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Went to mow a meadow. Went to the park to throw sticks and do other stuff, and even went in the car to ASDA. But why don’t they ever take part in a gaming adventure? Why can’t Lara Croft of Solid Snake have a canine companion or even another type of animal? They could use the animals to do things humans physically can’t, and this would add a whole new aspect to gaming. Few games have already incorporated this idea but I think many should in the future.
It all started back several years ago when Tamagotchi’s were released. These were little egg shaped key rings with electronic screens on. On the screen was a pet that you had to virtually feed, clean, and discipline, in order for it to grow into a stronger beast before it died. They fascinated kids, and even some older people. This was mainly down to the thrill of it being like your very own pet that you could carry around with you and resurrect every time it died. The Tamagotchi was a sure fire hit and soon several games companies started to adapt the idea into their games. Wonderful.
Pokemon is undoubtedly one of the most successful games ever. Practically every kid under 14 owned a Game Boy just so they could play it. The game involved catching monsters and looking after them so they grew into fierce beasts. You could then enter tournaments or go adventuring using your monsters to help you on the way. The game was so successful that everywhere you went you could here some little kid chanting ‘pika pika’. Digimon also copied the idea of virtual pets. This time however, rather than catching the monsters, you had to hatch them from an egg. They then ‘digivolved’ into many other creatures and then you could take them through a 3D RPG adventure.
Jak and Daxter also portrayed ‘pets’ in another way. Jak’s mate, Daxter, is turned into a weasel and you must set out together in search of a way to turn him back to normal. On the adventure Daxter aids Jak and dishes out many funny remarks. The game was a joy to play and the interaction between the two characters was an added bonus. Soon a game very much like Jak and Daxter is to be released. Called ‘Ratchet and Clank’, you play a cat like creature in an industrial city. However this cat is no normal cat. Strapped to his back is his robot mate Clank, who can help Ratchet with a collection of abilities. He even has his own mini levels, which add that extra element, which without Clank wouldn’t be there. This feature is also included in the soon to be PS2 game Primal. The lead lady has a pet Goblin who you must use to complete several challenges in the game that the lead character can’t. Not only does this add that extra challenge, but also a bit of variety. It’s much better playing with two characters than playing with the same old character all the time.
Wacky as it may seem, the idea of pets has also recently been featured in a famous racing title. That’s right, GT Concept, the new Gran Turismo game, includes the option to drive in Toyota’s fantasy Pod Car. The Pod Car lights up different colours depending on how well you race. Stay in last place all the time and the poor car will shine blue showing it is sad. Alternatively, take the lead and he will glow yellow with happiness. He even gets angry and sleepy, and even makes noises and has a wagging tail. Sweet! This has proved to add novelty to the game, and many have purchased it just to drive these wacky creations!
Sadly not all games have this great feature. Games like Final Fantasy and Shenmue would be the perfect type of games to have pets in. In Shenmue you could visit the pet shop, buy the pet of your choice, and then look after it like a real pet. If you bought a dog you could train it to be vicious so it protects you at sticky moments, or if you had a cat you could send it into peoples houses strapped up to a mini microphone, and then you could listen in on vital conversations. Final Fantasy would also be a great type of game for a pet feature. Yes, some could argue you do have Guardian Forces/Aeons to train up and look after, but wouldn’t it be great if you could have real animals or even use the existing Chocobo’s, that when trained up to certain level could access secrets areas ect. You could feed them and discipline them to your hearts content, building them up in your own unique way, an option similar to the Chocobo breeding in FF7.
Certainly owning creatures in games is a feature I’d like to see. It would, like I have said before, add many new elements to games, much more variety, and a new feature for EA to boast about. What do you think? Are pets the way forward? Or am I acting childish?
Thanks for reading,
Nath.
It all started back several years ago when Tamagotchi’s were released. These were little egg shaped key rings with electronic screens on. On the screen was a pet that you had to virtually feed, clean, and discipline, in order for it to grow into a stronger beast before it died. They fascinated kids, and even some older people. This was mainly down to the thrill of it being like your very own pet that you could carry around with you and resurrect every time it died. The Tamagotchi was a sure fire hit and soon several games companies started to adapt the idea into their games. Wonderful.
Pokemon is undoubtedly one of the most successful games ever. Practically every kid under 14 owned a Game Boy just so they could play it. The game involved catching monsters and looking after them so they grew into fierce beasts. You could then enter tournaments or go adventuring using your monsters to help you on the way. The game was so successful that everywhere you went you could here some little kid chanting ‘pika pika’. Digimon also copied the idea of virtual pets. This time however, rather than catching the monsters, you had to hatch them from an egg. They then ‘digivolved’ into many other creatures and then you could take them through a 3D RPG adventure.
Jak and Daxter also portrayed ‘pets’ in another way. Jak’s mate, Daxter, is turned into a weasel and you must set out together in search of a way to turn him back to normal. On the adventure Daxter aids Jak and dishes out many funny remarks. The game was a joy to play and the interaction between the two characters was an added bonus. Soon a game very much like Jak and Daxter is to be released. Called ‘Ratchet and Clank’, you play a cat like creature in an industrial city. However this cat is no normal cat. Strapped to his back is his robot mate Clank, who can help Ratchet with a collection of abilities. He even has his own mini levels, which add that extra element, which without Clank wouldn’t be there. This feature is also included in the soon to be PS2 game Primal. The lead lady has a pet Goblin who you must use to complete several challenges in the game that the lead character can’t. Not only does this add that extra challenge, but also a bit of variety. It’s much better playing with two characters than playing with the same old character all the time.
Wacky as it may seem, the idea of pets has also recently been featured in a famous racing title. That’s right, GT Concept, the new Gran Turismo game, includes the option to drive in Toyota’s fantasy Pod Car. The Pod Car lights up different colours depending on how well you race. Stay in last place all the time and the poor car will shine blue showing it is sad. Alternatively, take the lead and he will glow yellow with happiness. He even gets angry and sleepy, and even makes noises and has a wagging tail. Sweet! This has proved to add novelty to the game, and many have purchased it just to drive these wacky creations!
Sadly not all games have this great feature. Games like Final Fantasy and Shenmue would be the perfect type of games to have pets in. In Shenmue you could visit the pet shop, buy the pet of your choice, and then look after it like a real pet. If you bought a dog you could train it to be vicious so it protects you at sticky moments, or if you had a cat you could send it into peoples houses strapped up to a mini microphone, and then you could listen in on vital conversations. Final Fantasy would also be a great type of game for a pet feature. Yes, some could argue you do have Guardian Forces/Aeons to train up and look after, but wouldn’t it be great if you could have real animals or even use the existing Chocobo’s, that when trained up to certain level could access secrets areas ect. You could feed them and discipline them to your hearts content, building them up in your own unique way, an option similar to the Chocobo breeding in FF7.
Certainly owning creatures in games is a feature I’d like to see. It would, like I have said before, add many new elements to games, much more variety, and a new feature for EA to boast about. What do you think? Are pets the way forward? Or am I acting childish?
Thanks for reading,
Nath.
About the pet sidekicks, i think you kind of stepped on why they arent used quite so much, they can be seen more as 'childish' which isnt going to go well on the PS2 as most of its games arent platformers. Tomb Raider and MGS are going for the more realistic type of game genre, so to have Lare roaming around a tomb with deadly creatures out to kill her, and just as one pounced a Blue little dog pops up and helps her wouldnt be right (Ok maybe not blue, but you get the idea).
Problem is if they were used in games like these the developers have to look carefully how to put them in, are they going to be regular animals? Are they going to talk? All depends on the type of genre of the game that is being made, and just say its the like of another MGS or say Resident Evil, its just not going to fit.
Problem is if they were used in games like these the developers have to look carefully how to put them in, are they going to be regular animals? Are they going to talk? All depends on the type of genre of the game that is being made, and just say its the like of another MGS or say Resident Evil, its just not going to fit.
Went to mow a meadow. Went to the park to throw sticks and do other stuff, and even went in the car to ASDA. But why don’t they ever take part in a gaming adventure? Why can’t Lara Croft of Solid Snake have a canine companion or even another type of animal? They could use the animals to do things humans physically can’t, and this would add a whole new aspect to gaming. Few games have already incorporated this idea but I think many should in the future.
It all started back several years ago when Tamagotchi’s were released. These were little egg shaped key rings with electronic screens on. On the screen was a pet that you had to virtually feed, clean, and discipline, in order for it to grow into a stronger beast before it died. They fascinated kids, and even some older people. This was mainly down to the thrill of it being like your very own pet that you could carry around with you and resurrect every time it died. The Tamagotchi was a sure fire hit and soon several games companies started to adapt the idea into their games. Wonderful.
Pokemon is undoubtedly one of the most successful games ever. Practically every kid under 14 owned a Game Boy just so they could play it. The game involved catching monsters and looking after them so they grew into fierce beasts. You could then enter tournaments or go adventuring using your monsters to help you on the way. The game was so successful that everywhere you went you could here some little kid chanting ‘pika pika’. Digimon also copied the idea of virtual pets. This time however, rather than catching the monsters, you had to hatch them from an egg. They then ‘digivolved’ into many other creatures and then you could take them through a 3D RPG adventure.
Jak and Daxter also portrayed ‘pets’ in another way. Jak’s mate, Daxter, is turned into a weasel and you must set out together in search of a way to turn him back to normal. On the adventure Daxter aids Jak and dishes out many funny remarks. The game was a joy to play and the interaction between the two characters was an added bonus. Soon a game very much like Jak and Daxter is to be released. Called ‘Ratchet and Clank’, you play a cat like creature in an industrial city. However this cat is no normal cat. Strapped to his back is his robot mate Clank, who can help Ratchet with a collection of abilities. He even has his own mini levels, which add that extra element, which without Clank wouldn’t be there. This feature is also included in the soon to be PS2 game Primal. The lead lady has a pet Goblin who you must use to complete several challenges in the game that the lead character can’t. Not only does this add that extra challenge, but also a bit of variety. It’s much better playing with two characters than playing with the same old character all the time.
Wacky as it may seem, the idea of pets has also recently been featured in a famous racing title. That’s right, GT Concept, the new Gran Turismo game, includes the option to drive in Toyota’s fantasy Pod Car. The Pod Car lights up different colours depending on how well you race. Stay in last place all the time and the poor car will shine blue showing it is sad. Alternatively, take the lead and he will glow yellow with happiness. He even gets angry and sleepy, and even makes noises and has a wagging tail. Sweet! This has proved to add novelty to the game, and many have purchased it just to drive these wacky creations!
Sadly not all games have this great feature. Games like Final Fantasy and Shenmue would be the perfect type of games to have pets in. In Shenmue you could visit the pet shop, buy the pet of your choice, and then look after it like a real pet. If you bought a dog you could train it to be vicious so it protects you at sticky moments, or if you had a cat you could send it into peoples houses strapped up to a mini microphone, and then you could listen in on vital conversations. Final Fantasy would also be a great type of game for a pet feature. Yes, some could argue you do have Guardian Forces/Aeons to train up and look after, but wouldn’t it be great if you could have real animals or even use the existing Chocobo’s, that when trained up to certain level could access secrets areas ect. You could feed them and discipline them to your hearts content, building them up in your own unique way, an option similar to the Chocobo breeding in FF7.
Certainly owning creatures in games is a feature I’d like to see. It would, like I have said before, add many new elements to games, much more variety, and a new feature for EA to boast about. What do you think? Are pets the way forward? Or am I acting childish?
Thanks for reading,
Nath.
It all started back several years ago when Tamagotchi’s were released. These were little egg shaped key rings with electronic screens on. On the screen was a pet that you had to virtually feed, clean, and discipline, in order for it to grow into a stronger beast before it died. They fascinated kids, and even some older people. This was mainly down to the thrill of it being like your very own pet that you could carry around with you and resurrect every time it died. The Tamagotchi was a sure fire hit and soon several games companies started to adapt the idea into their games. Wonderful.
Pokemon is undoubtedly one of the most successful games ever. Practically every kid under 14 owned a Game Boy just so they could play it. The game involved catching monsters and looking after them so they grew into fierce beasts. You could then enter tournaments or go adventuring using your monsters to help you on the way. The game was so successful that everywhere you went you could here some little kid chanting ‘pika pika’. Digimon also copied the idea of virtual pets. This time however, rather than catching the monsters, you had to hatch them from an egg. They then ‘digivolved’ into many other creatures and then you could take them through a 3D RPG adventure.
Jak and Daxter also portrayed ‘pets’ in another way. Jak’s mate, Daxter, is turned into a weasel and you must set out together in search of a way to turn him back to normal. On the adventure Daxter aids Jak and dishes out many funny remarks. The game was a joy to play and the interaction between the two characters was an added bonus. Soon a game very much like Jak and Daxter is to be released. Called ‘Ratchet and Clank’, you play a cat like creature in an industrial city. However this cat is no normal cat. Strapped to his back is his robot mate Clank, who can help Ratchet with a collection of abilities. He even has his own mini levels, which add that extra element, which without Clank wouldn’t be there. This feature is also included in the soon to be PS2 game Primal. The lead lady has a pet Goblin who you must use to complete several challenges in the game that the lead character can’t. Not only does this add that extra challenge, but also a bit of variety. It’s much better playing with two characters than playing with the same old character all the time.
Wacky as it may seem, the idea of pets has also recently been featured in a famous racing title. That’s right, GT Concept, the new Gran Turismo game, includes the option to drive in Toyota’s fantasy Pod Car. The Pod Car lights up different colours depending on how well you race. Stay in last place all the time and the poor car will shine blue showing it is sad. Alternatively, take the lead and he will glow yellow with happiness. He even gets angry and sleepy, and even makes noises and has a wagging tail. Sweet! This has proved to add novelty to the game, and many have purchased it just to drive these wacky creations!
Sadly not all games have this great feature. Games like Final Fantasy and Shenmue would be the perfect type of games to have pets in. In Shenmue you could visit the pet shop, buy the pet of your choice, and then look after it like a real pet. If you bought a dog you could train it to be vicious so it protects you at sticky moments, or if you had a cat you could send it into peoples houses strapped up to a mini microphone, and then you could listen in on vital conversations. Final Fantasy would also be a great type of game for a pet feature. Yes, some could argue you do have Guardian Forces/Aeons to train up and look after, but wouldn’t it be great if you could have real animals or even use the existing Chocobo’s, that when trained up to certain level could access secrets areas ect. You could feed them and discipline them to your hearts content, building them up in your own unique way, an option similar to the Chocobo breeding in FF7.
Certainly owning creatures in games is a feature I’d like to see. It would, like I have said before, add many new elements to games, much more variety, and a new feature for EA to boast about. What do you think? Are pets the way forward? Or am I acting childish?
Thanks for reading,
Nath.