Are games still about the fun?

[Drakmeire]

Lately I've noticed when playing newer games that the fun factor is surprisingly absent. I'll start from the beginning, I started gameing at the age of 6 on my friend's SNES but my first gaming system was the N64. The games on that were always fun to pick up and play mostly due to the fact that the games often started right after you hit start and even if there was a cutscene it would usally be short or skippable, with the exceptions of more story driven games like the two legend of Zelda games for the N64, (that were still very fun to watch by the way) But Star fox 64 was a game that would drop you into the first level within 20 seconds if you skipped the opening cutscene, and was more fun for it. but as time went on games became more about story than fun and I have even found myself playing less Because of all the time you must devot to a single game and I often notice that I'm not even having fun and just trying to make it to the end without playing around in the world. Some newer games like "no more heroes", "crackdown", and "portal" still adopt the pick up and play style but everyone seem to rush out and buy "GTA 4" and "Call of Duty" despite those games ignoring fun all together. let me ask you when was the last time you found yourself smiling during a GTA mission and not while playing around in the world? so where has the fun gone?

 

[WrongSprite]

*sigh* Overused topic is overused.

However, I'd say that age is a contributing factor. You have changed as you have matured. Also, it's about perspective. I think Call of Duty and GTA 4 and big pick up and play games, and great fun. But then thats from my perspective. See?

let me ask you when was the last time you found yourself smiling during a GTA mission and not while playing around in the world?

About half an hour ago. =]

 

[FalloutJack]

The point of fun is not to think too deeply on it. As soon as you make it into work, you have destroyed fun and your whole argument is what prevents you from having fun in the first place. So, loosen up, okay?

 

[Strain42]

I just buy games that I find fun. It's as simple as that. If you don't have fun with a game thats your problem.

 

[Legion]

let me ask you when was the last time you found yourself smiling during a GTA mission and not while playing around in the world? so where has the fun gone?

I didn't realise that free roaming doesn't count as playing a game...

 

[Bat Vader]

I think it all depends on opinion.

 

[Ezzay]

I didn't realise that free roaming doesn't count as playing a game...

You would be surprised at the amount of people who believe free roaming is not playing the game.

I'm not one of them, but god I know a few.

 

[TheCameraman]

Find games that use humour, like Evil Genius or Psychonauts.

Those games you mentioned are also fun, but in another sense of the word. I suck at explaining so I'll just leave it like that.

 

[quack35]

Actually, games are the only things that are fun anymore.

 

[Xerosch]

Thank you! Yes, games have mostly become absolutely generic, boring stuff (with very, very few exceptions).
I may sound like a broken record, but if you don't need the best graphics pick up the stuff we (the old guys) reference frequently.

 

[antipunt]

If you're talking about 'most' games: yes.

Some games...no. Arma 2 is a good example.

 

[BaronXS]

I think that Red Faction Guerrilla shows that some videogames are all about having mindless fun, while others, such as Crysis, are just for people to look at and say "Ooh, shiny", but, in the end, aren't as enjoyable as most games out on the market today.

When videogames are done right, they're insanely fun with tons of replay value, regardless of the graphics (although they help).
When videogames are done wrong, you get the Alamogordo landfill.

 

[L4hlborg]

I have to admit, sometimes I just go achievment hunting or ranking up, without any intention of having fun. On the other hand, if I want to have fun in most video games, I can do that too. It completely depends on how you play them.

For example in L4D, I can try to get through campaigns on expert for xbox 360 achievments. When I get frustrated, I find a nice spot where the zombies cant get to and just sit there. The zombies will try to climb up, but they always fall down. Then climb up again. Then fall down. Climb up. Fall down.... Just like retarded monkeys, with no sense of balance.

 

[bob-2000]

It depends on the game. Left 4 Dead are pure fun, but games like BioShock and Mass Effect are more about the plot.

 

[MetallicaRulez0]

Multiplayer in most games can bring back fond memories of the old style "pick up and play" games. You can be in a match of CoD4 within 30 seconds of turning on the console, for example.

I think you're just not happy with the new style of more complicated, deep games. I admit that a lot of the games out there today are missing that fun factor and instead go for story or graphics or whatever. Still, multiplayer games are where fun is these days.

 

[WrongSprite]

If you're talking about 'most' games: yes.

Some games...no. Arma 2 is a good example.

Again, thats just perspective. Arma 2 is one of the most fun games I've ever played. But thats just me.

 

[sms_117b]

some games are, Saints Row 2 for example, and UFC Undisputed, "THE FIGHT IS OVER" always brings a smile to my face.

 

[Jinoru]

Actually, games are the only things that are fun anymore.

What? Have you played a board game or card game lately? They still are way up there on my fun list.

 

[letsnoobtehpwns]

No, it's about the violence and boobs. Calm down, it's just a joke.

My theory is that games are getting deeper so it takes longer to have fun. It took me hours before I began to like Fallout 3.

 

[orangebandguy]

I play games for the fun of it, although I will go out of my way to hunt down anyone who calls themselves "Elite."