Rant number 321
I've been computer playing games for a long time. From the pixelated magic of the Commodore 64, to the retro wonder of Amiga 500, with its (at the time) stunning graphical and audio capabilities to the modern day - I've seen games grow up from a niche entertainment to a mainstream addiction.
Most of the changes have been pretty great. The graphics have got much better, the sound is great, the controllers have evolved to fit our hands (and hopefully not the other way round,) and have changed altogether - in terms of the Wii, connect and Playstation eye.
Most of these changes have been welcome indeed - and although gaming is more expensive than the days where it was more niche - much good has come of of this in general.
The production values, voice acting, animation and graphics have really done well through the injection of money the industry has received.
It's hurt creativity badly though in some ways. The days of genius games with a secondary focus on graphics have ended. Look a worms for instance? I had the first one on the Amiga and almost wore out the disc. It's graphics sucked, but the gameplay was fabulous. Worms is onto around its 6th or 7th iteration now and little has changed except the look. I just think that proves that an original idea is timeless.
The other big problem I have with money in games is the fact that they need to keep milking you for more. Back in the day, you'd either have sequel games or at the very least an 'expansion pack.'
'Expansion packs' were package up content to add to games. Generally you got quite a bit extra - maybe 30% extra levels, some new guns - that sort of thing.
These days though, they have gone out of fashion - as it costs money to package things up in this way.
What we get these days them instead - is bloody DLC (downloadable content.)
In principal - DLC is just like an expansion pack. The thing is though - its too easy an earner for the game makers to squeeze you for money.
It'll cost 9.99 for a gun pack, then 14.99 for an extra 5 questions, then an extra 5 for a new costume. You could spend a frightening amount of money on all of this stuff.
The other really irritating thing is that they deliberately withhold content from games so that they can sell it to you later on.
I get that they need to make cash, but I hate being taken for a ride.
Rant over.
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