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Here's what I mean.
A long time ago, on a console far, far away, there was Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion. A game for most age ranges, easy to pick up, nice and easy to control, nice learning curve, and a decent playable platformer. I could play it, a 7 year old could play it, and we'd both enjoy the game.
The present, on a PC close to hand, there is The Emperor's New Groove. A game for most age ranges, devilish to pick up, horrible to control, a learning curve that starts somewhere in the Alps and doesn't lose altitude, but still, according to Disney, a decent playable platformer. I can just about play it, my 7 year old nephew likes watching me play it, I hate it, and my nephew can't get to grips with the controls.
The great advancement between the two is the new smooth graphics, huge levels afforded by the CD-Rom format, the crystal clear sound, the cut sequences, it's like playing the movie itself. If you can play it that is.
Now I haven't been to 'school' for many years, but I realise that IT is now a major part of many curriculae, and that most kids should be able to pick up things as they go along with the games. But I think that more and more developers are bringing out games that are just too complicated for younger kids (7-11 range?) to pick up and play, like we older gamers used to be able to do.
Using combo buttons and finding different seeds in Bug's Life on the PSX was way beyond my siblings, but that game was recommended for kids by most of the gaming press. Tarzan, on the other hand (I'm not picking on Disney here, honest), was a lot easier, but still there were some very difficult levels on there.
Learning curves just don't seem to be as evenly curving as they used to be. They seem to start a lot higher up the scale than they used to, and they've lost their exponential shape (start slowly, then start to go up later on). If a game is to be picked up by young gamers and played straight away, it needs to ease them in then 'teach' them as they go along, and I hate to say it, but even Barbie games have their niggly levels, even though they try very hard to say what buttons you are meant to be pressing.
I don't think it is just me, I can get to grips with things like Sim City 3000 (UK edition) in a matter of an hour or two, but again, you'd have to invest a day or two solid manual reading and control familiarisation to get the fine points working to your advantage.
The first Command & Conquer games, you could pick things up quickly, the first few levels were easy and harder factors were worked in at the later levels, but there were still initially some tricky concepts to get to grips with, like learning to select entire units, or control 3 battalions with different commands at the same time. Once you got the knack it was worth it, you'd find the game a lot easier to play. But it could have been made easier given a bit more thought by the developers.
Some games I'll never get to grips with, 'Z' on the PSX I had to give up on in the end, the manual wasn't fully translated into English. Shadow Watch on the PC was another impossible game, after an hour or two of reading the manual and trying things out, I still didn't get anywhere, and that was the tutorial.
I know this is not just me, many other gamers of all ages have the same complaints. Maybe it's because I concentrate purely on RPG and RTS genres, as well as driving sims, that I can pick these games up quickly as the control methods are quite similar across the range of games in these genres.
But I still think that developers are producing games aimed at intermediate and advanced gamers, and not enough is being done for those gamers who are new and just starting out.
What do you think?
A long time ago, on a console far, far away, there was Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion. A game for most age ranges, easy to pick up, nice and easy to control, nice learning curve, and a decent playable platformer. I could play it, a 7 year old could play it, and we'd both enjoy the game.
The present, on a PC close to hand, there is The Emperor's New Groove. A game for most age ranges, devilish to pick up, horrible to control, a learning curve that starts somewhere in the Alps and doesn't lose altitude, but still, according to Disney, a decent playable platformer. I can just about play it, my 7 year old nephew likes watching me play it, I hate it, and my nephew can't get to grips with the controls.
The great advancement between the two is the new smooth graphics, huge levels afforded by the CD-Rom format, the crystal clear sound, the cut sequences, it's like playing the movie itself. If you can play it that is.
Now I haven't been to 'school' for many years, but I realise that IT is now a major part of many curriculae, and that most kids should be able to pick up things as they go along with the games. But I think that more and more developers are bringing out games that are just too complicated for younger kids (7-11 range?) to pick up and play, like we older gamers used to be able to do.
Using combo buttons and finding different seeds in Bug's Life on the PSX was way beyond my siblings, but that game was recommended for kids by most of the gaming press. Tarzan, on the other hand (I'm not picking on Disney here, honest), was a lot easier, but still there were some very difficult levels on there.
Learning curves just don't seem to be as evenly curving as they used to be. They seem to start a lot higher up the scale than they used to, and they've lost their exponential shape (start slowly, then start to go up later on). If a game is to be picked up by young gamers and played straight away, it needs to ease them in then 'teach' them as they go along, and I hate to say it, but even Barbie games have their niggly levels, even though they try very hard to say what buttons you are meant to be pressing.
I don't think it is just me, I can get to grips with things like Sim City 3000 (UK edition) in a matter of an hour or two, but again, you'd have to invest a day or two solid manual reading and control familiarisation to get the fine points working to your advantage.
The first Command & Conquer games, you could pick things up quickly, the first few levels were easy and harder factors were worked in at the later levels, but there were still initially some tricky concepts to get to grips with, like learning to select entire units, or control 3 battalions with different commands at the same time. Once you got the knack it was worth it, you'd find the game a lot easier to play. But it could have been made easier given a bit more thought by the developers.
Some games I'll never get to grips with, 'Z' on the PSX I had to give up on in the end, the manual wasn't fully translated into English. Shadow Watch on the PC was another impossible game, after an hour or two of reading the manual and trying things out, I still didn't get anywhere, and that was the tutorial.
I know this is not just me, many other gamers of all ages have the same complaints. Maybe it's because I concentrate purely on RPG and RTS genres, as well as driving sims, that I can pick these games up quickly as the control methods are quite similar across the range of games in these genres.
But I still think that developers are producing games aimed at intermediate and advanced gamers, and not enough is being done for those gamers who are new and just starting out.
What do you think?
Yep, she appeared in the castle at the end, and you had four platforms just above her that you had to jump onto her head from and then jump back again to safety.
All games should be that easy to pick up and play, more tutorials and such, each giving you incentive to go further. Castle of Illusion is the best example I can think of that does this well.
All games should be that easy to pick up and play, more tutorials and such, each giving you incentive to go further. Castle of Illusion is the best example I can think of that does this well.
Back to Mickey's Castle Of Illusion for a moment, I recently played this again, after many years, and looked at the difficulty settings. If you set the game to "easy" then you only get to play the first section of the first three levels.
A newbie gamer would get used to the control method, and the idea of the game on these levels, that we, as experienced gamers, would already have an understanding of.
Upon finishing the 'easy' level you don't get a proper ending, so you're keen to step up to the 'normal' level just to see the rest of the levels, and to beat that witch! (It was a witch, wasn't it?)
A newbie gamer would get used to the control method, and the idea of the game on these levels, that we, as experienced gamers, would already have an understanding of.
Upon finishing the 'easy' level you don't get a proper ending, so you're keen to step up to the 'normal' level just to see the rest of the levels, and to beat that witch! (It was a witch, wasn't it?)
On a side-note ELSPA ratings only advise on content of the game and its suitability for age ranges, not the ability rating of the game.
I think there should be an ability rating to solve this problem, a bit like Dungeons and Dragons do. You could have a simple coloured bar on the back of the game box, with:
1-3 coloured green for newbie gamers
4-6 coloured orange for casual gamers
7-10 coloured red for hardcore/experienced gamers
I think there should be an ability rating to solve this problem, a bit like Dungeons and Dragons do. You could have a simple coloured bar on the back of the game box, with:
1-3 coloured green for newbie gamers
4-6 coloured orange for casual gamers
7-10 coloured red for hardcore/experienced gamers
Virtua Tennis only uses the stick and 2 buttons, yet it is one of the most fiendishly addictive multiplayer games ever. Its right up there alongside Super Bomberman on the SNES, in my opinion.
I guess you're just playing the wrong games then!
There are plenty of games available on the N64 that are easy to pick up and play.
Some of these are quite challenging in the later levels, others are obviously aimed at a younger audience.
Take Mario 64 for instance. Easy to pick up and play. Anyone can go into the first level and claim that first star.
Inexperienced gamers may not be able to get every star from every level, but they should be able to collect enough to be able to face and defeat Bowser.
But the challenge of collecting all 120 stars is still there for those more mature gamers.
(On a side note, this is the only way that I see games growing in size. The basic quest or mission will still be relatively simple, but there will be much more to the games in terms of side-quests and sub-plots. The casual gamers can complete the game, then move onto something else, but there will be added challenges in there for those that want to get more from their games.)
Then there are the games that are fun, but never difficult. Look at Mario Party 2. Fantastically playable for all ages. Just get 4 people around and play some of the simplest, yet most competetive mini-games around, as well as travelling around a board to buy stars.
The games only ever use 3 buttons as a maximum, but sometimes it's just a matter of bashing one button, or titling the 3D stick!
So buy a Nintendo, go on, games for all ages that have one main essential ingredient, fun!
There are plenty of games available on the N64 that are easy to pick up and play.
Some of these are quite challenging in the later levels, others are obviously aimed at a younger audience.
Take Mario 64 for instance. Easy to pick up and play. Anyone can go into the first level and claim that first star.
Inexperienced gamers may not be able to get every star from every level, but they should be able to collect enough to be able to face and defeat Bowser.
But the challenge of collecting all 120 stars is still there for those more mature gamers.
(On a side note, this is the only way that I see games growing in size. The basic quest or mission will still be relatively simple, but there will be much more to the games in terms of side-quests and sub-plots. The casual gamers can complete the game, then move onto something else, but there will be added challenges in there for those that want to get more from their games.)
Then there are the games that are fun, but never difficult. Look at Mario Party 2. Fantastically playable for all ages. Just get 4 people around and play some of the simplest, yet most competetive mini-games around, as well as travelling around a board to buy stars.
The games only ever use 3 buttons as a maximum, but sometimes it's just a matter of bashing one button, or titling the 3D stick!
So buy a Nintendo, go on, games for all ages that have one main essential ingredient, fun!
The Game wrote:
New controls and genres
> are but a small part of this.
I'd say that new genres would be quite a large part myself.......
New controls and genres
> are but a small part of this.
I'd say that new genres would be quite a large part myself.......
I remember first playing Turok...
...I couldn't stand the controls. I thought 'Why can't they be like Bond'
Controls are always changing. There is no two ways about it, some are easy some are hard, I haven't played the emporers New Groove yet, but it looks good, but what are looks. A rose looks good yet the rosey petals are but the tip of an iceberg waiting to cause disaster!
There will always be games that everyone can play. Banjo-Kazooie is one, Crazy Taxi another. But there are some age specific games like HeadHunter and Conker's Bad Fur Day. I think that ratings ESRB people do a good job, it is a shame that American woman in the otherpost couldn't see that!
I woudn't worry I don't thing gaming is going too far adrit, we, as gamers want innovation, you can not succeed if you don't try. And you don't often try without failing at least once!
Gaming is evolving, just like a Charmeleon, it wants new things...'rings, stings and Charizard wings!'
Gaming on the whole will most probably stay on the track it is now, but if companies don't branch off and try new things, then regardless of graphics and gameplay we will eventually get bored.
New controls and genres are but a small part of this.
...I couldn't stand the controls. I thought 'Why can't they be like Bond'
Controls are always changing. There is no two ways about it, some are easy some are hard, I haven't played the emporers New Groove yet, but it looks good, but what are looks. A rose looks good yet the rosey petals are but the tip of an iceberg waiting to cause disaster!
There will always be games that everyone can play. Banjo-Kazooie is one, Crazy Taxi another. But there are some age specific games like HeadHunter and Conker's Bad Fur Day. I think that ratings ESRB people do a good job, it is a shame that American woman in the otherpost couldn't see that!
I woudn't worry I don't thing gaming is going too far adrit, we, as gamers want innovation, you can not succeed if you don't try. And you don't often try without failing at least once!
Gaming is evolving, just like a Charmeleon, it wants new things...'rings, stings and Charizard wings!'
Gaming on the whole will most probably stay on the track it is now, but if companies don't branch off and try new things, then regardless of graphics and gameplay we will eventually get bored.
New controls and genres are but a small part of this.
Some people would say that it is good that younger players, 7-11 like you said, cant pick up and play games that easily because everyone is going on about kids playing more sport and less computer games. Maybe its a cunning plan between the government and the games developers to develop games to hard for youngsters, so they will go outside and do sports instead!!!!
Here's what I mean.
A long time ago, on a console far, far away, there was Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion. A game for most age ranges, easy to pick up, nice and easy to control, nice learning curve, and a decent playable platformer. I could play it, a 7 year old could play it, and we'd both enjoy the game.
The present, on a PC close to hand, there is The Emperor's New Groove. A game for most age ranges, devilish to pick up, horrible to control, a learning curve that starts somewhere in the Alps and doesn't lose altitude, but still, according to Disney, a decent playable platformer. I can just about play it, my 7 year old nephew likes watching me play it, I hate it, and my nephew can't get to grips with the controls.
The great advancement between the two is the new smooth graphics, huge levels afforded by the CD-Rom format, the crystal clear sound, the cut sequences, it's like playing the movie itself. If you can play it that is.
Now I haven't been to 'school' for many years, but I realise that IT is now a major part of many curriculae, and that most kids should be able to pick up things as they go along with the games. But I think that more and more developers are bringing out games that are just too complicated for younger kids (7-11 range?) to pick up and play, like we older gamers used to be able to do.
Using combo buttons and finding different seeds in Bug's Life on the PSX was way beyond my siblings, but that game was recommended for kids by most of the gaming press. Tarzan, on the other hand (I'm not picking on Disney here, honest), was a lot easier, but still there were some very difficult levels on there.
Learning curves just don't seem to be as evenly curving as they used to be. They seem to start a lot higher up the scale than they used to, and they've lost their exponential shape (start slowly, then start to go up later on). If a game is to be picked up by young gamers and played straight away, it needs to ease them in then 'teach' them as they go along, and I hate to say it, but even Barbie games have their niggly levels, even though they try very hard to say what buttons you are meant to be pressing.
I don't think it is just me, I can get to grips with things like Sim City 3000 (UK edition) in a matter of an hour or two, but again, you'd have to invest a day or two solid manual reading and control familiarisation to get the fine points working to your advantage.
The first Command & Conquer games, you could pick things up quickly, the first few levels were easy and harder factors were worked in at the later levels, but there were still initially some tricky concepts to get to grips with, like learning to select entire units, or control 3 battalions with different commands at the same time. Once you got the knack it was worth it, you'd find the game a lot easier to play. But it could have been made easier given a bit more thought by the developers.
Some games I'll never get to grips with, 'Z' on the PSX I had to give up on in the end, the manual wasn't fully translated into English. Shadow Watch on the PC was another impossible game, after an hour or two of reading the manual and trying things out, I still didn't get anywhere, and that was the tutorial.
I know this is not just me, many other gamers of all ages have the same complaints. Maybe it's because I concentrate purely on RPG and RTS genres, as well as driving sims, that I can pick these games up quickly as the control methods are quite similar across the range of games in these genres.
But I still think that developers are producing games aimed at intermediate and advanced gamers, and not enough is being done for those gamers who are new and just starting out.
What do you think?
A long time ago, on a console far, far away, there was Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion. A game for most age ranges, easy to pick up, nice and easy to control, nice learning curve, and a decent playable platformer. I could play it, a 7 year old could play it, and we'd both enjoy the game.
The present, on a PC close to hand, there is The Emperor's New Groove. A game for most age ranges, devilish to pick up, horrible to control, a learning curve that starts somewhere in the Alps and doesn't lose altitude, but still, according to Disney, a decent playable platformer. I can just about play it, my 7 year old nephew likes watching me play it, I hate it, and my nephew can't get to grips with the controls.
The great advancement between the two is the new smooth graphics, huge levels afforded by the CD-Rom format, the crystal clear sound, the cut sequences, it's like playing the movie itself. If you can play it that is.
Now I haven't been to 'school' for many years, but I realise that IT is now a major part of many curriculae, and that most kids should be able to pick up things as they go along with the games. But I think that more and more developers are bringing out games that are just too complicated for younger kids (7-11 range?) to pick up and play, like we older gamers used to be able to do.
Using combo buttons and finding different seeds in Bug's Life on the PSX was way beyond my siblings, but that game was recommended for kids by most of the gaming press. Tarzan, on the other hand (I'm not picking on Disney here, honest), was a lot easier, but still there were some very difficult levels on there.
Learning curves just don't seem to be as evenly curving as they used to be. They seem to start a lot higher up the scale than they used to, and they've lost their exponential shape (start slowly, then start to go up later on). If a game is to be picked up by young gamers and played straight away, it needs to ease them in then 'teach' them as they go along, and I hate to say it, but even Barbie games have their niggly levels, even though they try very hard to say what buttons you are meant to be pressing.
I don't think it is just me, I can get to grips with things like Sim City 3000 (UK edition) in a matter of an hour or two, but again, you'd have to invest a day or two solid manual reading and control familiarisation to get the fine points working to your advantage.
The first Command & Conquer games, you could pick things up quickly, the first few levels were easy and harder factors were worked in at the later levels, but there were still initially some tricky concepts to get to grips with, like learning to select entire units, or control 3 battalions with different commands at the same time. Once you got the knack it was worth it, you'd find the game a lot easier to play. But it could have been made easier given a bit more thought by the developers.
Some games I'll never get to grips with, 'Z' on the PSX I had to give up on in the end, the manual wasn't fully translated into English. Shadow Watch on the PC was another impossible game, after an hour or two of reading the manual and trying things out, I still didn't get anywhere, and that was the tutorial.
I know this is not just me, many other gamers of all ages have the same complaints. Maybe it's because I concentrate purely on RPG and RTS genres, as well as driving sims, that I can pick these games up quickly as the control methods are quite similar across the range of games in these genres.
But I still think that developers are producing games aimed at intermediate and advanced gamers, and not enough is being done for those gamers who are new and just starting out.
What do you think?