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The Godfather of gaming, Shigeru Miyamoto, recently said in an interview about the new Zelda game, responding to criticism of the new cel shaded style, that “talking about games is part of the gameplay these days”. At first I dismissed that comment as, well to be honest, stupid. How can talking about games be part of gameplay? After sitting down and pondering this thought for a moment, I realised why Miyamoto is one of the best, if not the best, games developers in the world, and why I’m not. But I’m no dummy (no really, I’m not), and I decided to use this idea to incorporate it into my latest post, which you are currently reading.
To me, gaming and everything it stands for should be an experience – you can look at games on a superficial level as a short term arcadey ‘fix’, or a simple alternative medium to other forms of entertainment. Games are more engrossing than films and more involving than listening to your favourite CD, because you can actually involve yourself with them to a higher degree than the others. Sceptics - like my parents - often look at gaming as a waste of time (almost blasphemous, I know), when, and I quote, I ‘could be doing something useful with my time’. Huh! Do me a favour - like what? Oh crap…A level revision!!
*runs off*
Only kidding…about revising that is. But if you look at gaming as an experience, you will realise that there is a lot more to games than just sitting in front of a TV screen with a controller in your hand. Oh no – the anticipation, the build up, the wait – this in itself is a very important part of gameplay. And that is why, my friends, I have decided to compile what I call the Cycle of Gameplay™ - the stages of excitement and expectation as we wait for our favourite games.
We are in a period, currently speaking, of the first part in the Cycle of Gameplay™ - the Electronics Entertainment Expo (that’s E3 to most of us). To me, this is one of the most important parts in the gaming calendar. New games are shown, shocking announcements are made, and we (well, the lucky magazine writers) can get our mitts on our most wanted games for the very first time. This is the first stage of gameplay – we ogle over the screen shots (from Upwire.com of course!), download the latest videos of the web and marvel at the superb graphics. We see the games on our very screens and we want to play them.
But we can’t. So we what do we do – we enter the second phase of the Cycle of Gameplay™…we talk about them! That’s why we are on these forums, isn’t it? The chance to talk about our favourite games, our expectations for the latest releases, what we would like to see included, what we would like to see discarded, etc. This has been proven by the internet backlash over ‘Celda’. Well, I’d like to say that, judging from the latest E3 video, that any dissenters will be eating humble pie very very soon. One aspect of this pre-gameplay I particularly enjoy is the speculation of what might be included, whether so and so will crop up and make an appearance – all these things add to the enjoyment, but unfortunately they heighten our expectations as well.
So onto the next stage of the Cycle Of Gameplay™ - playing the game itself. We’ve gone to the shop, sent an email and/or posted our mail order (depending on how dedicated you really are) and on the day of release the brand new spanking game arrives at your doorstep, neatly wrapped and waiting to be played. And how we play. Anxious to reach the next level, staring in astonishment at the drop dead gorgeous graphics, all your senses being bombarded. This is the only stage where you actually play the game, and is undeniably the most important. Your expectations are either realised or shattered. You would think be the last stage in the cycle, right? Wrong.
We talk again. Either back on the forums or with your mates (if you have any left after your social life has been destroyed by your new game!), you talk about the game, you want to share the experience, chat about its nuances and foibles. The gameplay still continues – you’ve stopped playing, but you are desperate to enjoy it with others, debate about the good and bad points, maybe even discuss what you want in the sequel! All these things are part of what I call the Cycle of Gameplay™!
Brought to you courtesy of RM18…hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
To me, gaming and everything it stands for should be an experience – you can look at games on a superficial level as a short term arcadey ‘fix’, or a simple alternative medium to other forms of entertainment. Games are more engrossing than films and more involving than listening to your favourite CD, because you can actually involve yourself with them to a higher degree than the others. Sceptics - like my parents - often look at gaming as a waste of time (almost blasphemous, I know), when, and I quote, I ‘could be doing something useful with my time’. Huh! Do me a favour - like what? Oh crap…A level revision!!
*runs off*
Only kidding…about revising that is. But if you look at gaming as an experience, you will realise that there is a lot more to games than just sitting in front of a TV screen with a controller in your hand. Oh no – the anticipation, the build up, the wait – this in itself is a very important part of gameplay. And that is why, my friends, I have decided to compile what I call the Cycle of Gameplay™ - the stages of excitement and expectation as we wait for our favourite games.
We are in a period, currently speaking, of the first part in the Cycle of Gameplay™ - the Electronics Entertainment Expo (that’s E3 to most of us). To me, this is one of the most important parts in the gaming calendar. New games are shown, shocking announcements are made, and we (well, the lucky magazine writers) can get our mitts on our most wanted games for the very first time. This is the first stage of gameplay – we ogle over the screen shots (from Upwire.com of course!), download the latest videos of the web and marvel at the superb graphics. We see the games on our very screens and we want to play them.
But we can’t. So we what do we do – we enter the second phase of the Cycle of Gameplay™…we talk about them! That’s why we are on these forums, isn’t it? The chance to talk about our favourite games, our expectations for the latest releases, what we would like to see included, what we would like to see discarded, etc. This has been proven by the internet backlash over ‘Celda’. Well, I’d like to say that, judging from the latest E3 video, that any dissenters will be eating humble pie very very soon. One aspect of this pre-gameplay I particularly enjoy is the speculation of what might be included, whether so and so will crop up and make an appearance – all these things add to the enjoyment, but unfortunately they heighten our expectations as well.
So onto the next stage of the Cycle Of Gameplay™ - playing the game itself. We’ve gone to the shop, sent an email and/or posted our mail order (depending on how dedicated you really are) and on the day of release the brand new spanking game arrives at your doorstep, neatly wrapped and waiting to be played. And how we play. Anxious to reach the next level, staring in astonishment at the drop dead gorgeous graphics, all your senses being bombarded. This is the only stage where you actually play the game, and is undeniably the most important. Your expectations are either realised or shattered. You would think be the last stage in the cycle, right? Wrong.
We talk again. Either back on the forums or with your mates (if you have any left after your social life has been destroyed by your new game!), you talk about the game, you want to share the experience, chat about its nuances and foibles. The gameplay still continues – you’ve stopped playing, but you are desperate to enjoy it with others, debate about the good and bad points, maybe even discuss what you want in the sequel! All these things are part of what I call the Cycle of Gameplay™!
Brought to you courtesy of RM18…hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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Your example of Dropship, and how others convinced you, is a prime example of how anticipation, word of mouth and talking about latest releases is part of gameplay these days. Thanks for the reply...
Nice post there are RM, 'The Cycle of Gameplay is a great influence on ourselves, others and the games industry.
Ourselves..
"its all about the waiting game'
When another great title is about to come out, we begin to do whatever we can to find out background on te game and how good it really will be, this may not always be a good thing, because a big build may result in a game not living up to expectations, but who can stop us? I know when MGS 2 was gona be released, most of us couldn't wait for it to come, most of us even started to play MGS 1 again to just get back into things, I know I did - however this game never let me down :D
Others..
"It's great, give it a try"
Influencing other's not just through forums but directly by writing reviews, adverts and one thing ive seen is if majority of the people have purchased a game and some havent its likely that the minority will purchase the game just to join into the discussions and excitment i.e. when trying to complete a game, many people come on here to discuss issues about it. I have recently bought dropship, this was influenced to me by a post done, I think by wookie, but because many people posted positive things about it and as it had goo reviews (and cause I didnt have a war game) I decided to purchase. I probably wouldn't have other wise.
Games Industry..
"Money..Money..Money"
The games industry relies on the gaming cycle to a certain extent because of some of the things mentioned about, Money is the apect which the games industry thrives on, but it also allows them to realise what kinds of games sell most and why, thus allowing them to make similar titles in the future. To give the MGS example, many of us bought the first one, finished it and loved it. This is some kind of guaratee for the games developrs that whn a sequel came out it would be sold, because people were anxious about how good it might be and the cycle would once again take place.
Ourselves..
"its all about the waiting game'
When another great title is about to come out, we begin to do whatever we can to find out background on te game and how good it really will be, this may not always be a good thing, because a big build may result in a game not living up to expectations, but who can stop us? I know when MGS 2 was gona be released, most of us couldn't wait for it to come, most of us even started to play MGS 1 again to just get back into things, I know I did - however this game never let me down :D
Others..
"It's great, give it a try"
Influencing other's not just through forums but directly by writing reviews, adverts and one thing ive seen is if majority of the people have purchased a game and some havent its likely that the minority will purchase the game just to join into the discussions and excitment i.e. when trying to complete a game, many people come on here to discuss issues about it. I have recently bought dropship, this was influenced to me by a post done, I think by wookie, but because many people posted positive things about it and as it had goo reviews (and cause I didnt have a war game) I decided to purchase. I probably wouldn't have other wise.
Games Industry..
"Money..Money..Money"
The games industry relies on the gaming cycle to a certain extent because of some of the things mentioned about, Money is the apect which the games industry thrives on, but it also allows them to realise what kinds of games sell most and why, thus allowing them to make similar titles in the future. To give the MGS example, many of us bought the first one, finished it and loved it. This is some kind of guaratee for the games developrs that whn a sequel came out it would be sold, because people were anxious about how good it might be and the cycle would once again take place.
Hey RM18 would you mind checking ouy my post either in here or in FOG (chat
:) thanks man
:) thanks man
Sure did...just don't forget next time!
Great post there Russ- I take it I made the right decision by voting for you in the elections...
:D
:D
Quality post there mate!
Makes a change to read something interesting and new!
Well done!
:)
Makes a change to read something interesting and new!
Well done!
:)
Aww shucks...
thanks for the nice comments huys - today I will be entering the third stage of the cycle with FFX, and starting the fourth tonight when I come on here tonight to talk about it!
thanks for the nice comments huys - today I will be entering the third stage of the cycle with FFX, and starting the fourth tonight when I come on here tonight to talk about it!
Gah!
RM18, you rule!
:D
Really, I enjoyed that very much.
RM18, you rule!
:D
Really, I enjoyed that very much.
Good Post there RM18, i would write more but i'm not feeling so good today :(
Sure...what the heck!
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