I think one of the things which is keeping large devs from trying for the mobile market is that they've still got this "every game must be a high-budget blockbuster" mentality. Throwing wads of cash at a project has largely replaced the concept of implementing good ideas on the bigger end of the company scale, which is pretty much anathema to designing a profitable mobile game.
I think they're not fully set up to create smaller-scope projects. But many companies are starting to do so, set up small mobile teams. Others are just contracting out for port jobs.
And slash, speaking of making a profit off of good ideas rather than using boatloads of cash, are you guys developing for the mobile markets at all?
We're looking into the mobile market (and other platforms too), yes, but I can't say the specifics yet.
Look everyone, news! That doesn't involve Apple vs. PC! That could be worth discussing!
Hideo Kojima, respected creator of Metal Gear Solid and Zone of the Enders, has posted to twitter a rather interesting take on the VGAs, stating his belief that the awards show will help to serve as a more popualr alternative to E3 when it comes to announcing games.
“From next [year] on, announcing new title @ VGA may become a trend rather than announcing @ E3,” said Kojima on his English-based twitter account.
Kojima Productions, Konami and Platinum Games just revealed their latest title at the end of the awards show, while other studios like Naughty Dog, BioWare, Epic and High Moon Studios also did the same.
Sony's reveal of The Last of Us at Spike's VGAs wowed gamers and many in the industry. Following Uncharted 3, which itself had incredible presentation and storytelling, Naughty Dog said it's looking to "raise the bar" and change the generally "poor" storytelling in video games.
Naughty Dog creative director and writer Neil Druckmann told Eurogamer, "We try so hard at Naughty Dog to push things. And then games come out that are fun and exciting and get visceral things right, but to read in reviews that they have an amazing story is disheartening to us because we work so hard at it. As critics we need to raise the bar, otherwise no-one's going to change. We're going to keep pushing ourselves, and kill ourselves to make this story happen - but hope that by doing it, the rest of the industry is going to take notice and try to do the same thing."
The trailer for The Last of Us shows a gruesome tale of survival and a young female and father figure protecting each other. And that's really at the heart of the story, said Druckmann. "This is going to sound corny, and it might not appeal to gamers, but I would say it's a love story. It's not a romantic love story, it's a love story about a father-daughter-like relationship," he said.
Druckmann added, "We approached this genre because we felt no-one is getting to the heart of it. It tells you something about the human condition - that's what you want to do as a storyteller. We're not saying every game needs a strong, compelling and dramatic story, but if you are going to make a narrative-based game then you better learn the craft."
On the one hand, I'm all about improving story in games.
On the other, it seems like so many times a developer goes on and on about how important story is, their game manages to have serious narrative problems.
Since when is Nintendo a self-preening company which sells products through massive marketing campaigns rather than quality?
Because I've got my gripes about Nintendo, but it's pretty insulting to put them in an Apple analogy.
Quality aside, Nintendo's marketing budget is enormous. They spent over $200 million dollars marketing for the Wii's launch for example.
Yeah, but the Wii was at least cheap and they made good games for it. What Apple product has ever been reasonably priced?
I'm not sure where you've been in 2006 and 2007, but a lot of people were deriding Nintendo for releasing an underpowered console with a gimmick for $250 (also known as two GameCubes taped together). Sure, it was cheaper than its competition, but the gaming crowd wasn't really convinced until Super Mario Galaxy arrived, which released a full year later. Even then people en masse were telling everyone they traded in their Wiis or that theirs were collecting dust. The Wii did not do a portion of their loyal fanbase any favors. It's possibly one of the reasons they're releasing an HD console to recapture that demographic again.
I think Mac laptops are of the same basic quality of their Windows counterparts.
Then I suspect you have not owned one.
I would concede that a high end Lenovo or Vaio would be of a similar level of quality, but your 599 dollar similar-specced dell system will have a shittier display, a flimsy case, piss poor battery life, and a non-existent resale value a couple years down the road...
But, errr.... Tangent? Anyways, I think the mobile market is going to be one of radical change in the coming years, and it will be fun to watch.
I work with one every day. I know it stings, but seriously Windows 7 just runs better than this Mac OS. I feel like I'm hamstrung when using the Mac.
Uncharted was a mess as far as narrative goes. Drake was a poorly written hypocritical nazi and that made the entire game feel really dumb as far as narrative went. The gameplay was alright, but seriously the story was just dumb. 'Hi, I'm Nathan Drake and I'm going to turn into a genocidal retard because someone stole something from me that I stole and I'll act all morally highground about it and somehow the narrative will back me up.' ..wait wut?
I dunno, whenever I hear about devs talking about how they want to raise the bar it just sounds like egotistical masturbation. Games like Bastion raise the bar by being quality products and the developers never feel any need to wave their dicks around about it.
Uncharted was a mess as far as narrative goes. Drake was a poorly written hypocritical nazi and that made the entire game feel really dumb as far as narrative went. The gameplay was alright, but seriously the story was just dumb. 'Hi, I'm Nathan Drake and I'm going to turn into a genocidal retard because someone stole something from me that I stole and I'll act all morally highground about it and somehow the narrative will back me up.' ..wait wut?
I dunno, whenever I hear about devs talking about how they want to raise the bar it just sounds like egotistical masturbation. Games like Bastion raise the bar by being quality products and the developers never feel any need to wave their dicks around about it.
Uncharted was a mess as far as narrative goes. Drake was a poorly written hypocritical nazi and that made the entire game feel really dumb as far as narrative went. The gameplay was alright, but seriously the story was just dumb. 'Hi, I'm Nathan Drake and I'm going to turn into a genocidal retard because someone stole something from me that I stole and I'll act all morally highground about it and somehow the narrative will back me up.' ..wait wut?
I dunno, whenever I hear about devs talking about how they want to raise the bar it just sounds like egotistical masturbation. Games like Bastion raise the bar by being quality products and the developers never feel any need to wave their dicks around about it.
Voice acting was top notch though.
This I cannot deny. They chose excellent VA and whoever directed them deserves a pat on the back.
0
Ninja Snarl PMy helmet is my burden.Ninja Snarl: Gone, but not forgotten.Registered Userregular
And slash, speaking of making a profit off of good ideas rather than using boatloads of cash, are you guys developing for the mobile markets at all?
We're looking into the mobile market (and other platforms too), yes, but I can't say the specifics yet.
That makes sense. You guys already price your games such that there's almost no impulse barrier to overcome, so I figured you'd naturally be looking at the mobile market to some extent. I could see an interface rework getting them quite nicely onto mobile devices, but I know there's a lot more beyond that to get worked out, particularly in terms of cost of redoing certain things versus what you think you guys might make back.
Man, EA's all about creating multimedia extravaganzas to help sell their games. Which kinda worked for Dead Space, though not so much for Dante's Inferno Hank's Hellatorium.
I liked it when everyone was arguing over mobile apps being real games or difficulty of games, instead of Apple vs PC.
I'm not sold on the whole iphone is the new traveling gaming, all traditional handhelds are doomed thing, but Apple is a hell of a lot more relevant to the handheld market than Microsoft is to the PC gaming market
EDIT: If I didn't already dislike DA2 when that Felicia Day thing came out, it might have unsold me on it even more
Microsoft Said to Seek TV Executive to Develop Shows for Xbox Live Service
"Microsoft Corp. is seeking to hire a television executive to develop original shows as part of a drive to expand its Xbox Live game and video service, according to people with knowledge of the company’s plans.
Microsoft has hired Tom Schneider, a partner at Stratis LLC, to conduct the search, said the people, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Two former NBC executives, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin, have been approached, they said. "
Man, EA's all about creating multimedia extravaganzas to help sell their games. Which kinda worked for Dead Space, though not so much for Dante's Inferno Hank's Hellatorium.
Microsoft Said to Seek TV Executive to Develop Shows for Xbox Live Service
"Microsoft Corp. is seeking to hire a television executive to develop original shows as part of a drive to expand its Xbox Live game and video service, according to people with knowledge of the company’s plans.
Microsoft has hired Tom Schneider, a partner at Stratis LLC, to conduct the search, said the people, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Two former NBC executives, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin, have been approached, they said. "
they sorta already did this right? there was a time where the guild was free to watch... and they have recently made an equally crappy show created by the guy who made 'code monkeys', also a shitty show.
here's hoping they can actually make something watchable... not even good, just something i'd actually laugh at once or twice.
Man, EA's all about creating multimedia extravaganzas to help sell their games. Which kinda worked for Dead Space, though not so much for Dante's Inferno Hank's Hellatorium.
You'd be surprised how many game series with prominent characters get some kind of anime spinoff. Did you know about the Halo: Legends, the animated Halo shorts collection?
The more you know...
Zephiran on
Alright and in this next scene all the animals have AIDS.
Microsoft Said to Seek TV Executive to Develop Shows for Xbox Live Service
"Microsoft Corp. is seeking to hire a television executive to develop original shows as part of a drive to expand its Xbox Live game and video service, according to people with knowledge of the company’s plans.
Microsoft has hired Tom Schneider, a partner at Stratis LLC, to conduct the search, said the people, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Two former NBC executives, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin, have been approached, they said. "
they sorta already did this right? there was a time where the guild was free to watch... and they have recently made an equally crappy show created by the guy who made 'code monkeys', also a shitty show.
here's hoping they can actually make something watchable... not even good, just something i'd actually laugh at once or twice.
I hope you aren't calling Code Monkeys a shitty show, because it was awesome.
On the other, it seems like so many times a developer goes on and on about how important story is, their game manages to have serious narrative problems.
Part of the problem could be said to stem from the fact that the narrative of a game is tied heavily into the game itself. And when they cut some of the game, the narrative pretty much goes with it.
MS had the best show available. 1 vs 100. They cancelled it. They can fuck right off now.
Part of the problem could be said to stem from the fact that the narrative of a game is tied heavily into the game itself. And when they cut some of the game, the narrative pretty much goes with it.
I'm gonna stick with Cloudeagle and say it's probably because most people can't write a story for shit.
I think Mac laptops are of the same basic quality of their Windows counterparts.
Then I suspect you have not owned one.
I would concede that a high end Lenovo or Vaio would be of a similar level of quality, but your 599 dollar similar-specced dell system will have a shittier display, a flimsy case, piss poor battery life, and a non-existent resale value a couple years down the road...
But, errr.... Tangent? Anyways, I think the mobile market is going to be one of radical change in the coming years, and it will be fun to watch.
I work with one every day. I know it stings, but seriously Windows 7 just runs better than this Mac OS. I feel like I'm hamstrung when using the Mac.
Briefly putting aside Windows 7 vs. OSX....what kind of Mac would you be getting at $599? And not including student deals, sales, or the like, because these exist for all manufacturer models, and the image Syndalis is conjuring up sounds suspiciouly like one that isn't substantially marked down.
I say this because the build quality on some "whiteback" Mac Books is pretty shitty, at least the past. To be fair, I'm using an HP Pavillion, which is hardly stellar, but some of them I would grade lower that that even. THey may have overcome that though.
The Mini's interior has more in common with a non-portable laptop than a desktop, I'd agree, but what kind of accessories did it come with--monitor, keyboard, etc.?
And, of course, you've got Netbooks, which isn't quite an area Apple does, I think (distinct from things like the MacBook Air and other superthin laptops with alrge screens).
The Mini's interior has more in common with a non-portable laptop than a desktop, I'd agree, but what kind of accessories did it come with--monitor, keyboard, etc.?
And, of course, you've got Netbooks, which isn't quite an area Apple does, I think (distinct from things like the MacBook Air and other superthin laptops with alrge screens).
Mac Mini is apparently a i5 sandy bridge with nothing but the mini itself for 599$. 2.3ghz, 2gb ram, 5400rpm drive (lulz) and a HD3000 graphics chip. Upgrade to the 799$ version for a 2.5ghz, 4gb ram and a 256mb graphics card!
Woo
Roffle, add a monitor for 1000$, a 7200rpm drive for 150$, 50$ keyboard and a 'magic mouse' for 70$. What a deal!
edited: Wow, bump it up to a dual core i7 (I didnt even know they made dual core i7s), 8gb of a ram, slap in a 7200rpm drive and its already at 1200$ with nothing else changed. The price scaling on these things is amazing.
MS had the best show available. 1 vs 100. They cancelled it. They can fuck right off now.
Part of the problem could be said to stem from the fact that the narrative of a game is tied heavily into the game itself. And when they cut some of the game, the narrative pretty much goes with it.
I'm gonna stick with Cloudeagle and say it's probably because most people can't write a story for shit.
I said 'part'.
Also 1 vs 100 sucked. They canceled it because the license was costing them too much money.
Yeah. Apple's overpriced. That's no secret/scandal. They are quality machines though. I bet if I could find my old SE it would still work well.
EDIT
^^^
I had a good time playing it.
I like kitschy game shows. At Dave and Busters I played the briefcase game and got down to $400 in tickets or $1/2/4 in tickets and my chosen briefcase and fucked it up each time. The staff kept buying me games because "no one has come closer".
I played the beta, but it was so lackluster that I never once considered playing the 'full' version. The idea (of having some kind of game show that LIVE subscribers can play) is a good one, but anything people would recognise would cost money and everything else would cause greater apathy.
1 vs 100 was simply a failed experiment. It's more of a shame that they haven't really done much along those lines since. The closest I can figure was the Game Room thing, but that still had the same licensing problems. In the end, an idea ahead of its time.
Since when is Nintendo a self-preening company which sells products through massive marketing campaigns rather than quality?
Because I've got my gripes about Nintendo, but it's pretty insulting to put them in an Apple analogy.
Quality aside, Nintendo's marketing budget is enormous. They spent over $200 million dollars marketing for the Wii's launch for example.
Yeah, but the Wii was at least cheap and they made good games for it. What Apple product has ever been reasonably priced?
I'm not sure where you've been in 2006 and 2007, but a lot of people were deriding Nintendo for releasing an underpowered console with a gimmick for $250 (also known as two GameCubes taped together). Sure, it was cheaper than its competition, but the gaming crowd wasn't really convinced until Super Mario Galaxy arrived, which released a full year later. Even then people en masse were telling everyone they traded in their Wiis or that theirs were collecting dust. The Wii did not do a portion of their loyal fanbase any favors. It's possibly one of the reasons they're releasing an HD console to recapture that demographic again.
I agree entirely. Even if the Wii was $250 on release in the US, in NZ at the time it was about $500 and you got seriously gouged out the asshole on peripherals. I waited until Super Mario Galaxy came out - a full six months again after the US release BTW - before I got one. It was well worth the purchase then. But after all the peripherals (a second wiimote to play rail shooters with friends, component cable, classic controllers etc) I found the Wii cost me slightly more than my 360 (with two controllers) did. Especially because I much preferred the classic controller over the Wiimote/Nunchuck (I missed out on the Monster Hunter Tri deal that would have given me a super cheap classic controller to play the game with).
I don't regret buying my Wii, but other than some rare occasions it was gathering dust half the time because half the games I wanted never came to NZ or did after ridiculous delays. I certainly won't be buying a WiiU unless Nintendo does something truly amazing to turn this sort of shit around.
Nintendo is hardly alone in treating Australia and New Zealand horribly
They treat us especially shit. At least with Microsoft and Sony if there is a major exclusive game important to that system, we get it when the rest of the world does. Unlike Nintendo, who doesn't bother releasing major games like Mario: Galaxy in this region on time. Our one saving grace is that at least we got Xenoblade! That game really is worth all the angst over it, because it probably is one of the better JRPGs this generation and really makes me miss my Wii (from what I've played of it).
Look it takes a long time for games to reach Australia from Japan. First, they have to be released in Japan. Then, they have to be pirated in China. After that is a release date in the US (unless it's a Capcom game). Eventually, Europe gets it. Soon, the game just goes on walkabout around Africa and the rest of Asia. Finally, it flies to the moon flapping it's arms like a maddened buzzard.
So you see, it's usually just too fucking tired to bother with Australasia.
Part of the problem could be said to stem from the fact that the narrative of a game is tied heavily into the game itself. And when they cut some of the game, the narrative pretty much goes with it.
I'm gonna stick with Cloudeagle and say it's probably because most people can't write a story for shit.
I said 'part'.
Yeah, while most game stories aren't great to begin with, the game design process seems to often play havoc on any sort of quality narrative.
Like, hey, we cut this section for time. Oops, guess the story makes no fucking sense anymore!
Part of the problem could be said to stem from the fact that the narrative of a game is tied heavily into the game itself. And when they cut some of the game, the narrative pretty much goes with it.
I'm gonna stick with Cloudeagle and say it's probably because most people can't write a story for shit.
I said 'part'.
Yeah, while most game stories aren't great to begin with, the game design process seems to often play havoc on any sort of quality narrative.
Like, hey, we cut this section for time. Oops, guess the story makes no fucking sense anymore!
Everybody's favourite 'bad story' whipping boy should come to mind. Indigo Prophecy may not have been a great story, but it was supposed to be more than what we ended up with.
Posts
Obviously. I'm not saying the NDS/3DS/Vita games had console level budgets.
I think they're not fully set up to create smaller-scope projects. But many companies are starting to do so, set up small mobile teams. Others are just contracting out for port jobs.
We're looking into the mobile market (and other platforms too), yes, but I can't say the specifics yet.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
http://www.industrygamers.com/news/metal-gear-creator-expecting-more-game-announcements-at-vgas-than-e3/
That's both very likely and kinda depressing.
http://www.industrygamers.com/news/sonys-the-last-of-us-is-really-a-love-story/
On the one hand, I'm all about improving story in games.
On the other, it seems like so many times a developer goes on and on about how important story is, their game manages to have serious narrative problems.
I'm not sure where you've been in 2006 and 2007, but a lot of people were deriding Nintendo for releasing an underpowered console with a gimmick for $250 (also known as two GameCubes taped together). Sure, it was cheaper than its competition, but the gaming crowd wasn't really convinced until Super Mario Galaxy arrived, which released a full year later. Even then people en masse were telling everyone they traded in their Wiis or that theirs were collecting dust. The Wii did not do a portion of their loyal fanbase any favors. It's possibly one of the reasons they're releasing an HD console to recapture that demographic again.
I work with one every day. I know it stings, but seriously Windows 7 just runs better than this Mac OS. I feel like I'm hamstrung when using the Mac.
I dunno, whenever I hear about devs talking about how they want to raise the bar it just sounds like egotistical masturbation. Games like Bastion raise the bar by being quality products and the developers never feel any need to wave their dicks around about it.
Voice acting was top notch though.
This I cannot deny. They chose excellent VA and whoever directed them deserves a pat on the back.
That makes sense. You guys already price your games such that there's almost no impulse barrier to overcome, so I figured you'd naturally be looking at the mobile market to some extent. I could see an interface rework getting them quite nicely onto mobile devices, but I know there's a lot more beyond that to get worked out, particularly in terms of cost of redoing certain things versus what you think you guys might make back.
Man, EA's all about creating multimedia extravaganzas to help sell their games. Which kinda worked for Dead Space, though not so much for Dante's Inferno Hank's Hellatorium.
Also, roffle, anime well respected by western audiences. Not by the meatheads you targeted DA2 at, EA.
EDIT: If I didn't already dislike DA2 when that Felicia Day thing came out, it might have unsold me on it even more
"Microsoft Corp. is seeking to hire a television executive to develop original shows as part of a drive to expand its Xbox Live game and video service, according to people with knowledge of the company’s plans.
Microsoft has hired Tom Schneider, a partner at Stratis LLC, to conduct the search, said the people, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Two former NBC executives, Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin, have been approached, they said. "
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-09/microsoft-said-to-seek-tv-executive-to-develop-shows-for-xbox-live-service.html
Fix the red ring of death and win a salary job.
Morrigan disapproves -200
they sorta already did this right? there was a time where the guild was free to watch... and they have recently made an equally crappy show created by the guy who made 'code monkeys', also a shitty show.
here's hoping they can actually make something watchable... not even good, just something i'd actually laugh at once or twice.
PS - Local_H_Jay
Sub me on Youtube
And Twitch
You'd be surprised how many game series with prominent characters get some kind of anime spinoff. Did you know about the Halo: Legends, the animated Halo shorts collection?
The more you know...
I got a little excited when I saw your ship.
I hope you aren't calling Code Monkeys a shitty show, because it was awesome.
PS - Local_H_Jay
Sub me on Youtube
And Twitch
I hope they pick good shows and distribute them internationally. Zune is kind of meh in Latin America.
I wish this show had a better distribution globally.
"We have years of struggle ahead, mostly within ourselves." - Made in USA
Part of the problem could be said to stem from the fact that the narrative of a game is tied heavily into the game itself. And when they cut some of the game, the narrative pretty much goes with it.
I'm gonna stick with Cloudeagle and say it's probably because most people can't write a story for shit.
Briefly putting aside Windows 7 vs. OSX....what kind of Mac would you be getting at $599? And not including student deals, sales, or the like, because these exist for all manufacturer models, and the image Syndalis is conjuring up sounds suspiciouly like one that isn't substantially marked down.
I say this because the build quality on some "whiteback" Mac Books is pretty shitty, at least the past. To be fair, I'm using an HP Pavillion, which is hardly stellar, but some of them I would grade lower that that even. THey may have overcome that though.
And, of course, you've got Netbooks, which isn't quite an area Apple does, I think (distinct from things like the MacBook Air and other superthin laptops with alrge screens).
Mac Mini is apparently a i5 sandy bridge with nothing but the mini itself for 599$. 2.3ghz, 2gb ram, 5400rpm drive (lulz) and a HD3000 graphics chip. Upgrade to the 799$ version for a 2.5ghz, 4gb ram and a 256mb graphics card!
Woo
Roffle, add a monitor for 1000$, a 7200rpm drive for 150$, 50$ keyboard and a 'magic mouse' for 70$. What a deal!
edited: Wow, bump it up to a dual core i7 (I didnt even know they made dual core i7s), 8gb of a ram, slap in a 7200rpm drive and its already at 1200$ with nothing else changed. The price scaling on these things is amazing.
I said 'part'.
Also 1 vs 100 sucked. They canceled it because the license was costing them too much money.
Yeah. Apple's overpriced. That's no secret/scandal. They are quality machines though. I bet if I could find my old SE it would still work well.
EDIT
^^^
I had a good time playing it.
I like kitschy game shows. At Dave and Busters I played the briefcase game and got down to $400 in tickets or $1/2/4 in tickets and my chosen briefcase and fucked it up each time. The staff kept buying me games because "no one has come closer".
1 vs 100 was simply a failed experiment. It's more of a shame that they haven't really done much along those lines since. The closest I can figure was the Game Room thing, but that still had the same licensing problems. In the end, an idea ahead of its time.
I agree entirely. Even if the Wii was $250 on release in the US, in NZ at the time it was about $500 and you got seriously gouged out the asshole on peripherals. I waited until Super Mario Galaxy came out - a full six months again after the US release BTW - before I got one. It was well worth the purchase then. But after all the peripherals (a second wiimote to play rail shooters with friends, component cable, classic controllers etc) I found the Wii cost me slightly more than my 360 (with two controllers) did. Especially because I much preferred the classic controller over the Wiimote/Nunchuck (I missed out on the Monster Hunter Tri deal that would have given me a super cheap classic controller to play the game with).
I don't regret buying my Wii, but other than some rare occasions it was gathering dust half the time because half the games I wanted never came to NZ or did after ridiculous delays. I certainly won't be buying a WiiU unless Nintendo does something truly amazing to turn this sort of shit around.
They treat us especially shit. At least with Microsoft and Sony if there is a major exclusive game important to that system, we get it when the rest of the world does. Unlike Nintendo, who doesn't bother releasing major games like Mario: Galaxy in this region on time. Our one saving grace is that at least we got Xenoblade! That game really is worth all the angst over it, because it probably is one of the better JRPGs this generation and really makes me miss my Wii (from what I've played of it).
So you see, it's usually just too fucking tired to bother with Australasia.
Yeah, while most game stories aren't great to begin with, the game design process seems to often play havoc on any sort of quality narrative.
Like, hey, we cut this section for time. Oops, guess the story makes no fucking sense anymore!
Everybody's favourite 'bad story' whipping boy should come to mind. Indigo Prophecy may not have been a great story, but it was supposed to be more than what we ended up with.