The problem with modern gaming

[sixbarns 217]

the problem with modern gaming is modern gamers :P

..and modern games and the modern gaming industry.

[hatfieldcw 184]

Needs more grue.

Really, though, a lot of the "problem" with modern gaming is that games are well known and understood by players. Metagaming and exploitation have become part of the culture, and you can look at a new game and immediately spot ways to beat it. Sure, people "solved" Pac-Man and Berzerk and other old timey games, but nowadays, with easy ways to share tips and discoveries, you can become expert at many games just by reading online about them, so everyone can know what the experts know. I didn't know how mil dots worked until I read up on them, and I'd never have been able to be a dickhead with a DMR if I hadn't learned that. Similarly, people learn how to duplicate items and run scripts online, and they even download the scripts to run. Nothing to it.

So improved communication has made it easier to be a douchebag, and that means that even the marginally competent douchebags can make their mark on the community's good time.

Also, let's face it, gaming is more mainstream now, so a more diverse group of people are playing, and so we can no longer trust people to share our neckbearded solidarity when we meet them in a game. Gone are the days of nerdgames, now it's a world of punks and casuals. Alas!

[Myth`~ 46]

One of the many problems with the industry, and by extension developers themselves, today is that they're scared to try something new. They don't want to spend the budget of the next Modern Warfare on something that might turn a profit or not. they'd rather make that same new Modern Warfare that they know people will buy.

Creativity and innovation have been moved down the list for projected sales reports.

Edited August 15, 2012 by Myth`~

[Myth`~ 46]

Lots of immature analysis of the industry in this thread. Nothing is being destroyed or is "in decline." Casual games are more common, but so are casual gaming companies. It hasn't come at the expense of anything. It represents growth in the industry, not decline, and it's nothing to be afraid of. More gamers means more interest in the industry, more investment, more growth and more potential for new and exciting developments. A casual gamer today might get interested in an MMO tomorrow and then a hardcore RPG or FPS next year. People grow up and change and their tastes evolve and change as well. Bringing someone into the gamer fold, even if it's through Farmville or Wii Sports is still another gamer and that's a good thing for us all.

Some companies might stop making "hardcore" games because they see more profit potential in the casual market, but that just leaves a vacuum for a smaller independent effort to come in and snatch up that market opportunity and make a profit.

It's all growth, and it's all good. Try not being such a bunch of nay-sayers.

You aren't a CEO at the EA by anychance are you? Because this kind of bullshit is what I'd expect from greedy, pathetic, uber casual corporations.

You're blind or terribly ignorant if you believe what you just..wrote

ZDB is right, casual games are good for the industry, you're confusing casual with mainstream.

To clarify, take the company EA that you mentioned and their upcoming title Dead Space 3. They stated recently that they feel the franchise has suffered in sales because it was too scary. Meaning, they want to make it more mainstream.

I'll just say it really simple because this is how I feel about it; 'By making games more mainstream, it just means you're catering to every level of idiocy and stupidity and ensure that every 10 year old and their retarded little brother can play your games.'

Casual is NOT mainstream. Casual is GOOD. Mainstream is a kick in the balls for loyal fans and a stepping stone for retards into the online communities.