Should We Start Expecting Less from Video Games?
I’ve already been disappointed by three of the biggest video game blockbusters that have been released so far. I never learned my lesson and I had pre-orders lining up despite facing previous upsets. I’m always searching for movies, television shows, books, and video games that will awe and move me. It’s a tall order, but it’s a feeling I actively seek out. Sometimes I can’t help but think that certain games will have that affect on me. Maybe it’s the hype and other times it’s because I’m intensely loyal to a particular company.
I’ve played The Sims 4, Destiny, and Watch Dogs so far. I’m not saying they were terrible games, because they’re actually quite good. However, they not great or amazing either. Is it bad to expect the most out of video games, or should we be challenging developers with our expectations?
When was the last time you were truly captivated by a game? I remember some of my fondest memories discovering my favorite games of all time. When I picked up Mass Effect 2, I had no clue whatsoever about it at all. The only thing I knew was that it was a science fiction role-playing shooter. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was hooked the moment I started playing. My jaw dropped as soon as I saw my character Commander Shepard slowly dying as he falls towards a planet’s atmosphere. I literally could not put down the controller since I was always eager to know what happens next. The craziest thing of all is that I immediately opted to play a new game right after the credits started rolling. I think I did this two more times after that. It was an unbelievable feeling that I’ll never forget.
You could argue that I really enjoyed it because I didn’t encounter any of the hype leading to the release. I’m not denying that it could have been a factor, but there were also moments when a video game I’ve heard non-stop about completely floored me. One particular game that achieved this is The Last of Us and it more than delivered on what its promos promised. I believe that a majority of the gaming community expected the game to be awesome and it’s such a great feeling knowing you’re right and also getting a bit more than what you wanted.
Sometimes people tend to give a good game a harsh score because it failed to live up to the enormous hype it built for itself. It makes me wonder if this is fair or not to the developers. Why shouldn’t developers be responsible for the hype and promises their game gains? It causes players to expect things, and it’s never a good thing if you deceive your consumers. Mass Effect 3‘s claim about several different endings come to mind.
Others could argue that there are some types of hype that are beyond developers’ control. You can’t always control how people respond to your video game. People might create unrealistic expectations on your own, but it makes you wonder if it’s possible at all. Could developers really have no fault in it?
Activision spent $500 million on Destiny, but I don’t think it’s as epic as its astronomical price tag. The Sims 4 doesn’t feel like it’s a new generation for the famous franchise. Watch Dogs merely turned out to be a futuristic Grand Theft Auto with a few unique aspects. Maybe we shouldn’t expect much from video games nowadays, so it won’t be difficult for games to captivate us once more.
No – we should expect a lot from video games for the money that we have to shell out for them. The Last of Us was a great game that showed us that there is more than just shooting and dodging danger that can make up a fantastic escape into the realm of CG.
Though we don’t always need a “good” story to give us that moment you’re talking about to completely captivate us. When the PS3 was making it’s stride and the first Little Big Planet debuted I was completely stunned by everything that game had to offer. The adorable sack guy and the amount of customization you could do with not only him but level design was truly inspiring. Not only that, but the actual game play and going through each stage was fun and challenging without causing me to want to chuck my remote at the TV.
We should expect video games to be awesome – we as the consumer deserve awesome if we’re willing to pay the price for it. When we deal out $60+ for a new video game and it delivers a subpar experience … I think there is justification for being upset or let down.
Fun write up by the way.
I tried and failed to avoid the hype of the last few big games. Despite some really fun games (Destiny in particular), developers still seem to be finding their footing in the next gen world. I think they (as well as many gamers) think better graphics and facial capture are what we want out of these systems. But as you’ve said, the most memorable, captivating games are the ones that surprise us with great characters, as well as some kind of story. If the story is great like Mass Effect then sweet. But even a simple enough story like Unchartered can work. But I couldn’t tell you what Titanfall or Destiny was about.
I myself thought the best option was to bring on folks that know a thing or two about story. With games becoming as big (bigger?) an industry as movies, well known screenwriters could bring some life to things. But then they bought Stephen Gaghan on for Ghosts and it was only okay. So maybe it’s just a matter of time before developers find their groove.
I’m sure Bungie will make their $500m back, and I’ll keep enjoying it for a while. Though if Arkham Knight or Quantum Break were nearer, I’d be moving on.
I’m loving Destiny. The story is……what story? It’s the best “shoot stuff” experience to come out in several years, it features some new multiplayer innovations for the genre, and has some incredible scenery. If they could have done a better job with the writing (and I’m shocked they didn’t), made some of those caves that keep calling your name actually lead somewhere beyond 15 feet (or at least have a chest in them), and spent more time on customization options instead of making the game chuck new weapons and armor at you every time you shoot something, we’d have a timeless classic on our hands.
It’ll be the same as saying it with movies and that’s simply not the case, if the product can’t be marketed in a way to deliver on what the product is selling it is a failure in the marketing department.
From a presentation sense, I think it’s stagnated in similar visual esthetics, and until they break the mold with more style and diversity they’re not going to get better.