd stuff like health packs and quicktime events and all of the other tropes that are sort of laughable from any given distance besides right in the heat of the moment. But there’s still a magic there that’s particular to this medium.
And when you try to flatten those experiences and make them rote and predictable so that you can try to engage with non-gamers, especially the people who will never play your product in a million years anyways, then you dilute that magic.
And then all you’ve got is a whole lot of misspelled, one-word title games like “Phayze” and “FaylState” and “Fallohcentryke” that all play the same and feature what I believe to be the exact same burly, white man on the cover looking vaguely militaristic and also annoyed at how close the photographer has gotten to his face. Are these all part of a series? Really, I can’t even tell anymore.
3. New IP is for New Ideas
You know what? I’m fine with all of the sequels in gaming. Because really, gaming doesn’t quite do sequels like other mediums do. Or at least it doesn’t do sequels like film does (look up the “alphabet mystery” series if you want some examples of ridiculous sequeling in literature) — or, I suppose film does sort of do long-form storytelling with multiple iterations at times (there’s always the “Up” series, of course) but it’s usually not in genre work? Except when it is?
Okay, okay, so the nature of sequels is a complicated beast wherever they’re done. And with series like “Assassin’s Creed” out there in which they’ve just gone ahead and given up their meta-story in favor of doing different historical epics with similar gameplay, it is perhaps more strange and convoluted than ever.
“What? You come up with a murder-y word that starts with a ‘q’!”
But we as a community spend a lot of time complaining about them regardless because quite a lot of them are seen as cheap and easy cash-ins. Even if the process by which they were made is most certainly neither. For my part, though, I’m more concerned with the glut of same-but-with-a-different-name rip-off titles that now make up the bulk of even AAA gaming. By now, we must have reached the point that there are more “Call of Duty” rip-offs than there are actual sequels. I mean, at least Activision has the kindness to only release one entry in the franchise a year.
Whereas practically every month sees at least two or three of pretty much that exact same game made by different and ultimately far less talented teams. Ones without the budget to topple the king and without the vision to stake a claim on their own territory somewhere else.
And what’s the point, really? Nobody ever says, “why buy the best when I could buy the rest at the exact same price and be woefully unfulfilled in life?”. Even the “Call of Duty” games didn’t hit upon mega-success until they quit aping “Medal of Honor” and started doing their own thing with the “Modern Warfare” titles.
Learn that lesson while you’re ripping off Activision, fly-by-night publishers.
4. Sometimes a Toy is Better than a Game
If anything, I’ve been arguing against convention here. And, sadly, there’s now nothing more conventional in gaming than handing the player an awesome tool and then forcing them to use it in one of several pre-arranged sequences.
Honestly, it would probably be easier just to avoid all of the extra work that goes into designing perfectly manufactured hallways with just the right enemy placement and instead toss us into big, open areas with lots of fun stuff to play around with and neat ways to play around with it. Why isn’t EA making its own Goat Simulator or Octodad?
“We tried with koalas but as it turns out they’re basically awful.”
And if you think that’s crazy, then why did we throw so much time and money at Minecraft? Hell, QWOP probably has a better ROI based purely on advertising revenue than most mid-range shooter titles that were released on the PS3 and Xbox360.
Remember that this is how we play. So give us a real playground. Don’t be afraid to be aimless.
5. But if Not then Give me an Experience
Of course, if you’ve got a great story to tell then that’s fine but be sure to make it a journey. Not just a series of the same few encounters over and over again until you get to the next dramatic beat. The interactive portion of your big, artistic statement on life shouldn’t be a chore to get through.
Maybe the best recent example of how to go wrong with this is “The Last of Us”. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love this game. I love its environments, I love its sound design, I love its characters and the feel of its controls once you do eventually end up in combat.
But what I don’t love are the sectioned-off enemy encounters that make stealth pointless, the anemic crafting system, the tacked-on puzzle elements (look Ellie, another pallet for you to stand on!), or the generally uninspired and straight-forward level design. Once you’ve murdered everything in sight, humans and zombies alike, then you do get to wander around and look at all of the very carefully constructed environments which is a wonderful time all on its own. Some of the most endearing and even affecting moments in the game actually come from these joyous little moments of exploration.
But you don’t spend much time talking to people. You never come across any other survivors that aren’t bandits. You rarely interact with anyone in any way that isn’t just them trying to murder you. And it’s not that I have a problem with the violence, like a lot of contemporary reviewers seemed to. I love violence! The more stomach-churning the better!
“I shall bathe in the sweet entrails of my enemies!”
But when the best moments in the game are all, every single one of them, outside of the combat and yet the combat makes up ninety percent of the experience as a whole then, yeah, something is clearly wrong. Imagine a sequence in which you and Ellie wander into an abandoned building and scavenge for supplies and other people are also there, cautious but minding their own business. Imagine grabbing what you need but not saying a word to these people as you gradually fill up your pack and move along.
It’s the tension of not knowing how something’s going to turn out that makes that scenario interesting. Maybe they will just turn on you. Maybe they won’t. What if they also have guns? Will you shoot first and ask questions later?
Now imagine if that only happened once in the whole game. If other encounters worked in other ways, violent or not. See, it’s not about the bloodshed. It’s about the novelty. It’s about the difference between exploring a deliberately crafted world in which a group of creative people have touched every aspect and being pounded upside the head by a few core systems that can be iterated on ad nauseam because the latter just happens to be way cheaper and require a lot less effort.
If you’re going to make your epic then make it count. What distinguishes the great Hollywood epics, for example, is their bloat of spectacular stuff. They’re gloriously messy.
Think “Lord of the Rings”. It’s essentially a hero’s journey but we’re not there to see Frodo drop the ring into Mordor. We’re there for all of the fantastic lands and larger-than-life characters that we can meet along the way. If instead the series had been nine hours of Frodo smacking goblins upside the face with the same pre-rendered moves and hearing the same twelve to fifteen death gurgles then it would have been an abysmal slog.
Just because you’re building a game doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be building a world.
Or, hey, maybe just continue about your business while your business slowly dies around you. Meanwhile, I’ll be over here giving serious consideration to just cancelling my GameFly subscription.
Are you tired of playing video games all day long? Why not take a break and watch some video game-based movies on Hulu in NZ? With its vast collection of movies and TV shows, Hulu is the perfect platform to satisfy your gaming cravings.
From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, we would recommend you to get Hulu in NZ, because Hulu has it all. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the top 7 video game-based movies that you must watch on Hulu in NZ.
Assassin’s Creed (2016)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Justin Kurzel
Major Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
The first on our list is the movie adaptation of the popular video game franchise “Assassin’s Creed.” Starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, this movie follows the story of Callum Lynch, who discovers he is a descendant of a secret society of assassins. With stunning visuals and breathtaking action scenes, this movie is a must-watch for any Assassin’s Creed fan.
Rampage (2018)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Director: Brad Peyton
Major Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
If you’re a fan of monster movies and video games, “Rampage” is the perfect movie for you. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, this movie is based on the classic arcade game of the same name. The movie follows a primatologist who teams up with a genetically modified gorilla to stop two other genetically modified animals from destroying the city. With its over-the-top action and humor, “Rampage” is a fun-filled ride from start to finish.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Director: Jeff Fowler
Major Cast: James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes
For all the Sonic fans out there, “Sonic the Hedgehog” is a must-watch movie. Starring Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, this movie follows Sonic as he teams up with a human cop to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. With its fast-paced action and lovable characters, “Sonic the Hedgehog” is a movie that both kids and adults can enjoy.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Simon McQuoid
Major Cast: Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson
Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes
If you’re a fan of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise, you won’t want to miss the 2021 movie adaptation. With its gory fight scenes and iconic characters, this movie is a love letter to the fans of the game. The movie follows a group of fighters who are recruited to participate in a tournament to determine the fate of the world. With stunning visuals and non-stop action, “Mortal Kombat” is a movie that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Warcraft (2016)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Duncan Jones
Major Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster
Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
Based on the popular MMORPG game, “Warcraft” tells the story of the battle between humans and orcs. Starring Travis Fimmel and Paula Patton, this movie follows a group of human heroes as they try to stop the orc invasion. With its epic battles and stunning visuals, “Warcraft” is a movie that will transport you to a world of magic and adventure.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Roar Uthaug
Major Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes
Based on the popular video game franchise of the same name, “Tomb Raider” stars Alicia Vikander as the iconic Lara Croft. The movie follows Lara as she sets out on a dangerous journey to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance. With its intense action scenes and captivating storyline, “Tomb Raider” is a movie that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
Resident Evil (2002)
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Major Cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Last but not least, we have the classic zombie horror movie “Resident Evil.” Starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, this movie is based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. The movie follows Alice and a group of survivors as they try to escape from an underground research facility infested with zombies. With its tense atmosphere and pulse pounding action, “Resident Evil” is a must-watch for any horror or action movie fan.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the top 7 video game-based movies that you must watch on Hulu in NZ. From the high-flying action of “Assassin’s Creed” to the terrifying zombie outbreak in “Resident Evil,” each movie offers its unique take on the beloved video games that inspired them.
Whether you are a die-hard gamer or a movie enthusiast, these movies are sure to satisfy your craving for pulse-pounding action and adventure.
Hulu in NZ offers a fantastic selection of movies and TV shows that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. With these top 7 video game-based movies, you can immerse yourself in the world of your favorite games and enjoy them on the big screen.
Fighting games have been a major sub-genre of the industry since the dawn of gaming. While the original fist-fighting game came out in 1976, the genre arguably peaked in the 1980s. Dozens of franchises came smashing down arcades, from Mortal Kombat to Tekken.
But gamers do not need to visit the local gaming center anymore to get in on the action, as platform fighters and hand-to-hand combat have long gone mobile. So, are you up for a brawl? Whether you’re into brutal MMA fights or formidable superhero battles, let’s round up some of the best fighting games to play on Android.
Marvel Contest of Champions
While movies and comic books are still at the core of its extended universe, Marvel has also expanded to the gaming medium. Much to mobile gamers’ dismay, though, exhilarating brawler games like Marvel’s Avengers and massive crossovers like Marvel vs. Capcom never made it to smartphones. But Marvel Contest of Champions is more than epic enough to make up for it.
Developed by Kabam, this versus-fighting action game features a pretty strong line-up comprising virtually every Marvel character in the book. Beloved heroes like Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Hulk are all set for battle throughout iconic Marvel locations, such as Asgard, Stark Tower, and Wakanda. Yet players may as well pick supervillains to pit against the good guys. So, assemble the strongest super-heroic team and combine each champion’s unique set of devastating attacks and special abilities. Better yet, this mobile Marvel game allows for competitive multiplayer fighting.
Skullgirls: Fighting RPG
Skullgirls is a solid contender for best mobile fighting game out there. This fighting RPG by Autumn Games has got some incredibly responsive battle animations going for it, and just enough grind to keep players engaged for hours on end. Fun special moves and combos take fast-paced combat to the next level, serviced by colorful background visuals and a jazzy soundtrack that may feel out of place but gives the game that much more flavor.
And all kicking and pummeling aside, Skullgirls has much in the way of the story, too. In an original twist on the genre, this 2D RPG features an all-female cast of quirky yet fierce hand-animated characters. Players may even customize their fighter while searching for the elusive Skullgirl and stopping her from destroying the city of New Meridian.
Mortal Kombat
Alongside Capcom’s Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat is probably the best-known fighting franchise in the world. The series stemmed from the idea of making a video game starring action movie superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme. Funnily enough, JCVD would eventually play center stage in the live-action adaptation of Street Fighter. Still, Mortal Kombat spawned countless installations, TV series, and feature films.
And gamers can now experience the visceral fighting and trademark Fatalities that made the franchise so infamous straight on mobile. Mortal Kombat shows off a whopping roster of over 130 warriors, who level up through challenges of increasing difficulty. Teaming up fighters with matching synergies, mobile players can tackle ferocious enemies in online competitive mode or all on their own. This mobile version of the legendary game also includes a card collection feature.
EA Sports UFC
The intensity of the Octagon translates superbly to the gaming medium. Released by Electronic Arts on multiple platforms, EA Sports UFC quickly became the go-to title for gamers with a knack for mixed martial arts. And the mobile version doesn’t disappoint, pitting up to 97 UFC fighters against one another in heated fashion – and even martial arts legend Bruce Lee as an unlockable bonus. EA Sports UFC may thus be the perfect mobile game to dive into while waiting for the next big superstar comeback.
Meanwhile, prominent fighters like Valentina Shevchenko and Nikita Krylov will keep fans on the edge of their seats in upcoming UFC events. And MMA enthusiasts can even spruce up the experience with a gamble. Reviewers like SBO have laid down the most profitable online bookies for punters to explore. The best sportsbooks offer a range of betting options on MMA, ranging from method of victory to total rounds. Lofty bonuses and welcome packages also await newcomers. And online punters can make bank out of even more sports, from the ultra-popular to the niche.
Fighting games are as old as time. But with improved gameplay and ever-so-striking aesthetics, they’ve remained fresh throughout the decades. And players can now get their fists to do the talking on mobile, from retro titles to inventive entries.
The 21st century has been a great time for gaming and online casinos. We’ve seen explosive growth in both sectors, with new technologies and platforms emerging constantly. The following 10 years promise to be even more exciting, as we’ll see even more innovation and growth in the gaming industry, as well as the online gambling industry.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the trends that we think will shape the next decade of gaming and online casino development. So whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gambler, read on to find out what the next 10 years have in store for you!
The increasing popularity of online casinos and gaming
With many people stuck at home, they turned to digital platforms for entertainment, including gaming and slots sites. As a result, these sectors have seen explosive growth over the past few years. With the increasing popularity of technology, games have moved from physical pieces to digital pixelated ones, allowing for even more immersive and engaging gaming experiences.
With the online world ever-growing, it was only a matter of time before gambling followed suit. Nowadays, casinos are looking for ways to pull in more business through rewarding online slots promotions, as opposed to the regular operations in brick-and-mortar casinos. In addition, advancements in technology have allowed for the development of online slots, poker rooms, and other casino games that are not only secure and safe to play but also offer a level of quality that is comparable to land-based casinos.
Although we have made a lot of progress, especially with online casinos and online slots games, there is still more to come. Here are some of the changes we predict for this billion-dollar online casino industry in the next ten years:
The increasing legalization of online casinos globally
As online gaming becomes more and more popular, we are seeing an increased push for the legalization of online gambling in countries all around the world. With more people playing on digital platforms and experiencing the benefits of online casinos, governments are recognizing this trend and moving towards changing laws to allow for wider access to these online gambling sites.
For example, in the United States, more states are beginning to implement legal gambling solutions due to the US federal government softening its regulations. And this trend will likely continue in the coming years, as more countries begin to recognize the benefits of legalizing online casinos which include increased tax revenues and a better way to regulate gambling in the digital age.
Virtual reality gaming
With the rise of virtual reality technology, we can expect to see casinos offer more immersive gaming experiences. Players will be able to experience realistic casino environments and games through VR headsets, allowing for an even more realistic gaming experience. Game developers are constantly releasing new concept games to online casinos, and we can expect these same sorts of fun, attractive experiences to be available in the next few years.
Blockchain Technology for Transparent and Fair Gambling Systems
Another major trend that we will see in online casinos and gaming over the next decade is the use of blockchain technology. With this technology, players can rest assured that they are getting a fair chance to win while enjoying secure transactions and transparent gambling systems. Blockchain technology allows for all casino transactions to be recorded on an open ledger, making it difficult for casinos to manipulate the outcomes of games. As a result, players can enjoy more trust, transparency, and fairness in their online gaming activities.
Game development
When visiting an online casino, it is essential to find an operator that provides a good variety of games. For instance, slots games are very popular in the digital environment, finding a provider with a good variety of slots games will chance your experience. You could find different slots themes and choose the slot game you like the most. In the next ten years, we could be expecting new games integration with better graphics, creative and fun. Game developers will have a higher demand and they will be providing cool slots themes and other casino games.
Top of the line Live Dealer Games
Finally, we will also see more sophisticated live dealer games in online casinos and gaming over the next decade. With the rise of 4K and 5K resolution cameras, online casino providers have been able to offer gamers a much more realistic viewing experience.
These live dealer games can be streamed from various locations, allowing more people to join and play different types of online games. With a more advanced streaming quality, players can now interact with real dealers in real time and enjoy a variety of table games such as roulette, slots, blackjack, and baccarat. With so many exciting changes coming our way, we can look forward to even more engaging gaming experiences in the years ahead!
In Summary
Overall, it’s clear that the gaming and online casino industries are undergoing major changes as we look toward the future. Whether you’re an avid gamer or just a casual player, there are exciting developments on the horizon that will shape how we interact with these platforms – and how they affect our daily lives. So if you’re looking for the best possible experiences from the gambling and casino industry, in particular, be sure to keep an eye out for these exciting online casino trends as well as online slots promotions that suit your playing style.
-
Guides4 years ago6 Proven Ways to Get more Instagram Likes on your Business Account
-
Mainstream9 years agoBioWare: Mass Effect 4 to Benefit From Dropping Last-Gen, Will Not Share Template With Dragon Age: Inquisition
-
Guides2 months agoExplore 15 Most Popular Poki Games
-
Guides1 year agoGan Rubik’s Cube vs. Traditional Rubik’s Cube: Key Differences and Advantages
-
Mainstream11 years agoNew Assets Found for Half Life Episode 4
-
Mainstream14 years ago
How to Fix Modern Warfare 2 Problems/Freezings
-
Casual5 months ago8 Ways to Fix Over-Extrusion and Under-Extrusion in 3D Printing
-
Guides15 years ago
GTI Club+: Rally Cote d’Azur – PS3 Cheats