Posted December 15, 2010
Posted December 15, 2010
Also, you say that consoles don't get things like Independence War and DCS: Black Shark. Okay
First, when did we last get an I-War? :p
Second, most PC gamers haven't even heard of DCS: Black Shark.
And by this same token, PC games tend to not get most of the games in the genres we DO like (seriously, turn-based tactical games have thrived on consoles, died on PC.), and we have a serious dearth of fighting games and platformers (we get some of each, but very little).
Hell, combat-oriented FLIGHT SIMS have actually thrived more on consoles over the past few years. Of the "quality" ones, we have IL-2 and (maybe) the Wings Over games (think Locked-On was over 10?). Consoles had the Ace Combat series (surprisingly fun), a sequel to Crimson Skies, and probably a lot more I don't know about. Sure they are less simmy and more arcadey, but the hardcore sim-nature of a lot of the "Proper" Flight Sims tend to alienate anyway (IL-2's success is probably because it lets you set a lot of crap).
All platforms have their advantages and their disadvantages. But either way, the demographic for these kinds of TV shows are generally "douchebag" console gamers, rather than "elitest" PC gamers.
Yeah, even the PC doesn't get a whole lot of sims these days, but we still do get them every so often. DCS: A-10C Warthog is already in public beta, and we've got indies developing stuff like the Evochron series if you're looking toward the stars.
I don't really count Ace Combat as a sim at all. More of an aerial combat game, just like Crimson Skies. That doesn't make them bad games, but to put them under the same label as stuff like Falcon 4.0 just seems totally wrong. (About the only thing hardcore sim-wise that consoles get are the racing titles; Richard Burns Rally did have PS2 and Xbox versions, and I don't think I need to elaborate on Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo. However, the PC gets the mods that make RBR current, not to mention rFactor, GTR, etc.)
I did admit that the PC is seriously lacking in fighting games (if you don't count emulation, of course)-hell, it doesn't even get the latest examples of Capcom Sequel Stagnation at times. As for platformers, that's increasingly something that only the indies are willing to provide (see I Wanna Be The Guy, Eversion, and VVVVVV for a few fairly recent examples)-the only high-profile platformers I can think of having been released recently are first-party offerings from a console manufacturer, to say the least, and those would obviously not release on any other console, let alone the PC. Still, genre weaknesses are genre weaknesses, and I do have a whole fleet of old consoles for a reason.
Back to your point about "most PC gamers haven't even heard of DCS: Black Shark": I have a feeling that a lot of the mainstream console gaming mindset has also carried over to the PC gaming demographic somewhat, what with all the emphasis on multiplayer FPSs and such. It's just that the opportunity for hands-down superior graphics and controls gives them an "excuse" to act all elitist, as if they're the "glorious PC-gaming master race" looking down on the "dirty console peasant fanboys". (Quotes for a sarcastic tone, of course.) Doesn't help that gaming PCs cost more money, thus they're likelier to be richer/more affluent and have yet another "excuse" to act elitist. The kind of people who would frequent a place like SimHQ wouldn't act like that, but they're ultimately the minority. A lot of PC gamers these days just want their Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with better graphics and mouse aim.
Posted December 15, 2010
The Ace Combat games are fun if you can stomach those empty-headed morons rambling on about how terrible war is over the radio every five minutes, but they're not flight sims.They're action games where you fly planes.
Post edited December 15, 2010 by Zeewolf
Posted December 15, 2010
The Ace Combat games are fun if you can stomach those empty-headed morons rambling on about how terrible war is over the radio every five minutes, but they're not flight sims.They're action games where you fly planes.
Posted December 15, 2010
Ok. I definitely don't agree with that, but hey.
Even if you consider them flight sims, they're typical 7/10-material at best, and they're pretty much the only series like it that don't get PC-versions.
Even if you consider them flight sims, they're typical 7/10-material at best, and they're pretty much the only series like it that don't get PC-versions.
Posted December 15, 2010
As a J-school grad and former freelance reporter, I take issue with that. While serious reporters should be treated seriously, the shills, hacks, and mouthpieces that make up the bulk of the profession should be treated with all the scorn they deserve.
Posted December 15, 2010
Even if you consider them flight sims, they're typical 7/10-material at best, and they're pretty much the only series like it that don't get PC-versions.
Which is probably why most of the more successful flight sims have focused on WWI and WWII. LOT fewer knobs back then :p
For a similar case: Take a look at the evolution of the RPG. We all basically started in the same place (Dungeon Crawls), but whereas the PC/"Western" RPG tended to shift a focus toward character development, the Console/"Japanese" RPG tended to shift a focus toward grinding, to the point that they are really three genres at this point.
Mech Combat in general, really. Consoles have it (from varying degrees of "realism". Gundam games for fighting game style mechs, Armored Core for a balance between Mechwarrior and Swordy McSworderton Mechs, and even that weird RAD game that was just all shades of awesome gimmicky goodness :p). Last real mech game we had (I don't count Front Mission Evolved, since that is really closer to Shogo than a proper Mech Game) is probably Mechwarrior 4 (If I missed one, PLEASE tell me :p). And I think the community was pretty divided on that one.
Like I said, both platforms have their advantages and their disadvantages. Their genres that they excel at, and their genres that they ignore.
Posted December 15, 2010
Not sure who this Joe guy is, but he really didn't go into this very well. That's not to say that the VGA doesn't really have an integrity as an awards show for gaming. It's just such a commercial venture trying what it can to maximize viewers, and not caring too much about recognizing quality games. Frankly, I find the majority of game journalists are pathetic, and no one really seems to have the chops to tackle stuff like this well. At least this guy didn't just start praising the guy, as I suspect most of the gaming press would do (sucking up is about all they seem an good at in most interviews).
Posted December 15, 2010
Gametrailers represents everything I hate about this industry right now. Shane on their podcast thing and Geoff on their other shit are such fratboys they epitomize the "OMG BROS MADDENS!" kind of gamer, and they run massive gaming media sites! Arg!
Posted December 15, 2010
Which is probably why most of the more successful flight sims have focused on WWI and WWII. LOT fewer knobs back then :p
For a similar case: Take a look at the evolution of the RPG. We all basically started in the same place (Dungeon Crawls), but whereas the PC/"Western" RPG tended to shift a focus toward character development, the Console/"Japanese" RPG tended to shift a focus toward grinding, to the point that they are really three genres at this point.
Mech Combat in general, really. Consoles have it (from varying degrees of "realism". Gundam games for fighting game style mechs, Armored Core for a balance between Mechwarrior and Swordy McSworderton Mechs, and even that weird RAD game that was just all shades of awesome gimmicky goodness :p). Last real mech game we had (I don't count Front Mission Evolved, since that is really closer to Shogo than a proper Mech Game) is probably Mechwarrior 4 (If I missed one, PLEASE tell me :p). And I think the community was pretty divided on that one.
Like I said, both platforms have their advantages and their disadvantages. Their genres that they excel at, and their genres that they ignore.
Posted December 15, 2010
He also dresses up and mocks stuff about certain games, he's worth a watch.
Posted December 15, 2010
I never heard of Angry Joe either, but I felt bad for him in the interview. Like others have said, he didn't handle it well, but Angry Joe also admitted that.
and yeah that Geoff guy was a total douchebag. Angry Joe was asking a question and Geoff wasn't even paying any attention to him, looking at the screaming crowd instead. That's just downright rude
and yeah that Geoff guy was a total douchebag. Angry Joe was asking a question and Geoff wasn't even paying any attention to him, looking at the screaming crowd instead. That's just downright rude
Posted December 15, 2010
Geoff isn't exactly a GameTrailers employee. He's kind of like a gun for hire; if GameFly, Spike, GameTrailers and GameSpot need someone to talk about games, they go to him.
Posted December 15, 2010
?? what the heck damn no one actually cares about covering the well made games or great upcoming games just show off some trailers like duke nukem forever used too and some personal showoff sigh there is no mention about deus ex 3, torchlight 2 or diablo 3 or witcher nothing its just a bunch of selected votes wining games, what about those indie game developers they work hard in making nice drm free games joe should have prepared himself for the worst not the best
Posted December 15, 2010
Even if you consider them flight sims, they're typical 7/10-material at best, and they're pretty much the only series like it that don't get PC-versions.
Which is probably why most of the more successful flight sims have focused on WWI and WWII. LOT fewer knobs back then :p
Mech Combat in general, really. Consoles have it (from varying degrees of "realism". Gundam games for fighting game style mechs, Armored Core for a balance between Mechwarrior and Swordy McSworderton Mechs, and even that weird RAD game that was just all shades of awesome gimmicky goodness :p). Last real mech game we had (I don't count Front Mission Evolved, since that is really closer to Shogo than a proper Mech Game) is probably Mechwarrior 4 (If I missed one, PLEASE tell me :p). And I think the community was pretty divided on that one.
Like I said, both platforms have their advantages and their disadvantages. Their genres that they excel at, and their genres that they ignore.
As for mech sims, how'd you overlook Steel Battalion? No, not the upcoming, Kinect-based Heavy Armor that screams "in name only". The original Xbox title, in its massive, backlit-button-bristling controller glory that almost immediately consigned it to "cult classic" status at best. (Yes, I have one. It's bigger than the pictures suggest, but not nearly as heavy.) That controller, while something you'd only expect PC gamers to even think about paying for, certainly adds to the immersion, but the VTs (Vertical Tanks) actually feel like walking behemoths of destruction, especially in Line of Contact. They take a while to start up and get going, they're generally slow to turn (and will tip over if you push the balancer too hard, especially in LoC 5th-gear wheel mode), and you can practically feel every step they take. Outmaneuvering the enemy and his shots is half the game, really, moreso than in something like Battletech/MechWarrior where combat is more about hitting the enemy in the right spots to take out crucial subsystems. (Part of it is due to how HARD it is to hit enemy VTs in SB:LoC. Projectiles are slow and dodged easily with a slidestep, even though everyone has a built-in aimbot of sorts, and long reload times on main guns generally leave an opening for the enemy VT's batteries to recharge for another slidestep.)
I might seem kind of gushy, but it's just that I don't think I'll ever see another mech combat title like it. Not just that controller, but the feeling that you really are commanding a gun platform on legs due to how they move.