A somewhat brief opinion column on why Peter Molyneux is actually a man to look up to.
Quote: "For those who don’t know, and how can you not, Peter Molyneux recently gave an interview in which he broke into tears while discussing previous gaming projects and how they failed to meet the high expectations that he had created by talking them up prior to release.
The interview in this case was for a KickStarter project in which he hoped to revive one of his first games, for the current generation. But mostly everyone just remembered it as the Molyneux cry-fest.
Now at the risk of a few “Leave Peter Alone” parodies, I wish to spend today’s column, my dear readers, dearest of all the gamers in the world (especially those who don’t read these), explaining why I think the ‘Neux is not all that bad. In fact, I would go so far as to say I admire the man."
"The Barcelona-based (Spain) indie games publisher JanduSoft and indie games developer Juan-Mod, are today very glad and proud to announce that their 3D arcade action-platformer "Teared", is now available for PC (via Steam) and consoles (PS5, PS4, and the Nintendo Switch) via digital stores." - Jonas Ek, TGG.
Laundry, cleaning and classic arcade games all in glorious virtual reality
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord brings back the classic experience with revamped graphics and other improvements.
Ultimately, I'm not interested in visionaries. I'm interested in good games. If a developer can't deliver that, then they're not worth my time. Molyneux is certainly a visionary, but his games fall short. It's as simple as that.
I admire a lot of developers. Warren Spector is one. Deus Ex, Ultima Underworld, and System Shock are all awesome games. However, Epic Mickey 1 and 2 are crappy games. I don't praise those games or give them a pass simply because I like Spector.
The same goes for Molyneux. I love Populous, B&W, and Fable: Lost Chapters. However, all his games since the first Fable have been crap. There's no reason to give the man a pass simply because he once made good games. If my steak is cooked terribly at my favorite restaurant, I'm not going to smile and say "oh well, at least the steak I had two weeks ago was yummy". And I especially won't say that if the chef is constantly bragging about how much better and how revolutionary today's steak is going to be.
I admire his vision. At least he aims high and tries to make truly unique games. He's been failing lately but that happens. *shrugs* I hope he gets back in sync.
I think why many people admire Peter is because of the enormous passion he has for the industry and his projects, regardless of whether they meet expectations.
He is genuine in his fervour and love for the industry even if that passion doesn't translate itself into the quality people expect from him as a result of his own bold statements.
His recent emotional interview where he essentially cried because of his failings are a testament to that fact.
I admire the man for his honesty and love for the industry more so than the games he has produced. In a world where developers are merely content with spewing out generic rhetoric, Peter feels like he has to go above and beyond the call to really try and drive the industry forward.
In short, he is a visionary with arguably little success. I am not going to be one of the several keyboard warriors who direct hate or insults towards him simply because he failed to do what he set out to do. He really does try hard and for that, I respect him.
Molyneux is garbage IMO. I've never played a game of his & don't feel like I missed anything. Spector is only slightly more relevant IMO also. Molyneux made Fable!?, don't care! Why is this on the PS3 page anyway? Hopefully he keeps his crap on PC & Xbox cuz I personally dodge his games like I dodge girls with herpes. Both are a lifetime disease and nothing good comes of it.
Sorry if I sound trollish, not necessarily my intent. I just get a bit peeved when he's held up as a "pioneer" like that alone should make me love his ideas today. Pioneer= old, & his new idea is to have us fund his old/tired ideas for the same type of game he's been making for 20+ years & still hasn't got it right! I obviously won't be sad if his kickstarter doesn't get what it needs. I think it would be a good reality check about what ppl think about his future of games. Ugh...
/end rant
Is there going to be an article "Why I admire David Cage."