Brokedem: Games Cost Too Much
I remember a time when games were worth $60. At the time, it was a ridiculous request. The going price for a new, big-publisher game was still $50, sometimes $40. In the middle of all this, Blizzard has the audacity to release Warcraft III for the bold price of $60. Despite the depression I felt when I lost the $60 of not-so-hard earned money by the time I got in to playing the game I realized it was more than worth it.
Warcraft 3 was one of those few titles at the time to be priced above the general market and deserved it. It delivered a complete single player and multi-player experience.
Now, I realize that games today have increased their price to reflect the rising costs of development. But what bothers me is that with all these rising costs in development, it begs the question of where the money goes? Larger art staffs? More programmers to build a complete in-house game engine from 3d audio to shader intensive real-time rendering? These are all a large waste of funds.
What we need are more writers, shift the programmers to game logic and A.I., focus more on content than polish. Don't get me wrong, I like shiny things more than the next guy but if you connect it to an empty experience then what's the point? (NOTE: I have to call out Assassin's Creed on this one -- shame on you Ubisoft, make a better game.)
I think Grand Theft Auto 4 was headed in the right direction as far as finding a balance between shiny and depth. It needed more content but it was definitely a start.
I love the premise and attempt behind Too Human. It's a shame I found the initial demo shallow and boring in terms of game play. I think I need to try a replay with some of the "hidden" classes.
A little hypocrisy here: I don't think Soul Calibur 4 will be worth the money with it's lack luster "story" and often tedious single-player modes and unlocking routine but I do believe the new King of Fighters will be worth it. How do I make these judgement calls? Completely subjective.
August 6th, 2008 - 11:51
Glad to see I’m not the one only who thinks the Too Human demo sucks. I mean..it really…SUCKS. I had high hopes for this game…
August 6th, 2008 - 18:40
Yeah, it was a huge let down. Like I said, the concept was good it’s just somewhere along the line they made a crappy game play experience and forgot that you need both. Glad to see you’re reading the blog Zach.