My Game Programming Rant

it's interesting, there is a lot of possibilities with games and interactive applications, it's still a new medium/art? so unfortunately the majority of games take the easy path of violence and action because the mechanic is well known. But it's not the only game mechanic, and there is also story telling, puzzle, eduction etc.

One thing I miss a lot now is the good and slow adventure game, and it's one of the reason I don't play really video-game anymore (I'm older, age, work and free time are also a factor). They mainly tell a story, there is rarely any action, and you can play at you own rhythm, no time check, mostly no game over. I really liked these games, Monkey Island, Game of the tentacle, Riven...

At least the old school style is coming back with this modular design you talk about, minecraft seems one (I never played).
But a game where you make game can be tricky, it needs very smart constraints to focus the liberty.

After watching 3 hours of video on Game Mechanics (PAX) I was surprised at the various game mechanics out there, and the fact that many box office games use the cheap route.

My favorite game of all time is called SUPERSONIC ACROBATIC ROCKET POWERED BATTLE CARS.

Ever heard of it? Well, it's a great game. However, they couldn't push it further because of publishing issues (Sony's indie policies will help the situation) SUPERSONIC ACROBATIC ROCKET POWERED BATTLE CARS 2 maybe?!

The company PSYONIX also has a very popular game on IOS. Called ARC SQUADRON I believe.

They know how to make FUN games. And all it takes is a good mesh of mechanics.

Even still, most games use a few cheap mechanics like you say Anael.

You're on to something with that text based game idea Poodle. I wrote a post the other day called

Last edited by Tutorial Doctor (2013-10-13 15:29:19)

Yeah Zester. I mean, there are educational games, but what I expect from an educational game is not what I expect from a AAA game by some big game manufacturer (and that's a bad thing).

I was telling my brother that these games are just formula games. Sorta like American tv haha. So much content that can be in a game (and with creativity it could catch on very quickly), but I can't find any decent to play games that I wouldn't object to accept if I get a WII. haha.

Then again, I don't play games much, accept board games and card games.

I think it is the American market that is messed up though, because when you look at those Japanese game shows they are always playing these strange looking, fun looking games. haha. I'm like, ''Now see! That is what I want to play!"

You know the one with the office clerk riding high-speed in an office chair down the street dodging traffic? haha

I think MediaMolecule are the most innovative game designers (Little Big Planet). I like their games.

Yeah, I've seen that one. I like tearaway.I think now that indie developers don't need publishers to get attention on big consoles that we will see, perhaps, more innovation. Some say it would degrade the quality of games published, but those who say that more than likely think a quality game is one with fantastic graphics.

It's surely better than diminishing equilibrium tactics these companies use. aka law of diminishing marginal utility.

Last edited by Tutorial Doctor (2013-10-14 16:52:01)

I think the game The Last of Us (I've never played it) is a really great example of a unique and different AAA video game title. It meshes the story within the game play really tightly, as I have observed in the several let's play videos of theRadBrad. I hope that both the indie and the AAA game development industry would be more focused in conveying a message or lesson through their games (though their are quite a lot of indie titles that already do this; Thomas was Alone is a good example of one).