Influences

[Pseudonym2]

It seems like there is is something wrong with the game industry when most of its influences are taken from Micheal Bay and Grindhouse movies. Only Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez care about 30-year-old bad movies. The thing is that grindhouse movies sucked and mostly provided fodder for Mystery Science Theater 300. Why can't games aim higher than taking their cues from summer blockbusters and summer bombs? Where is our game inspired by a Robert Altman or even the Coen Brothers. It's not like their movies didn't make money with the exact same demographic as gamers.

It doesn't help that most games are only inspired by movies and aim to be playable movies. Where's my Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac game?

 

[Cherry Cola]

Why does games need to be inspired by movies? I read a perfectly valid article about games rather being influenced by music.

 

[Omikron009]

Is there a topic for me to respond to? My answer to what I think is the question is that games are generally quite fun when ridiculous, over the top action is involved.

 

[GreyWolf257]

I care about 30-year-old bad movies. *sniffle*

Also, it doesn't help that I am going to have to Wikipedia search those last two names.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Please show me numerous games that have been influenced by Michael Bay.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

Didn't know that Michael Bay invented explosions. Also didn't know that Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez copyrighted B rated acting and film editing skills.

Games aim wherever they wish, what games have you been playing lately?

 

[ma55ter_fett]

Influences for the video game industry include; money, sucess, money, the devil (also known as bobby kotick's *****) more money, and maybe true love....

 

[Axle_Bullitt_19]

Why does games need to be inspired by movies? I read a perfectly valid article about games rather being influenced by music.

I agree. With games being a interactive media anything can be used a inspiration. For example the Phoenix Wright series or Trauma Center.

 

[Vrex360]

I don't know if games were directly influenced by movies. I mean yes granted a lot of games try to take on a more cinematic approach but at the same time they probably aren't aping a specific director but rather just aping the style of movie making in general.
That said I would like to see some games adopt an approach more along the lines of movies like the Cohen brothers with some dry pitch black wit but still plenty of games do that end even then a lot of games that are going for a cinematic approach are also action games or RPG's so there really isn't enough context to make a Cohen Brother's esque comedy.

 

[Dark Knifer]

Games are a different form of medium. Sure some games may be influenced by movies but some movies are influenced by books. Does this make it bad? No, in some cases it works to have a game with a more cinematic experience but ultimately, its up to the gameplay and other aspects to make the game good.
[small]Hope that's on topic...[/small]

 

[Mr. Purple]

Yea, ummm, im not sure that most games really have a major influence from hollywood.

 

[Ghonzor]

I think most games gain influence from whatever is in the lead designer's head at the time.

 

[RatRace123]

I'm not thinking that games are taking influence directly from films in terms of style and setting. (some are, quite clearly) I like to think that games are getting influence from movies, in their presentation, and their writing. I'd like to see more games like Mass Effect (with all the times I mention that game I should get checks from Bioware) Alpha Protocol, and especially Heavy Rain (a game that is basically an interactive film, and it looks amazing.)

 

[Kollega]

Why does games need to be inspired by movies? I read a perfectly valid article about games rather being influenced by music.

Yes. I believe that furure of gaming is not being like movies, but being like music - protagonist literally dancing around enemies and fluidly moving through the environment with, to quote Yahtzee, "bone-crunching, trouser-tightening elegance".

Please show me numerous games that have been influenced by Michael Bay.

Airstrikes 2: Hooray For Airstrikes!
Fear 2: BOTCHED SUPERSOLDIER RESEARCH!
Killzone 2: Gears Of War Versus British Space Nazis!
Modern Warfare 2: Short Squeaky Fart In An Elevator Full Of Conspiracy Theorists!
Protomous and Infatype!
Red Faction: Less Guerrilla And More Chimpanzee!

And that's only ones Zero Punctuation reviewed - in the immideate past.

...with all the times I mention that game I should get checks from Bioware...

Yes you probably should. You know, if i would get a quarter every time i mention Ratchet and Clank (DING!), i'd be one rich bastard by now.

 

[ShakesZX]

The fact that many games seem to be mainly taken from movies is that a video game is essentially a story, told by the designers in such a way as to make the audience (the player) enjoy their experience. As video games have progressed it is only natural that their makers would evolve with the technology available. As far as I can think, from recent games the only couple that stand out as inspired exclusively by grindhouse and other movies (excluding the obvious MOVIE TIE-INS) are Wet (Grindhouse), Uncharted 1&2 (Indiana Jones), and MGS4 (need I say more about 90 min. cutscenes?). The fact that many games are striving to input an emotional component with their stories isn't a bad thing. The story and the players emotional involvement with that story are part of what makes a game enjoyable.

This is not to discredit the gameplay. And many of the most successful franchises are games with minimal story elements that have little or no influence from B rated or other movies. Forza Motorsport, any EA licensed sports game, and most fighting games draw little influence from movies. Which is not to say they are bad games, but many of the best recent games have not gotten influence from any genre of movie.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Please show me numerous games that have been influenced by Michael Bay.

Airstrikes 2: Hooray For Airstrikes!
Fear 2: BOTCHED SUPERSOLDIER RESEARCH!
Killzone 2: Gears Of War Versus British Space Nazis!
Modern Warfare 2: Short Squeaky Fart In An Elevator Full Of Conspiracy Theorists!
Protomous and Infatype!
Red Faction: Less Guerrilla And More Chimpanzee!

I wasn't aware Michael Bay invented the explosion. How are these games influenced by Michael Bay?

 

[Kollega]

Airstrikes 2: Hooray For Airstrikes!
Fear 2: BOTCHED SUPERSOLDIER RESEARCH!
Killzone 2: Gears Of War Versus British Space Nazis!
Modern Warfare 2: Short Squeaky Fart In An Elevator Full Of Conspiracy Theorists!
Protomous and Infatype!
Red Faction: Less Guerrilla And More Chimpanzee!

I wasn't aware Michael Bay invented the explosion. How are these games influenced by Michael Bay?

Bay did not invent the explosion, but his style is "Emphasis on the spectacle, MOAR EXPLOSIONS, LESS PLOT!" And those games fit that description pretty damn well. It can be perfectly okay, but not all the time. Everything in moderation.

Okay, i may be stretching it, but Modern Warfare 2 plays out pretty much exactly like a Michael Bay movie, if you ask me.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Airstrikes 2: Hooray For Airstrikes!
Fear 2: BOTCHED SUPERSOLDIER RESEARCH!
Killzone 2: Gears Of War Versus British Space Nazis!
Modern Warfare 2: Short Squeaky Fart In An Elevator Full Of Conspiracy Theorists!
Protomous and Infatype!
Red Faction: Less Guerrilla And More Chimpanzee!

I wasn't aware Michael Bay invented the explosion. How are these games influenced by Michael Bay?

Bay did not invent the explosion, but his style is "Emphasis on the spectacle, MOAR EXPLOSIONS, LESS PLOT!" And those games fit that description pretty damn well. It can be perfectly okay, but not all the time. Everything in moderation.

Just because those games do not have a strong plot does not mean they are following in the footsteps of Michael Bay. I've played several of those games and I'd say there is more to them than a Michael Bay movie. It's just not an accurate comparison.

 

[Kollega]

Just because those games do not have a strong plot does not mean they are following in the footsteps of Michael Bay. I've played several of those games and I'd say there is more to them than a Michael Bay movie. It's just not an accurate comparison.

Alright alright, i lost that argument. Can we move on now?

 

[Hiphophippo]

How DARE you talk bad about Robert Rodriguez.

Planet Terror is AMAZING.