Call of duty & console gaming destroying independent thinking

Originally posted by listerofsmeg
reply to post by strafgod

 

this kinda thing is going to make skyrim suck eventually when you dont want to pay every other month for a new map.

the cure to that, is to play skyrim on pc. Bethesda, despite some personal grievances, I love for supporting the modding community. I added another full sized games worth of fan made content to oblivion all for free.
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Working in the industry, and having been a gamer since I could hold a controller I can speak with a little more certainty.

Firstly, the skills and perks added in shooters today aren't a ploy to make the game easier or for it to play for you, it's part of a long trend of hybridization that seeks to combine elements from other games that were popular to make a game more appealing to wider audiences. The perks are nothing more than a version of rpg elements thrown into a shooter. A better hybrid of the two would be the newest fallout game. This isn't without it shortfalls of course. Bioware ruined mass effect 2 IMO, when they tried to make gears of war.

Secondly, microtransactions are the future of the gaming industry. As long as the full original release stands on it's own, there's no problem with this. The Sims would be a great example of what not to do, $30 expansion packs that add a few skins and some extra furniture. As much as I am not a fan of this new style of business, it does work, valve is releasing episodes of half-life, and iirc this was even stated to be the way theyd be releasing the third in the series, as episodic content rather than a single release under five years of production.

If games have become more and more instant gratification it is because of the trend of all media and society in general, constant connection, the Internet itsel,f has done this; leaving a lasting legacy of companies releasing unfinished games and working out the kinks later ,after the public has found them. There is nobody quite suited to breaking something then someone who has never picked it up before. I have lots of experience with this in particular.

I could rag on for days about how gaming has declined if you let me but really it's not gaming itself, but people; and now games are being modeled to sell to said people. The cycle is fed and controlled entirely by the consumer. The more something works the more it will be copied, that's why shooters all look the same, that's why RPGs aren't as deep as they used to be, that's why the NES and SNES era is looked back upon so fondly; when you could play as a plumber who beat up turtles, ate mushrooms and rescued princesses. Fanboys didn't compete over which franchise was more hardcore, or who was more hardcore because gamers were all the same, we understood what we had in common: we loved games.

Gaming has reached the masses and like all pop-culture, in order to stay "popular" it must be less complex, it must appeal to as many at the same time as possible.

reply to post by RadeonGFXRHumanGTXisAlien

I would have to say that gaming has been lowering the IQ bar of people since Doom fell of the map. By offering no mental challenge other than pressing a button, the brain tends to be frozen in time, and it stays stagnant even after the game is over.

A while back we visited a casino. As we headed to the poker room we came across a commotion. The house had cordoned off a bank of 12 slot machines sitting back to back in two rows of 6. Sitting at each machine were 12 people frantically pushing 12 buttons with 12 fingers, pushing pushing pushing as fast as they could. Topping this there was a man all dressed up in a tuxedo with a microphone announcing the progree of this competition. And on top of this even were the dozen or so people standing around watching.

Of course I don't really know if this is any worse than all the rest of the people slouched around their machines with cigs hanging from their mouths and a drink in their hand tossing coin after coin into the machines.

Gaming entertainment. Yeah it's real good for us.

reply to post by TerryMcGuire


Wow, just like sheep being led to the slaughter.

reply to post by RadeonGFXRHumanGTXisAlien


I don't understand how consoles tie into the dumbing-down of commercial successes like the COD franchise. Do you think you can't buy COD on PC? The same demographic I see playing it on their XBox play it on their PCs too. I agree: after COD 4, everything went to crap and I stopped even renting them. That doesn't mean all FPS games took that turn nor does it mean that consoles instigate it more than PCs.

In fact, some of the most challenging, competitive, and innovative FPS games to come out lately are console exclusive (like MAG) and some are on both (Red Dead Redemption). Just because COD became the MTV of the gaming world doesn't mean the gaming world is screwed.

MTV ruined MTV; not music. COD ruined COD; not video games.


ps - I realize Red Dead Redemption is not an FPS, I threw it in there because it's an genius game with awesome competitive play.

reply to post by Cuervo

ps - I realize Red Dead Redemption is not an FPS, I threw it in there because it's an genius game with awesome competitive play.

Even though I enjoyed that game for the story, it is clearly dumbed down when it comes to gameplay.
There was absolutely no skill or anything needed to complete this game.

Go play some old games and you will see the difference.

Wow.. really? I respect your opinion.. but seriously video games are not the "downfall" of man or society. Where did you come up with this? Your head? What source did you research to think this way? I think you need to do more research to find out why IQ's are declining.. or maybe you're having a hard time with the new COD game?

Originally posted by juleol
Even though I enjoyed that game for the story, it is clearly dumbed down when it comes to gameplay.
There was absolutely no skill or anything needed to complete this game.

Go play some old games and you will see the difference.

This "no skill" bs has to stop, no company would ever be profitable if it released games that only 10% of the population could complete or were so difficult that it took more time than people can or will invest in it. I won't argue that games aren't becoming easier, because they are; but get off your high-horse. "No skill" is such a complete and utter exaggeration.

I used to play unreal 2k4 ALL the time, and frankly COD bores me, not the originals, the new ones. battlefield is where its at, because their maps arn't obseenly small for one example of the flaws, nevermind the stupid shotgun knifing run around like a tard bug, war doesn't happen like that, i've always been more into flashpoint games however the latest incarnations of those have been fairly dull.

programmers and game companys need to bring story back into games over graphical content, else sooner or later people will figure out they are bored to and go play an rpg.

reply to post by RadeonGFXRHumanGTXisAlien

Yes, PC gaming can be educational. Console games: we don't have em...never will. Nuff said. My kids both get straight A's and are leaders and independent thinkers. Console games...we didn't have them...who needs 'em?

reply to post by RadeonGFXRHumanGTXisAlien


This is gonna get moved to BTS, still its an interesting topic to me personally.

I disagree.

I'm a Call of Duty player, have been since Call of Duty 3, and while I agree that the learning curve is designed so that almost anyone can pick up the controller and play there are those that are better at the game than others and there are those that are proficient at certain weapons in the game but suck with others.

Also, as a huge Call of Duty fan I can definitively say that I am not cheering for MW3 and you're absolutely right it looks like a rehash of Modern Warfare 2. Call of Duty has become the Madden of FPS games in that every new game is just a little bit different, they pick a few things to reorganize and polish and then rehash an all but identical game. You could say the exact same thing about Half-Life 2 Episodes 1 and 2 though, they are functionally the same as Half-Life 2. The formula works and I have a feeling that if MW3 departed too far from what the fans are used to it wouldn't sell quite as well. At this point I'm about 50/50 as to whether I'm gonna bother getting the new game at all.

You also have to remember that gamers don't JUST play Call of Duty. There are games that make you think :cough: PORTAL 2 :cough: outside the box (or inside the test chamber). There's no law that says you can't play an hour of Call of Duty and then switch over to a more intelligent game like Portal or some other puzzle game. Call of Duty may be circling the drain as far as originality is concerned but I don't think there's some sinister conspiracy involved or any real reduction in thinking skills. Hell if anything Call of Duty makes me a better thinker, there's nothing like the feeling of successfully outsmarting another human being that the multiplayer can give you. A successful flanking maneuver or knowing when to knife vs. when to shoot, the game does require some on your feet thinking if you want to be good at it.

They however increase dexterity, hand eye coordination, timing, strategy and tactics, efficiency in evaluating combat scenarios. (considering a lot of the game play is learned through repetition)

have you played the LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean game? Tell me console gaming destroy independent thinking HA!

Idk about you guys, but shooters are cool and all but madden is where it's at especially the new one.. If we're talking strategy here then there really isn't a more strategy filled game more then madden. It's practically a human chess game.. I disagree with the notion that video games in itself are dumbing us down, when it's in fact the kids playing the games. I do agree that games are far less challenging then they used to be.. Back in the day you had like 3 lives on Contra to beat the game, when nowadays you can save the game from everypoint.. Games aren't just for strategy and fun now, there purely entertainment..

Well, the Assassin's Creed series is pretty awesome.

In fact, I'm surprised nobody has said anything about it....I'm sure there is a thread on here about it.


ETA: Yep, lots of threads on it. It's a conspiracy theorist's wet dream.

reply to post by yadda333


Love that series,
however, it has seemed to be dumbed down a bit from the original (as in treasure maps/flag locations are given)..maybe because it's not "new" any more and I know what to do

Originally posted by Vardoger
reply to post by yadda333

 

Love that series,
however, it has seemed to be dumbed down a bit from the original (as in treasure maps/flag locations are given)..maybe because it's not "new" any more and I know what to do

Interesting point....I didn't really notice. I probably need to go back and play the first again sometime and see what's different.

I'm just now playing AC:2--I love looking for glyphs and solving the puzzles.

Originally posted by eNumbra

Originally posted by juleol
Even though I enjoyed that game for the story, it is clearly dumbed down when it comes to gameplay.
There was absolutely no skill or anything needed to complete this game.

Go play some old games and you will see the difference.

This "no skill" bs has to stop, no company would ever be profitable if it released games that only 10% of the population could complete or were so difficult that it took more time than people can or will invest in it. I won't argue that games aren't becoming easier, because they are; but get off your high-horse. "No skill" is such a complete and utter exaggeration.

Especially because when I hear somebody complain about a game not taking any skill, it's about a game they are horrible at. Twitch-gaming isn't the end-all-be-all benchmark for skill level. I know several COD players fail miserably at RDR and those are the same Halo cats that say "such and such takes no skill". By that rationale, only FPS games based on contemporary weaponry can require skill. And even then, you still have people complain about any game mode that isn't a mindless death match.

I agree, the whole "leet" gamer attitude is nothing but that; and attitude.

COD... yes... it's fun. When you are playing on STEAM!!!!!

I used a hacked version now for COD Modern Warfare 2. Takes away all the B.S that comes w/ Steam.

But, you are correct that anyone can step up and play it (Grannies etc). the more the merrier... (targets for me).

Originally posted by juleol
reply to post by Cuervo

 

ps - I realize Red Dead Redemption is not an FPS, I threw it in there because it's an genius game with awesome competitive play.

Even though I enjoyed that game for the story, it is clearly dumbed down when it comes to gameplay.
There was absolutely no skill or anything needed to complete this game.

Go play some old games and you will see the difference.

"Dumbed down" compared to "old games"? Hahah! Like what, COD2, UT, Quake, etc? Games that were pure death match, had no cover mechanics, no vehicles, no concepts beyond "kill those guys", no strategy... you mean those games? Bomberman had more skill requirement that most early day FPS games, for crying out loud.

If "dumbed down" means you need to think more, rely on environmental protection and hazards, form tactics, and learn a multitude of game modes, then I guess either we need to rewrite the dictionary or somebody doesn't understand what the term means.

Funny no one mentioned Black Ops.

Dumbing down? That game's single player campaign is geared almost directly at most ATS'ers.

Who doesn't love the JFK angle. Hell they even mention the bilderburg's, illuminati, Counicl of 300 etc.

I love that game.

Sgt. Frank Woods is the best video game character OF ALL TIME!

I enjoy video games because to a certain extent youre right...they do dumb you down...but only to reality. Just for a moment you can stop being a regular Joe and become a dragon slayer, astronaught, special ops, rockstar...etc. I find that video games are a good coping mechanism for people that have problems in life, whatever the problem may be..you can escape by just pressing the power button on the console.

as for COD..i couldnt get into it...something about being alive..killing 3-4 people..then dying and repeating the process..yeah not for me, but i get a kick out of my brother yelling at the TV tho...fun times.