200°

Are there any new ideas? Is gaming lacking originality?

Are original, innovative games a thing of the past? Megabits looks at whether games developers play it a little too safe nowadays, sticking with a tried and tested formula rather than actually doing something new!

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megabitsofgaming.com
ClownBelt5038d ago

No. Journalism lacks originality.

lociefer5038d ago (Edited 5038d ago )

so reviewrs / ^^game journalists^^ r expecting every new game built to have new ideas or else it fails ? well i got news for u , your the ones who fail

Double Toasted5038d ago

I find it somewhat ironic the person first chooses a shooter for their reference. They seem to consider having a cover system as being non-imaginative. Thats fine, but I look at it as a necessity. Who here isn't going to take cover if being shot at in real life? Everyone will hit the deck when they here gun shots unexpectedly. Marcus just happens to be trained to take a defensive cover as opposed to a face down cowardice resort. Not all games with a cover system has it as their main game play mechanic like Gears, which is somewhat of a shame, I know, but Gears still holds the bar for that mechanic. Gears 2 holds it, anyway. Until other games adopt the "go into cover-change your mind don't go into cover" type of system Gears will continue to hold that bar. Its perfect...

I'm not bashing the writer, I'm just addressing something they wrote. I like the article btw.

ShinMaster5038d ago

Gears doesn't hold the bar for the cover mechanic.

Cliff Bleszinski said himself that Uncharted influenced Gears of War 2's improved cover system back in 2008. Which goes to show that gears wasn't the best with that mechanic.
Then in 2009, Uncharted 2 was released with an even better and more flexible use of the cover system.
Hope Gears 3's cover systems stays as good or improve a bit.

plumber155038d ago

AND YET when you have a game like LBP there not any orignality

webeblazing5038d ago

i dont get this new idea thing. we didnt have anything new since 10 yrs we need variety cause everybody make games in one genre is a death wish and gets boring

Lich1205038d ago (Edited 5038d ago )

@shinGino

I'm not sure I can agree there. Not about cliff stating it was used for reference, but the way the camera is implemented in Uncharted is much looser than gears (in gears you can never look at the camera) which I think lends to tighter feeling shoot outs. Of course, the Uncharted style camera works much better for platforming and displaying environmental objects (spike traps etc.). I don't think anyone did it better, rather they had to pick the camera scheme which worked best for their game. However, personally I found the competitive Gunplay (not the campaign but in multiplayer) in Uncharted 2 a little loose for my taste.

On Topic, I think people forget how little innovation their were in titles a long time ago. Now we have tons of indie games that offer all sorts of creative outlets. Sure the blockbuster titles are kinda cookie cutter, but thats why they're blockbuster titles. Just like hollywood.

Shepherd 2145038d ago

The only i have heard about Uncharted influencing Gears of War 2's cover system is that Cliff himself said they included the control scheme of Uncharted to cater to those not warming up to the default scheme. Ive never seen anything other than that.

Also Gears didnt make the cover system, but save for a couple exceptions, Gears is one of the best example of the cover system and helped make cover more mainstream in the current gen.

I dont much like the cover system in general though. If you think about it you shouldnt go into cover and be able to clearly see everything without the character actually peaking out himself. But they are still very fun.

ExplosionSauce5038d ago

When the camera is fixed behind a character...wouldn't that lead to strafing? Which is ok in games, but still kind of unrealistic.

I like the flexibility of the camera in Uncharted. Being able to look back at the camera helps with running away when needed.
Although when you aim and shoot, you don't look at the camera, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Lich1205037d ago

@Explosion

I agree, strafing happens a lot more in games than it would in real life. I can't say I really have a problem with it though as I always felt it was a substitute for the inability to look one direction while running another. Since in real life we don't always run the same direction we are looking.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 5037d ago
Donny5038d ago (Edited 5038d ago )

quantic dreams are making truly ORIGINAL GAMES. check out heavy rain, its brilliant!

why the dissagrees? did you dissagree that the game was brilliant? if so tell me why, or tell me why. your pissing me off.

frjoethesecond5038d ago

I don't get it either. Heavy rain was fantastic and a new idea.

SeanRL5038d ago

It's just the stealth trolls coming out from under their bridge. Just let them have their fun.

Jaces5038d ago

We need more Icos, Shadow of the Colossus's, and Okami's this gen.

That's what springs to mind when I hear "original games".

pippoppow5038d ago

For the most part it's true. There are less genres than previous gens and less original content. Too many safe games like shooters, racers, sports and similar open world type games. But then the masses it it up so I guess it's a good business move.

Good to read articles that point out a truth. What is successful gets beaten to death, stifling creativity. It's easy money after all.

It seems like most of the time Devs make games that are simple because they think gamers will become confused. Insulting actually.

Yes there are Devs that veer from thje norm but they are unfortunately few.

jessupj5038d ago

Actually it's the casuals they think they might confuse, which is true to be honest. Almost all games now are catered for the skilless masses, your hand is held from begining to end. I honestly think casuals have almost ruined this generation and will continue to ruin my favourite hobby.

aviator1895038d ago (Edited 5038d ago )

As long as any game is fun and has a good story that will last me a while, I'm in.
And these "lacking-originality" ; articles are getting pretty lame too.

Quagmire5038d ago

Was Uncharted original? No. Was it good? Fuck no, it was Brilliant!

You dont need originality to make a good game, just making sure everything works together, makes a great game.

T9X695038d ago

Was Uncharted 2 good? Yes. Was it brilliant? IMO No, it was just a good game.

deadreckoning6665038d ago (Edited 5038d ago )

"lol It was brilliant"

The multiplayer is brilliant....for a third person shooter. The SP was a great experience, but it I wouldn't play it over and over again. Batman AA has more replayability single playerwise IMO.

bjornbear5038d ago (Edited 5038d ago )

U2 is brilliant, whether you enjoyed it or not, in game design terms, as a game looking at it objectively, its absolutely phenomenal.

You don't need to like something to be able to appreciate its craftsmanship.

Spenok5038d ago

The game was absolutly fucking amazing. I dont know what you were smoking when you played it. But it must have been something that made you forget it.

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mac4u105038d ago

Uncharted 2 still blows me away till this day, just the cinematic alone is mind blowing!

SoSLy5038d ago

One of the best games... Original story as well but they did took some notes on Indiana Jones movies and Lara Croft

omi25p5038d ago (Edited 5038d ago )

every single genre type has been done, every single possible form of a certain genre has been done, every story type has been done every form of gameplay has been done games will forever be samey the differents is how it runs ECT call of duty vs battlefield both modern first person shooters, both completely different.

grand theft auto vs saints row both free roaming 3rd person shooters based around crime. Both completely different.

NecrumSlavery5038d ago

oddworld is original. it's only borrow is from lemmings, but it was the first to have console voice speakcommands, full control in possessions, seemless cinematic screen transitions, industry vs mysticism theme, fork in the road pacing, good evil endings, and multiplane distance in its puzzle/platform glory. I'm a classic oddworld fanboy btw

jessupj5038d ago

I still think the first 2 Oddworld games are the best games in the history of gaming. I know it sounds corny and cliche'ish but there was honestly something magical about those games. I've never felt more immersed. You totally believed this world actually existed.

instrumentalist5037d ago

Oddworld fanboy reporting in :)

theonlylolking5038d ago

The younger gamers that I have talked to have many ideas. Its just that the same people that have been doing those jobs for years have run out of ideas.

The new generation of devs will have new ideas and we will get new games again.

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80°

Ar Tonelico Qoga: Knell Of Ar Ciel Retro Review – Love Conquers All

Gary Green said: You’ll be forgiven if you haven’t heard of the Ar Tonelico trilogy. The previous two games arrived so late in the PS2’s life-cycle that they simply went unnoticed. While most were tinkering with their shiny new PS3s, Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia and Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica were being ‘returned to sender’ by your local Game stores. Luckily, you won’t need to have played them to understand and appreciate this third and final chapter, Qoga (pronounced k-yoga) tells the story of a racial war between humans and Reyvateils, a breed of biologically produced female cyborgs capable of reproduction, while still having a digital mind.

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pslegends.com
Giga_Gaia2h ago

Oh my god. I kinda wish this would get a remaster on PS5, it would be awesome. One of my favorite games on PS3.

That and 3D Dot Game Heroes. It's a shame that some stuff is stuck on PS3.

Knightofelemia9m ago

Ar Tonelico 3 is good I still prefer the first AT game. The music is solid in all the games and Akiko Shikata is a very talented singer bringing life to the game. Only annoying part is well I find is Saki I always choose Finnel or Tyria. KOEI so needs to HD remaster the franchise along with Ar Nosurge and Ciel Nosurge since it never came to North America. I would day one the Ar Toneliceo games and Ar Nosurge if they were remastered.

60°

Pacific Rim Pinball comes to Pinball FX

This could be fun as they make great tables. Go big or go extinct. Prime your senses for a neural handshake and step into the cockpit of a Jaeger. It is on you to cancel the apocalypse when Pacific Rim Pinball comes to Pinball FX on May 16.

280°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

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theverge.com
darthv721d 5h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle16h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188113h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio13h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning778h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga15h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv722h ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

shinoff218315h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga14h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan9h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit2h ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus238h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv728h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

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purple10118h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos18h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-7h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac17h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad17h ago(Edited 17h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10116h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic15h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead8h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

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