Hi guys, firstly, I don't intend for this to be solely a developer bashing thread although to a point its inevitable.
There are three examples I want to share here.
FORZA
The Elder Scrolls
and at the opposite end of the spectrum; Torchlight.
All vastly different games, yes.
But I believe the first two titles have suffered greatly at the hands of Developer complacency .
Firstly, I believe that the original Forza motorsports was a great title. And from #1 to #3 there was enough change to keep me buying them. Whether it was the improved graphical quality, car line up or physics. There was enough change between the titles to warrant me spending my $100aud.
The fourth how ever, Well... It really struck me as Forza 3.5.
The vehicle line up is essentially the same as #3 and I for the life of me cannot see any difference between the games in graphical quality (which granted is hard on the 360 these days). The physics engine may well be identical to that of Forza 3 for all that I can tell as well.
So how is the $100aud justified there?
Secondly, The Elder Scrolls.
I first played Daggerfall shortly before Morrowind came out. From what I remember of the experience it was though-roughly enjoyable, up till that point I had only ever played JRPG's on the SNES or an SNES emulator. Then Morrowind came along and blew my mind yet further. After that, the series took a nose dive. I still enjoyed Oblivion, although its draw backs were immense. It still had enough to keep me occupied and interested to the point that I eagerly awaited the release of Skyrim.
Holy crap...
It has been a long time since I have been more disappointed with a video game. All I expected was Oblivion, and we didn't even get that. My biggest complain with Oblivion was that the leveling system removed all incentive to actually play the game. Skyrim's leveling system seems to actively discourage it!
There is no point in doing quests, as nothing you receive in payment is worth a damn. There basically is no writing to speak of, there is no story short of "big nasty dragon gon' keel you!". And while on the surface that's not allot different from any other TES. The fact that the greatest source of entertainment in the series - the lore - Was turned inside out!
Story lines are left unfinished, and yet we have new completely unrelated and some what arbitrary add on's being released.
Then, I look at Torchlight.
A game I got for free after pre-ordering its sequel for all of $20aud. A game which I thoroughly enjoyed. It wasn't perfect, but it is still a damned sight more polished and fleshed out then Skyrim is. Yet it is a game made in 11months by 20 people?
And while I will hold judgement on the sequel until I play it, it looks pretty damned good so far.
So my rants aside, does anyone else out there think that allot of AAA dev's are just becoming complacent and very lazy these days?
There are three examples I want to share here.
FORZA
The Elder Scrolls
and at the opposite end of the spectrum; Torchlight.
All vastly different games, yes.
But I believe the first two titles have suffered greatly at the hands of Developer complacency .
Firstly, I believe that the original Forza motorsports was a great title. And from #1 to #3 there was enough change to keep me buying them. Whether it was the improved graphical quality, car line up or physics. There was enough change between the titles to warrant me spending my $100aud.
The fourth how ever, Well... It really struck me as Forza 3.5.
The vehicle line up is essentially the same as #3 and I for the life of me cannot see any difference between the games in graphical quality (which granted is hard on the 360 these days). The physics engine may well be identical to that of Forza 3 for all that I can tell as well.
So how is the $100aud justified there?
Secondly, The Elder Scrolls.
I first played Daggerfall shortly before Morrowind came out. From what I remember of the experience it was though-roughly enjoyable, up till that point I had only ever played JRPG's on the SNES or an SNES emulator. Then Morrowind came along and blew my mind yet further. After that, the series took a nose dive. I still enjoyed Oblivion, although its draw backs were immense. It still had enough to keep me occupied and interested to the point that I eagerly awaited the release of Skyrim.
Holy crap...
It has been a long time since I have been more disappointed with a video game. All I expected was Oblivion, and we didn't even get that. My biggest complain with Oblivion was that the leveling system removed all incentive to actually play the game. Skyrim's leveling system seems to actively discourage it!
There is no point in doing quests, as nothing you receive in payment is worth a damn. There basically is no writing to speak of, there is no story short of "big nasty dragon gon' keel you!". And while on the surface that's not allot different from any other TES. The fact that the greatest source of entertainment in the series - the lore - Was turned inside out!
Story lines are left unfinished, and yet we have new completely unrelated and some what arbitrary add on's being released.
Then, I look at Torchlight.
A game I got for free after pre-ordering its sequel for all of $20aud. A game which I thoroughly enjoyed. It wasn't perfect, but it is still a damned sight more polished and fleshed out then Skyrim is. Yet it is a game made in 11months by 20 people?
And while I will hold judgement on the sequel until I play it, it looks pretty damned good so far.
So my rants aside, does anyone else out there think that allot of AAA dev's are just becoming complacent and very lazy these days?
