What's up with that, anyway? Also, Codeweaver Stuff
by Sam Bacsa · 02/21/2006 (12:27 am) · 6 comments
This is a two-parter entry. First part is a rant, I suppose.
Well not really. Mainly my way of expressing my disappointment for the gaming industry lately.
I'm the kind of person who enjoys an immersive game which tells a clever story. Either that, or it's gotta have kickass graphics and allow me to blow up everything I come into contact with.
That's why at the top of my list of games that I'm waiting for is Unreal Tournament 2007. Truly a marvel of graphics and content. When I was at E3 last year, they demoed the engine and then showed the editor a bit. I've gotta say I'm quite excited. They're adding a lot of modifications to the onslaught mode. I've heard things about it basically being a persistent war that could technically last days or even weeks, with specific objectives and all kinds of stuff. That's some sweet immersion.
Quake Wars is going to be a seriously fun thing, too. From the demo at E3, it looks like it's going to be Quake ala UT in terms of game types and scenarios. I really enjoy the Quake world, so it's going to be awesome to finally play in other modes besides deathmatch and CTF.
Other than those two -- and this is where my disappointment shows -- the game industry isn't cranking out good games. Gone are the days of Deus Ex, where graphics weren't as important as gameplay. I still consider Deus Ex to be one of the best FPS/RPG titles of all time. The second one, Invisible War was a bit of a disappointment, but still quite enjoyable.
So what titles are lined up for this year? Things like The Sims 2 - Open for Business, which is just a work simulation. Hah, I don't have to simulate work; I can go to work. Then there's Lego Star Wars 2, which -- don't get me wrong, it's great for kids -- isn't exactly on the top of my "must buy" list. Looking down the list I see Everquest expansions, a Star Wars RTS, the next Full Spectrum Warrior, and an FPS utilizing the Far Cry engine.
So, I guess what I'm really trying to ask is where is my Neverwinter Nights 2? Where is the next release of Half-Life? When is the next Age of Empires due to begin development? Is there going to be a third Deus Ex? Does Eidos even know what it has with that franchise?
Are we really giving up immersion and story, and games that actually mean something for some cheap remakes of Star Wars and a couple of RTSes that aren't anything more than reinventing the RTS wheel? Where's the bleeding edge in games? Is it gone in favor of a cheap buck for rehashing something already done? Are games turning into Hollywood where the next best thing is a remake of a movie from a decade ago?
I suppose I should be the one to talk. I haven't exactly made a game in order to contribute something new into the industry... but seriously, I don't have nearly enough muscle to even attempt it.
Bah, I suppose I'll sit down and accept my Star Wars RTS #14 and throw my Deus Ex into the fireplace so I forget what makes a good game.
Lastly, some updates on Codeweaver:
I've been racking in bug reports and slowly fixing the issues that have cropped up. Surprisingly, there aren't as many as I expected when I released it.
I'm almost finished with the plugins, and will roll out an RC soon to those people who have contacted me in the interest of writing source-code control plugins, and the first set of available plugins.
If you are interested in making an SCC plugin, please contact me. Also, if you're interested in making a plugin in general for the rest of the community, please contact me.
Thanks,
Sam Bacsa
PS - Some pictures of an atomic blast, props to Mac Hall, which is the best webcomic on the internet :P
Well not really. Mainly my way of expressing my disappointment for the gaming industry lately.
I'm the kind of person who enjoys an immersive game which tells a clever story. Either that, or it's gotta have kickass graphics and allow me to blow up everything I come into contact with.
That's why at the top of my list of games that I'm waiting for is Unreal Tournament 2007. Truly a marvel of graphics and content. When I was at E3 last year, they demoed the engine and then showed the editor a bit. I've gotta say I'm quite excited. They're adding a lot of modifications to the onslaught mode. I've heard things about it basically being a persistent war that could technically last days or even weeks, with specific objectives and all kinds of stuff. That's some sweet immersion.
Quake Wars is going to be a seriously fun thing, too. From the demo at E3, it looks like it's going to be Quake ala UT in terms of game types and scenarios. I really enjoy the Quake world, so it's going to be awesome to finally play in other modes besides deathmatch and CTF.
Other than those two -- and this is where my disappointment shows -- the game industry isn't cranking out good games. Gone are the days of Deus Ex, where graphics weren't as important as gameplay. I still consider Deus Ex to be one of the best FPS/RPG titles of all time. The second one, Invisible War was a bit of a disappointment, but still quite enjoyable.
So what titles are lined up for this year? Things like The Sims 2 - Open for Business, which is just a work simulation. Hah, I don't have to simulate work; I can go to work. Then there's Lego Star Wars 2, which -- don't get me wrong, it's great for kids -- isn't exactly on the top of my "must buy" list. Looking down the list I see Everquest expansions, a Star Wars RTS, the next Full Spectrum Warrior, and an FPS utilizing the Far Cry engine.
So, I guess what I'm really trying to ask is where is my Neverwinter Nights 2? Where is the next release of Half-Life? When is the next Age of Empires due to begin development? Is there going to be a third Deus Ex? Does Eidos even know what it has with that franchise?
Are we really giving up immersion and story, and games that actually mean something for some cheap remakes of Star Wars and a couple of RTSes that aren't anything more than reinventing the RTS wheel? Where's the bleeding edge in games? Is it gone in favor of a cheap buck for rehashing something already done? Are games turning into Hollywood where the next best thing is a remake of a movie from a decade ago?
I suppose I should be the one to talk. I haven't exactly made a game in order to contribute something new into the industry... but seriously, I don't have nearly enough muscle to even attempt it.
Bah, I suppose I'll sit down and accept my Star Wars RTS #14 and throw my Deus Ex into the fireplace so I forget what makes a good game.
Lastly, some updates on Codeweaver:
I've been racking in bug reports and slowly fixing the issues that have cropped up. Surprisingly, there aren't as many as I expected when I released it.
I'm almost finished with the plugins, and will roll out an RC soon to those people who have contacted me in the interest of writing source-code control plugins, and the first set of available plugins.
If you are interested in making an SCC plugin, please contact me. Also, if you're interested in making a plugin in general for the rest of the community, please contact me.
Thanks,
Sam Bacsa
PS - Some pictures of an atomic blast, props to Mac Hall, which is the best webcomic on the internet :P
#2
Secondly - couldn't agree with you more - this spate of shitty uninspired games has to end some day.
Lastly - I will disagre with you about the genesis of ET:Quakewars. It is not Quake with UT like gameplay. The gameplay was innovated by ID/splash damage/ Nerve with Return to Castle Wolfenstein MP and then Splash Damage with Wolfenstein: ET. I think ET is the most fun FPS type game out at the moment...even though it is a free MP release of a canceled game. The graphics are not stupendous by current standards but the gameplay is a total blast. I think Splash Damage deserves most of the credit for that fun gameplay - not the makers of UT.
02/21/2006 (3:08 pm)
First of all - awesome work on Codeweaver.Secondly - couldn't agree with you more - this spate of shitty uninspired games has to end some day.
Lastly - I will disagre with you about the genesis of ET:Quakewars. It is not Quake with UT like gameplay. The gameplay was innovated by ID/splash damage/ Nerve with Return to Castle Wolfenstein MP and then Splash Damage with Wolfenstein: ET. I think ET is the most fun FPS type game out at the moment...even though it is a free MP release of a canceled game. The graphics are not stupendous by current standards but the gameplay is a total blast. I think Splash Damage deserves most of the credit for that fun gameplay - not the makers of UT.
#3
02/21/2006 (3:54 pm)
I feel your pain. I did a major computer upgrade for HL2 and Far Cry, and those were awesome games, but since then there really hasn't been anything that I have enjoyed. F.E.A.R. was OK, but too much of the same thing over and over. I can't wait until the HL2 sequel is out. I still think Far Cry had the best AI I've seen in a while - but Ubisoft has been a little preoccupied with things like the King Kong game and other not-so-good stuff when they could have been making Far Cry 2 or something better.
#4
02/21/2006 (7:39 pm)
I want to thank you for CW and I couldnt aggree with you more on the games that are coming out. The idea I have buzzing around in my head will hopefully change MMORPGs for the better. I was just telling someone the other day how MMORPG or so stagnent and are nothing more than chat apps. I am not to excited about these next gen consoles becuase all the games old hat they just look a lot better. Where is my next Super Mario 64?? We need some innovation here and I think the only people who can provide that is people like us who are not tied to large companies telling us what our games should be.
#5
NWN2 is coming my man! The mod I level design for is preparing already. www.dorMaeglin.com
One direction I want to see gaming move twoards is live entertainment. Most large scale MMO's focus on providing a static stable world to game in. I have one world for this and its "boring". Where are the acts of god and conflicts between factions in game. Why arent there world events? If there are world events why dont they change the world?
I have run world events on Dor launching a war and mowing over half the country side with draconions. Level designing the stages of war in iterations based on player involvment. In the end we ran a quest to rebuild the capital city sending out players to mine locations and provide the materials to dwarven workmen in there war torn capital city. The mod was at max population during most of the event and it lasted around three weeks.
Even the regular events that occur on Dor give the game the extra level immersion I look for myself.
I havent played WOW in ages but im sure I could login and go back to the last spot I was leveling and find not much changed. Still the same spawns in the same spots with the same random walk pattern. The only thing that might happen for excitement is some unbalanced PVP.
ok I guess that turned into a mini rant / mod plug but the point is live gaming is FUN.
did I say thanks again for CW? BTW my eyes thank you for adding a darktheme as a default option.
- Jesse
02/22/2006 (12:10 am)
first off thanks again for CodeWeaver! NWN2 is coming my man! The mod I level design for is preparing already. www.dorMaeglin.com
One direction I want to see gaming move twoards is live entertainment. Most large scale MMO's focus on providing a static stable world to game in. I have one world for this and its "boring". Where are the acts of god and conflicts between factions in game. Why arent there world events? If there are world events why dont they change the world?
I have run world events on Dor launching a war and mowing over half the country side with draconions. Level designing the stages of war in iterations based on player involvment. In the end we ran a quest to rebuild the capital city sending out players to mine locations and provide the materials to dwarven workmen in there war torn capital city. The mod was at max population during most of the event and it lasted around three weeks.
Even the regular events that occur on Dor give the game the extra level immersion I look for myself.
I havent played WOW in ages but im sure I could login and go back to the last spot I was leveling and find not much changed. Still the same spawns in the same spots with the same random walk pattern. The only thing that might happen for excitement is some unbalanced PVP.
ok I guess that turned into a mini rant / mod plug but the point is live gaming is FUN.
did I say thanks again for CW? BTW my eyes thank you for adding a darktheme as a default option.
- Jesse
Torque Owner Bryan Stroebel
MMORPG's have become too much work after a long days work. Don't get me wrong, I'm still addicted to them but it takes too long to get to the good stuff. one day you wake up and notice that an entire year has gone by and you still suck (SWG I want my year back!).