What happened to computer games?

[cmoreland]

*steps up on soap box*

So I had a look at www.telefragged.com (atomicgamer) and it just flat out depresses me. Why can't anyone crank out a decent game these days??? Even id software can't make a fun game anymore (Doom3, ETQW, etc)

I'm so tired of the boring 'realistic' games that randomly appear on the shelves. It's clear computer gaming isn't what it used to be 10 years ago, when the shelves at Wal Mart and other retailers were overflowing with PC game stock, now you get a few titles that you have to upgrade your PC to play and even then...It's JUST NOT ANY FUN. Take Age of Conan for example, I built a new PC just to play it and I didn't even want to log on after I made it past level 20. You know what I'm doing with all my fancy hardware??? I'm PLAYING ULTIMATE DOOM!!! THAT'S WHAT! Just to have a bit of 'fun' again!

What is wrong with the industry? What happened to all the gamers making games? Screw the graphics, give me something I enjoy playing! AARGH! *pant pant*

-I feel better now...

[binaryboy]

I know the feeling.  Often I'll play Deus Ex instead of more modern games.  The only recent game I really enjoyed was Portal.

[Rizimar]

I recently finished the Half-Life 2 Episode Pack, but I don't think I'll be replaying it anytime soon. I mean, it was a good game, but I don't want to go through all of the objectives, wait for long load times, or sit through boring cutscenes again. I'd just like to blast shit with the gravity gun.

But maybe this is the way game developers are trying to go. If a company releases a game with high replayability, the gamers will spend a lot of time playing that rather than buying and playing other games

[jleeto]

Don't you know?   All good things must be destroyed or fade away......

[Boone]

Look, if people keep swallowing the bullshit that games are only made by the main stream giants then nothing will change.  The fact is that a game can be made by individuals and they are doing so right now.  Take a look at the smaller indie projects and you'll find the games you seek - in most cases they are for free as well.  Or even better, swat up on some skills and help out on such a project.

Main stream games today are held back with rediculous "production values" such as unnecessary voice talent, CGI cutscenes and drab "film" scores.  And the biggest thing that pisses me off? Game studios of 50+ employees who complain about how difficult it is to produce games when they have been producing the same fucking game over and over again for a good decade.  Fair play to MMORPGs such as WOW, FFXI and D&DOnline but for the majority of single player games its a poor do.

But yeah, take a look at the indie scene as well.

[cmoreland]

You know you have a point there, but the indie developers will need to do something to get their name out there. The shareware scene needs to be brought back! Why kill a good thing? I know there are demo's but you have to dig for em most places.

Boone - know of any good indie games?

[Rizimar]

You know you have a point there, but the indie developers will need to do something to get their name out there. The shareware scene needs to be brought back! Why kill a good thing? I know there are demo's but you have to dig for em most places.

Boone - know of any good indie games?

I was going to say something similar: indie developers should find more ways to advertise their work.

[Bad Sector]

TrendygamerMagazine to the public: okay guys, we have advertising space here, who wants some?
EndlesspocketStudios: we are developing Repeater XXXXXXL: The Future and our Lead Producer got some screenshots of the game from our Lead Game Programming Team Manager. I told him to ask the Lead Design Team Manager if the latest revision of the design specification thinks the screenshots meet our standards and after i get some reply i'll contact you. In the meanwhile consider around $10000 for reserving the space. In the worst case i'm sure our Screenshooting Team will come up with something.
BigfatasspublisherCorp: how nice, some development studio of ours -i dont remember the name but i think it ends with ware or something, i'll have to check our books- have finished a game. Something about alien coming to earth and that kind of silly stuff. Anyway. We need the word to spread, here are some $30000 for your space. Also let me donate $1000 for your awesome work, i saw you have a popular web log there.
LonewolfOnemanbandCreations: uh, i only have -lemme see- $50. How much pixels can i buy for my game in your magazine? Please reply me this time!!! Thank you in advance.

@cmoreland:
Check TIGSource's Opinionated Guide to Independent Gaming.

EDIT: actually check TIGSource in general and dont forget to browse its indie games database. There are many gems hidden in there.

[Boone]

Do I know of any good games? Well, have you heard of Guardian of Paradise? Seen the remakes of Total Eclipse or Driller?  Check'em out because they are quite nice.  

[Bad Sector]

Guardian of Paradise a very good game, i loved it .

[DoomGater]

You know what I'm doing with all my fancy hardware??? I'm PLAYING ULTIMATE DOOM!!! THAT'S WHAT! Just to have a bit of 'fun' again!

But what's so wrong with that? Now you finally have time to play all the TCs and Megawads out there!
 I believe there is still enought stuff to keep DOOM interesting for another 15 Years or so

And - because of the high replay value- you can start all over again and again and again

[cmoreland]

Yeah, it's really fun when you play through Inferno on Ultra-Violence and get a kick out of kiting the mosters to each other trying to see how much ammo you can conserve considering it's pretty rough there at the first of that chapter...

Has anyone made it through the game on Nightmare?

[Bad Sector]

I dont think its possible.

[cmoreland]

I dont think its possible.

I think I hear a challenge....

[Boone]

Dont be a fool man, you're gonna get yourself killed!