100°

The case for more honest games

Nightmare Mode's Adam Harshberger outlines some of the reasons games could benefit from more honesty in their storytelling.

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nightmaremode.net
Godmars2904738d ago

There's never really been "honesty" in video games. At least not when cutscenes started to be introduced.

In square titles especially characters are often 10 times as powerful and even smarter in a cutscene than they ever are in an actual game. The Mass Effect series is just as guilty.

Irishguy954738d ago

Hmm, well in the cutscenes they can get killed in one icicle. In game they can you know, survive Supernovas

Capt-FuzzyPants4738d ago

Good point. SPOILER (just kidding everyone should know this by now) Aerith died by getting stabbed in the back. I'm pretty sure she took way harder hits than that in combat.

Tuxedo_Mask4738d ago

Did he really say FFVII and then start talking about Squall?

Someone needs to review their Roman numerals.

Relientk774738d ago (Edited 4738d ago )

He used VIII the first 2 times, and then the last time he used VII. Typo

edit @ below: Yeah, he didnt lol

Skateboard4738d ago

That cutscene is sooo badass. My first FF game and that intro made me jizz from the awesomness.

UnitSmiley4738d ago

So, why are Wrpgs so popular then? All you do is "do shit". The stories are hardly imaginative and the characters personality and attachment to the player is none existent. The game focus is literally on exploration and doing meaningless tasks that hold no true impact to the main plot line.

Yet right now they all seem to sell pretty well, though I have no freaking idea why.

Capt-FuzzyPants4738d ago

It baffles me too. I enjoy them sometimes. But I get bored with them too. It's all about character creation and I care more about somebody like Sora in KH more than someone I created.

UnitSmiley4738d ago

Yeah exactly. To me, if an rpg has memorable characters and story that you can recall even +10 years after playing it, as well as providing you with emotional attachment to what is going on, then it is a success.

Despite the good wrpg sales though, I doubt anyone will recall any character in those games. Whether it's the main character the player created, or the supporting characters that give you "tasks" to do along the way, they have no real personality or connection to players.

TheLyonKing4738d ago

Honesty is not needed, using 8 as an example doesn't help your point. Gameplay takes back seats over story telling.

I would Prefere a well written story even if it causes some anomlies within gameplay such as surviving mega attacks and summons but getting unconscious by Edeas ice attack.

300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

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gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent751d 15h ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils1d 7h ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

3d ago Replies(1)
isarai3d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning773d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher2d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor2d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde2d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z1d 23h ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey861d 18h ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

2d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (63)
90°

The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative is close to its final deadline

Ross Scott—also known as Accursed Farms on YouTube—has been fighting tooth and nail for almost a full year to help spearhead game preservation. Starting after it was announced that Ubisoft's The Crew would be shutting down, permanently ending support for the game, Scott launched the "Stop Killing Games" initiative.

That makes a twofold deadline for the Stop Killing Games initiative. Or, at least, one headed up by Scott: The UK petition, which ends July 14, and the EU Citizens' Initiative, which ends July 3.

M3talDiamond6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

If you live in the EU then Please sign this or our game ownership rights and game preservation is
at stake. I know there isnt much time left but please consider signing the petition

-Foxtrot5d ago

I never knew Ross Scott was doing this

I love Freemans Mind

Inverno5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

People whine and in the end don't do a thing. Then whine more when they get screwed some more smh. If this makes it then it'll be monumental for consumers. That Pirate software guy was no help either smh.

GazCBG4d ago

The EU Date is the 31st July not the 3rd

Show all comments (6)
170°

Xbox June Update: Copilot for Gaming Available on Mobile, Aggregated Gaming Library, and More

There are many exciting updates this month for Xbox. Copilot for Gaming is available now for early preview on mobile and will be coming to PC soon. Xbox PC app introduces a wave of new updates: Aggregated gaming library gives players quick access to games from Xbox, Game Pass, and other leading PC storefronts, and with publisher channels players can browse their favorite franchises. Updates for the Xbox Console includes customization for Most Recently Used, free-to-play benefits, Game Hubs, and dialog improvements for game saves.

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news.xbox.com
darthv727d ago

"Players can now hide system apps, pin favorites to the list, and reduce the number of tiles displayed. This update is part of our ongoing effort to make Home more personal, flexible, and responsive to feedback."

This is welcomed, i like a less cluttered home screen.

Profchaos7d ago

Not everything needs co pilot ms

1Victor6d ago

Gotta be a slow news day when a 18 hours and 3 comments (now 4)makes it to the front page🤷🏿
.
Well anything that adds and help gamers is a good thing even if some don’t need it there’ll be more that will use it.

darthv726d ago

Well its MS news... those are usually pretty dry, unless it has something to do with another game being ported to PS. then its top of the pops.

Obscure_Observer6d ago

"Well its MS news... those are usually pretty dry, unless it has something to do with another game being ported to PS. then its top of the pops."

Oh look no further than the "Upcoming layoffs at MS" topic. It will easily top the Hottest of the week.

Special guests like Mr. Dead might also show up. You just watch.