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With the recent arrivals of both the Dreamcast, and the Playstation 2, most gamers are looking to update their console collection with the latest and greatest entertainment money can buy. The question though, is are they really the best that money can buy? Recent poor sales figures for the Dreamcast are hinting at a sudden price reduction, only months after its release, and the reception of the Playstation2 in Japan has been less than friendly to say the least. What are the possible reasons for this? Well, take a quick look at the line up of both the Dreamcast and Playstation2 games and you will notice more than a few games ending with a 2, 3, 4 or some kind of numerical figure at the end of it. The point is that the games companies are seeming to reach a stage where they have come stuck for new and original games ideas, and are sticking with the tried and tested formulas of various other successful games, and just re-releasing them as sequels with nothing more than updated graphics and a few new levels. If you can get the same, or even better quality games, on your existing format compared to the new ones, why should you invest in a new console? After all it’s the gameplay that is the real making of a game, and not the graphics. The main problem with the games market at the minute, which has created this situation is the amount of “casual gamers,” who don’t really have much of an idea on how good what they are buying is, and just buy it because of the name. A classic example of this is the FIFA series. Although the last few updates have been quite impressive, that’s all they are – minor updates, yet all those “casual gamers,” have managed to give the series an impressive number of Christmas no.1’s over the past decade. As long as the same old type of game is selling, games companies are going to keep on producing run of the mill updates. This is why it is down to the public just as much as the games companies to improve the quality and increase the number of genres for games. If the public demands fresh, new ideas then the games companies won’t survive long without supplying them.
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I think that every console has got a hero or a trade mark for it, NINTENDO has Mario, SONY PLAYSTATION has crash bandicoot or Lara, SEGA has sonic and friends. So for each new console released i think that its fine that they have one game that includes the heros in. Otherwise the console would'nt be able to sell as well for the Mario lovers or the Crash lovers and even the Sonic lovers. They also would'nt have any ways to advertise the console as well with some other new charater acting as the consoles hero, there are lots of other games that you can buy instead of the game with the hero but its just that if they make a game with the hero in it then it is normally a good game and gets highly rated and sells the console more.
A very good point. Some people will argue that these next generation consoles have been success though. The point being that most different places have different reviews on how ell something new is doing or, how good something is. Trust me on this one, it is hard to find 2 people to agree on exactly the same things. However, I think we should wander, "Why cant they make these games for the original earlier generation machine?" As people should know, good graphics take you so far, but the gameplay superceeds all other aspects. I mean that they are releasing a game that is very large on the new more capacity gigadiscs and DVDs, but take Final Fantasy 8, 4 discs of sheer brilliance. I think you wont find a better game than FF8 for the imaginatively titled playstation 2
Chris,
A very cogent and interesting argument I thought I should comment though on the idea of 'casual gamers' I think we should bear in mind that many of the gamers who nuy games are just as likely to be new gamers. For instance my son is new to PSX and I have purchased him FIFA 2000 which is a better game than the original. The point being that these games are not just aimed at casual gamers but also new gamers.
A very cogent and interesting argument I thought I should comment though on the idea of 'casual gamers' I think we should bear in mind that many of the gamers who nuy games are just as likely to be new gamers. For instance my son is new to PSX and I have purchased him FIFA 2000 which is a better game than the original. The point being that these games are not just aimed at casual gamers but also new gamers.
i couldnt help noticing your little article posted the other day but i must totally disagree with you, you may think that consoles are nothing but hyped rip offs, but i think your wrong, and i think that my fellow console boys & girls will agree with me that PC's are not exactly cheap. anyway unless you think £700 is worth forking out for a half decent machine that is out of date before it hits the shelfs,thats right you may of just spent £2000 for an out of date machine yep fell that sink in . Ah never mind why dont go out a buy a console its cheaper,easier to run,decent multiplayer,fun and enjoyable, you dont end up ripping your hair out about,you dont have clear a landing sight for it, and of course ITS CHEAPER . yes the console my friend built for simplisty and for enjoyment. and the games better so ner to PC owners.
I agree with every thing that has been said. But some sequals e.g. Quake3 Arena has been getting better everytime a higher number is put after it. Others like C&C Tiberium Sun is just the same game as Red alert except better graphics. At least now the next release of C&C will be a first person shooter rather than the usual type of games.
benito wrote:
Firstly, may I say that I value both Chris's and TheBest's idea's on the subject of 'Next Generation or Next Ripp-off' and I totally agree with you. Unlike TheBest I will be buying a Playstaion 2 and from viewing promotional demos and pictures I am confident that this is a sound decision. On the subject of game sequels, I have mixed feelings. Back in the good ole' days of 'Wipeout' and 'Doom', Tomb Raider was leading the way in action/adventure games on the playstation. The news of a sequel 'Tomb Raider 2' came as a shock as I belived the game to be a one-off. The two games made me proud to be a Playstation owner as I mocked my N64 holding friends. How stupid I was. 'Tomb Raider 3' and 'Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation' had taken the series two steps too far. There was NO differance beetween those two then there was the first two games. By now strolling round temples, whilst shooting at rabid monkeys had become a bore. Still the ignorant press sang 'Tomb Raiders' praises attempting to create hype. This hype soon got the attention of those fat cigar smoking presidents at Eidos, causing them to flood the shops with cheap plastic models of some iratating women in a green tank top. What was the world coming to? TheBest, you are a genius. All I can say is that there better be some improvements in the gaming world, overwise this gamesplayer will be round MR Playstations humble home with a rather large bucket of red paint.
: Thanks!!!
Firstly, may I say that I value both Chris's and TheBest's idea's on the subject of 'Next Generation or Next Ripp-off' and I totally agree with you. Unlike TheBest I will be buying a Playstaion 2 and from viewing promotional demos and pictures I am confident that this is a sound decision. On the subject of game sequels, I have mixed feelings. Back in the good ole' days of 'Wipeout' and 'Doom', Tomb Raider was leading the way in action/adventure games on the playstation. The news of a sequel 'Tomb Raider 2' came as a shock as I belived the game to be a one-off. The two games made me proud to be a Playstation owner as I mocked my N64 holding friends. How stupid I was. 'Tomb Raider 3' and 'Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation' had taken the series two steps too far. There was NO differance beetween those two then there was the first two games. By now strolling round temples, whilst shooting at rabid monkeys had become a bore. Still the ignorant press sang 'Tomb Raiders' praises attempting to create hype. This hype soon got the attention of those fat cigar smoking presidents at Eidos, causing them to flood the shops with cheap plastic models of some iratating women in a green tank top. What was the world coming to? TheBest, you are a genius. All I can say is that there better be some improvements in the gaming world, overwise this gamesplayer will be round MR Playstations humble home with a rather large bucket of red paint.
: Thanks!!!
TheBest wrote:
: That is very true, Chris. I myself have an N64 and will not be buying the playstation2 or the dolphin. Better graphics and internet connection - big wow. You can get the internet on your PC witch come with a keyboard! With these two consoles you have to buy an extra keyboard an God knows what else along with all your games ( witch will no - doubt be expensive!)
: On the N64, turok rage wars was released witch followed old Turok trends, but had a few twists
: Turok 3 will be appearing near christmas, and that goes back to being Turok 2. Okay, it'll have a few extra enemies, different levels and maybe a few more weapons but the idea is EXACTLY the same!!!
: No - doubt the playstation 2 will have it's own selection of tomb raider games. Whats new?????? Lara Croft in a green costume shooting a few bad guys. Again a few new levels and/or weapons and if dedicated fans are lucky, maybe she'll change her outfit!!!!!!!!!
: You are very very right in what you have said.
: I for one will not be buying a 'next generation' console unless they can think of some new games ideas an innovations.
: Thank you.
Firstly, may I say that I value both Chris's and TheBest's idea's on the subject of 'Next Generation or Next Ripp-off' and I totally agree with you. Unlike TheBest I will be buying a Playstaion 2 and from viewing promotional demos and pictures I am confident that this is a sound decision. On the subject of game sequels, I have mixed feelings. Back in the good ole' days of 'Wipeout' and 'Doom', Tomb Raider was leading the way in action/adventure games on the playstation. The news of a sequel 'Tomb Raider 2' came as a shock as I belived the game to be a one-off. The two games made me proud to be a Playstation owner as I mocked my N64 holding friends. How stupid I was. 'Tomb Raider 3' and 'Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation' had taken the series two steps too far. There was NO differance beetween those two then there was the first two games. By now strolling round temples, whilst shooting at rabid monkeys had become a bore. Still the ignorant press sang 'Tomb Raiders' praises attempting to create hype. This hype soon got the attention of those fat cigar smoking presidents at Eidos, causing them to flood the shops with cheap plastic models of some iratating women in a green tank top. What was the world coming to? TheBest, you are a genius. All I can say is that there better be some improvements in the gaming world, overwise this gamesplayer will be round MR Playstations humble home with a rather large bucket of red paint.
Thanks!!!
: That is very true, Chris. I myself have an N64 and will not be buying the playstation2 or the dolphin. Better graphics and internet connection - big wow. You can get the internet on your PC witch come with a keyboard! With these two consoles you have to buy an extra keyboard an God knows what else along with all your games ( witch will no - doubt be expensive!)
: On the N64, turok rage wars was released witch followed old Turok trends, but had a few twists
: Turok 3 will be appearing near christmas, and that goes back to being Turok 2. Okay, it'll have a few extra enemies, different levels and maybe a few more weapons but the idea is EXACTLY the same!!!
: No - doubt the playstation 2 will have it's own selection of tomb raider games. Whats new?????? Lara Croft in a green costume shooting a few bad guys. Again a few new levels and/or weapons and if dedicated fans are lucky, maybe she'll change her outfit!!!!!!!!!
: You are very very right in what you have said.
: I for one will not be buying a 'next generation' console unless they can think of some new games ideas an innovations.
: Thank you.
Firstly, may I say that I value both Chris's and TheBest's idea's on the subject of 'Next Generation or Next Ripp-off' and I totally agree with you. Unlike TheBest I will be buying a Playstaion 2 and from viewing promotional demos and pictures I am confident that this is a sound decision. On the subject of game sequels, I have mixed feelings. Back in the good ole' days of 'Wipeout' and 'Doom', Tomb Raider was leading the way in action/adventure games on the playstation. The news of a sequel 'Tomb Raider 2' came as a shock as I belived the game to be a one-off. The two games made me proud to be a Playstation owner as I mocked my N64 holding friends. How stupid I was. 'Tomb Raider 3' and 'Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation' had taken the series two steps too far. There was NO differance beetween those two then there was the first two games. By now strolling round temples, whilst shooting at rabid monkeys had become a bore. Still the ignorant press sang 'Tomb Raiders' praises attempting to create hype. This hype soon got the attention of those fat cigar smoking presidents at Eidos, causing them to flood the shops with cheap plastic models of some iratating women in a green tank top. What was the world coming to? TheBest, you are a genius. All I can say is that there better be some improvements in the gaming world, overwise this gamesplayer will be round MR Playstations humble home with a rather large bucket of red paint.
Thanks!!!
That is very true, Chris. I myself have an N64 and will not be buying the playstation2 or the dolphin. Better graphics and internet connection - big wow. You can get the internet on your PC witch come with a keyboard! With these two consoles you have to buy an extra keyboard an God knows what else along with all your games ( witch will no - doubt be expensive!)
On the N64, turok rage wars was released witch followed old Turok trends, but had a few twists
Turok 3 will be appearing near christmas, and that goes back to being Turok 2. Okay, it'll have a few extra enemies, different levels and maybe a few more weapons but the idea is EXACTLY the same!!!
No - doubt the playstation 2 will have it's own selection of tomb raider games. Whats new?????? Lara Croft in a green costume shooting a few bad guys. Again a few new levels and/or weapons and if dedicated fans are lucky, maybe she'll change her outfit!!!!!!!!!
You are very very right in what you have said.
I for one will not be buying a 'next generation' console unless they can think of some new games ideas an innovations.
Thank you.
On the N64, turok rage wars was released witch followed old Turok trends, but had a few twists
Turok 3 will be appearing near christmas, and that goes back to being Turok 2. Okay, it'll have a few extra enemies, different levels and maybe a few more weapons but the idea is EXACTLY the same!!!
No - doubt the playstation 2 will have it's own selection of tomb raider games. Whats new?????? Lara Croft in a green costume shooting a few bad guys. Again a few new levels and/or weapons and if dedicated fans are lucky, maybe she'll change her outfit!!!!!!!!!
You are very very right in what you have said.
I for one will not be buying a 'next generation' console unless they can think of some new games ideas an innovations.
Thank you.
With the recent arrivals of both the Dreamcast, and the Playstation 2, most gamers are looking to update their console collection with the latest and greatest entertainment money can buy. The question though, is are they really the best that money can buy? Recent poor sales figures for the Dreamcast are hinting at a sudden price reduction, only months after its release, and the reception of the Playstation2 in Japan has been less than friendly to say the least. What are the possible reasons for this? Well, take a quick look at the line up of both the Dreamcast and Playstation2 games and you will notice more than a few games ending with a 2, 3, 4 or some kind of numerical figure at the end of it. The point is that the games companies are seeming to reach a stage where they have come stuck for new and original games ideas, and are sticking with the tried and tested formulas of various other successful games, and just re-releasing them as sequels with nothing more than updated graphics and a few new levels. If you can get the same, or even better quality games, on your existing format compared to the new ones, why should you invest in a new console? After all it’s the gameplay that is the real making of a game, and not the graphics. The main problem with the games market at the minute, which has created this situation is the amount of “casual gamers,” who don’t really have much of an idea on how good what they are buying is, and just buy it because of the name. A classic example of this is the FIFA series. Although the last few updates have been quite impressive, that’s all they are – minor updates, yet all those “casual gamers,” have managed to give the series an impressive number of Christmas no.1’s over the past decade. As long as the same old type of game is selling, games companies are going to keep on producing run of the mill updates. This is why it is down to the public just as much as the games companies to improve the quality and increase the number of genres for games. If the public demands fresh, new ideas then the games companies won’t survive long without supplying them.
Page: