Compelling Games (was Re: [ale] OT: ugh, nasty decision)

[Jeff Hubbs]

A serious question I have, though, is where are the compelling and
interesting games?

I have not dealt with game consoles since the Atari 5200.  But, when
I've seen people play modern console games, I've been very unimpressed
with what I've seen once I've looked past the graphics themselves.  I've
noticed a tendency where the representation of "you" in the game is more
complex than you could possibly control with just a few buttons, and so
the game provides the complex control *for* you while you provide coarse
input through the controller.  I noticed this in some kind of BMX game -
the turns and flips were but eye candy; the player was only supplying a
crude level of control.

I have a nephew who will play Grand Theft Auto endlessly, and I've
noticed that 1) how well or poorly you control the car didn't really
seem to matter 2) there doesn't seem to be any long-term or even
medium-term objective to the game (the accumulation of "points" isn't
really something I find all that interesting or desirable) 3) the
conditions of play never seem to change.

I have always shown more interest in games that require analog control -
driving/flight sims, for example - or games that give you the latitude
to cause or interact with unexpected conditions.  I've wished that there
would be a video game that would let you experience some of what Aldrin
and Armstrong experienced during the first Moon landing.  

I appreciate dead-accurate driving sims.  They had some sort of
three-screen Ferrari simulator at Dave and Buster's that I liked,
although what I miss about that is having any kind of G-force feedback,
even if it were just things pushing against my legs or some such.  It
always screws me up to feel nothing when I turn.



On Mon, 2002-12-02 at 08:18, cfowler wrote:
> Who cares if there are 128games.  Most of us here may buy only 20.  What
> you want is a selection of the best games with the best graphics. Xbox
> and Xbox exclusive games I think are the best.  
> 
>  
> On Sat, 2002-11-30 at 18:16, Christopher R. Curzio wrote:
> > I'd recommend the PS2 over the X-Box. Not because of anti-Microsoft
> > sentiment, however, but the Playstation 2 has a wider selection of games
> > available. Many game companies are doing the multiple platform deal too,
> > so a lot of games out for the X-Box are also available on the PS2. Plus,
> > you get out-of-box DVD functionality as well. 
> > 
> > Irrelevant as it may be, Sony is sort of supporting Linux on its console
> > rather than trying to defeat it. They have a Linux developers kit
> > available, if you're into that sort of thing.
> > 
> > All of the above taken into consideration, this makes it a gift you can
> > have fun with too. ;)
> > 
> > -- 
> > Christopher R. Curzio     |  Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax
> > http://www.accipiter.org  |  si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
> > :wq!
> > 
> > 
> > Thus Spake "Robert L. Harris" <Robert.L.Harris at rdlg.net>:
> > Sat, 30 Nov 2002 18:06:07 -0500
> > 
> > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > >   So I go to compusa to get a powersupply and fan for my wife's computer
> > > Friday, mostly needed to get my 3yr old out of the house so the family
> > > could set up for his birthday party.  Did you know Moon walks are alot
> > > of fun when you get 4 adults ranging from 20-30 in there???  I'm still
> > > sore.
> > >  
> > >   At any rate I was looking at consoles since we're considering getting
> > > one for my older son (5) and of course me to play on for Christmas.
> > > I've pretty much secured financing at the next pay day from the CFO
> > > (read wife).
> > > 
> > >   I used to have the hardcore anti-M$ at all costs until I realized how
> > > much good they've done for OpenSource and Linux.  At CompUSA though my
> > > brother in laws were playing some games on the demo of the xbox.  I took
> > > the PS2.  The Xbox did look a little better but that may have been the
> > > games.  I was playing some anime mech story, they were playing football.
> > > 
> > >   Does anyone really have any solid experience between the two and which
> > > is better?  It'll have to play games for my 5/6 year old and myself as
> > > well.
> > > 
> > >   Thoughts/theories on which is better to play on, no anti-M$ flames on
> > > this right now please, I need solid facts so I can get a decision in
> > > time for christmas purchase.
> > > 
> > > Robert
> > > 
> > > 
> > > :wq!
> > > -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > ---- Robert L. Harris                     | PGP Key ID: FC96D405
> > >                                
> > > DISCLAIMER:
> > >       These are MY OPINIONS ALONE.  I speak for no-one else.
> > > FYI:
> > >  perl -e 'print
> > >  $i=pack(c5,(41*2),sqrt(7056),(unpack(c,H)-2),oct(115),10);'
> > > 
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > > Ale at ale.org
> > > http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > > 
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Ale at ale.org
> > http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
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