The future of gaming

[Charziken 13]

Well, I've been thinking. Videogames have come a long way since Pong, but they've all followed basically the same path, with gaming's only real innovations being the analog stick and rumble feature, both made by Nintendo. I'm not counting the Virtual Boy because it was short-lived, nor the Revolution, as it's not out yet. But, my point is, aside from those two things, all that's changed about gaming, really, is graphics. But now, I mean, look at games like Halo 2, and Resident Evil 4, and Star Wars Rouge Squadron II. Those games all have incredible graphics, but, are basically similar to the original 8-bit games, as we play them the same way, don't we? So, what will happen now, now that we have graphics that make the real world look drab? I really think that unless we get a new way to play, gaming will die, as really, it can't change much if it continues along this path. So, what do you think the future of gaming will hold? Will it change? Will it remain the same, and die? Discuss.

 

[PDL]

I wished that gaming stayed in 2-D... rather then making the jump to 3-D...

 

[Paradox]

It won't die through a lack of originality. There are few movies with original plots, and the same applies to gaming. Graphics aren't the only thing to change since Pong, there's AI, physics, the number of character's on screen, music, interfaces (Eye-toy)/controllers (shoulder buttons, d-pads etc), the length of games, the massive areas to explore (Compare Halo to Doom)

Halo 2, Resi 4, etc play competely different to their 8-bit counterparts. You'll be dissapointed if you expect a change bigger, than the evolution of games from the NES to XBox

 

[WinterSnowblind]

This is essentially why Nintendo have chosen to fall out of the current console race, and try and create their own market, that's more focused on gameplay. It's a move that's either going to fall flat on it's face, or that every other company is going to follow after.. We're currently at a point were graphics can't really look much better than they already do. That would be were all the "Xbox 1.5" critizism is coming from, there isn't such a massive leap forward this gen, it's more about having more detail, better draw distance, more things on screen, bigger worlds, etc.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80/Tashums/1770260subakirap038ob.jpg

That's about the height of graphics we've seen at the moment though, and the people still look like they're made fo wax.

 

[The Battousai]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80...kirap038ob.jpg

that looks amazing, but I think graphics could still get better. Developers haven't even used 50% of 360's potential power and games already look pretty good. PS3 is going to be even more powerful (I expect them to be noticibly better but not a half generation ahead) so graphics in the future will probably look better than this. An older friend told me that no one could concieve that 2D games would ever advance further but when playstation and N64 were released people were shocked. Soon games may look photo-realistic but I don't think that will happen until PS4 and Xbox 720 era.

 

[WinterSnowblind]

that looks amazing, but I think graphics could still get better. Developers haven't even used 50% of 360's potential power and games already look pretty good. PS3 is going to be even more powerful (I expect them to be noticibly better but not a half generation ahead) so graphics in the future will probably look better than this. An older friend told me that no one could concieve that 2D games would ever advance further but when playstation and N64 were released people were shocked. Soon games may look photo-realistic but I don't think that will happen until PS4 and Xbox 720 era.

Just for the record, that wasn't an Xbox game, it was running on Sega's new Arcade hardware. Both the 360 and PS3 will likely have better looking games than that later in their life time, but if you're expecting something better than that when it launches, you're kidding yourself.

Photo realism is a long way off.

 

[IGP: Net Wanderer]

Well, I've been thinking. Videogames have come a long way since Pong, but they've all followed basically the same path, with gaming's only real innovations being the analog stick and rumble feature, both made by Nintendo. I'm not counting the Virtual Boy because it was short-lived, nor the Revolution, as it's not out yet. But, my point is, aside from those two things, all that's changed about gaming, really, is graphics. But now, I mean, look at games like Halo 2, and Resident Evil 4, and Star Wars Rouge Squadron II. Those games all have incredible graphics, but, are basically similar to the original 8-bit games, as we play them the same way, don't we? So, what will happen now, now that we have graphics that make the real world look drab? I really think that unless we get a new way to play, gaming will die, as really, it can't change much if it continues along this path. So, what do you think the future of gaming will hold? Will it change? Will it remain the same, and die? Discuss.

That's too true : )

The games back in the SNES, I'll include the GBA too, were the best, and so far, I haven't came along much games that can beat them to it.

Tetrisphere was one of the late 3D Tetris game, but don't think it was a match for the JPN BattleGaiden Magic Tetris (Strongly advise to try out everyone! ^_^) that was out for SNES back in the 1987,1993.

GundamW for the SNES, believe it or not is still going around right now XD and one of the multiplayer Beat 'em up games I play most XD

Probably the only games I'm into these days are the RPGs, a few of them are still going great : ) 3D or 2D. Games like Summon Night Crafts Sword Story Series JPN, Riviera JPN, Dark Chronicles (Abit repetitive there), Tales Series (Up to Destiny - _ -) still matches games like Terragnigma for the SNES, Secret of Mana, FFs and Chrono Triggers were good too : ) P Too much to list)

But really, I miss the old Bomberman Type, and platformers like Twimby T_T Mario World games were good too : )

Think these days, some of these types are losing it, and right now, games are just repeating itself, just with different graphics, music and storyline (I don't mind storyline though). Probably explains why I hardly buy games... because they're the same all the time...

Storylines are starting to repeat itself too - It's either *looking at the last boss, "See that guy, you want him to die..." or "I'll become the best!" or "We're off to save the world!", good storylines... So far the ones I like (that I have played) is Disgaea's, Shadow Hearts 2, Tales of Phantasia, Tales of Destiny series, and probably Dark Chronicles a little in the PS2 listings.

The GBA Anime RPGs are different, I like most of the storylines and gameplay. Anyway, mainly I like most of the GBA games better, can't forgot Made in Wario games, Advance Wars, Mario Tennis! ^_^

Think the companys need some research... Graphics isn't much of a problem, it does count, it's the game and story that really counts : P

Right now, I'm expecting a MMORPG age to arrive in the future, because that's what's it's leading to : P Technology is increasing, so that will be something coming too.



btw... we CAN live without games (Not completely), otherwise we'll be zombies : P

 

[Charziken 13]

Okay, now I really can't wait for that downloadable game library on the Revolution, because the SNES sounds better by the moment! (Hopefully third-party developers will contribute to that)

Back on topic, Shiny Charizard, I can see your point, but 3D really is the limit. You can't very well invent a new dimension for games besides up/down, left/right, in between directions, now can you? Now correct me if I'm wrong here, because I basically just know that 2D is like the directions on a compass, up down left right, and 3D is that, with the factors of height and depth, so I could be way off. And power can really only go so far. So it may not be in the PS4/Xbox 720/Revolution2 era. But it will happen someday. Then what? My point is, our current gaming style has its limits, so what will we do when they are reached? Now, I'm gonna sound like a Nintendo fanboy here, but I really think we need a new style of gaming, like the Revolution controller. I wont resay what's been said a thousand times, but really, I think that it is the future, or at least the first step.

 

[Glowstick_cult]

Now, I'm gonna sound like a Nintendo fanboy here, but I really think we need a new style of gaming, like the Revolution controller. I wont resay what's been said a thousand times, but really, I think that it is the future, or at least the first step.

You make the Revolution controller sound good, kudos to you ^_^

But I agree. We're going to need something different for future gaming. I'm not saying the Revolution controller is ideal (and don't get me started on Eye-toys and dance mats, bleh), but once the limits are reached, then what? What if we do manage to get photo realistic games? You can't get more realistic than realistic, can't you? Bah, I dunno.
I'm pretty sure gaming won't die, but they're just going to have to look for new ways of implenting it.

And who says graphics don't count? It might not matter to some, but the vast majority of casual gamers swoon over awesome graphics. The people I know don't care about gameplay, and will happily sit and gawk at Sonic Heroes or a movie spin off title any day.

 

[Pokefan20010]

Virtual reality... do you think the big companies (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo) will make virtual reality consoles in about 2012-2020? Graphics don't matter, as long as they aren't really bad

 

[Glowstick_cult]

Virtual reality... do you think the big companies (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo) will make virtual reality consoles in about 2012-2020? Graphics don't matter, as long as they aren't really bad

Graphics do in fact matter. Maybe not to you, but you're vastly outnumbered by everyone else in the world. There are some open minded people out there who don't need games that merely look good, just so long as they play right, but for the majority of people 'the looks maketh the game.'

And a virtual reality RPG or FPS... *faints*

 

[Wobbuffet fan]

I would be willing to be that most of those people grew up in the PS1 or PS2 generation. I don't like these people because they seem to appreciate the "prettiness" of a game rather than if the darned thing does what it's supposed to do: keep you busy. Sure, I like realistic graphics and stuff, but graphics is like a drug: you see it, you get used to it, you desire something more, you get it, you get used to it, cycle continues.

I'm glad that somebody else out there thinks the way I do about videogames: they're supposed to help to pass the time in an entertaining way. I always try to find ways of maximizing the time that I get out of a video game.

The graphics bit is also true. Unfortunately for me, I went directly from the NES to the GCN. When I look at N64 games that are praised for great gameplay, I don't think I could stand some of them just because of the graphics that I have now grown accustomed to (except for both Zelda N64 games and others). I fear that this may happen with some of my favorite GCN titles that aim for realistic graphics (Jedi Knight II, Prince of Persia). Games like Battallion Wars will endure because it's difficult to rate "cartoon" graphics in the sub-conscious mind.

Another point: I don't see how people can compare 2-D and 3-D so quickly. 2-D games. They both provide COMPLETELY different gameplay experiences (Try going from 2-D Sonic to 3-D Sonic). Both have (pretty-much) universal hits gameplay-wise (Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario 64). The 3-D format isn't the problem. The real problem, as Latios stated, is graphics. Unfortunately, we can do nothing about those ignorant people who praise graphics- it's our own fault to begin with.

 

[Kez]

I hgave also wandered what is going to ghappen to gaming in the current years. I can remember when games like Alex the Kid and sonic were amazing, which they still are, but because of the inability to save a game back then they could not be to long. I think that the onlt major things that will change in games now is the lewngth and how it is controlled. What else is there? I think that this next generation of games is split. One side is about interactivity, mostly nintendo, and the other is about graphics. But there are a lot of gaming companies which are concentrating on interactivity latly. One example is the Eye toy and those quiz gemes with the buzzers. I have to agree with both sides of how inportant graphics are now. I think that as long as the characters or backgrounds do not look 'blocky' then they will sell. I mean a game is made by its game play. If it is difficult to control and has great graphics then it will not make it any better. I think that interactivity and connectivity are the most important things now. I also agree with an earlier poster about the fact that an age of MMORPGs are on there way. I mean with Nintendo now joining the online race then it is probably a sign of things to come.

 

[The Battousai]

I would be willing to be that most of those people grew up in the PS1 or PS2 generation. I don't like these people because they seem to appreciate the "prettiness" of a game rather than if the darned thing does what it's supposed to do: keep you busy.

BTW, you can ignore the parenthesis if you get confused by my typing, I just like to explain things in detail (that's what you have to do if you aspire to be a lawyer like I do)

Well my first console was the genesis (actually it was my cousin's but he gave it to me in late 1996-early 1997 (not so sure anymore) when he purchased his n64, I got my first handheld (gameboy pocket) before then) and I never really thought much of graphics back then, I just loved to see sonic run. I really loved the fact that it was interactive, like I was playing a cartoon. Now I want graphics that justify my $200.00+ purchase. I never purchased a console until I got a gameboy color and then I realized how expensive they were. I'm not willing to shell out $200.00+ USD if sonic looks identical to his predeccesor. That's why I consider graphics important. It's still the game that really matters, but if the new console doesn't have newer more powerful tech than the old one why buy it.