Where will the Nostalgia lie for the next Generation?

[Winthrop]

I will never forget how much fun I had with GMod, Portal, Sam And Max, Minecraft, or Borderlands.

 

[Cabisco]

There will be no nostalgia . This generation ( graphics asside) is the worst generation . We are going to forget it existed , save for a few titles such as DA:O , Dark/demons souls .

I like you, and for the most part I agree. I wasn't particularly fond of the last generation either, and if it wasn't for the PS2 and it's HUGE library of decent/great games, that gen would have been a failure as well (lol at PS2s STILL selling today). I just wish the original Xbox and gamecube had a bigger selection of blockbusters.

You seem to have chosen a very limited spectrum of games, perhaps instead of 'we' you meant to put 'I'

No, I am with them to a degree. For people with gun fetishes this gen was probably a godsend, likewise for grandma and your little cousins with their wiis. But for people who liked everything inbetween - the people the last gens were aimed at - we kind of got screwed this gen, at least if you're talking about games outside the indie scene. There were exceptions; games like Portal, LBP, etc., but nothing close to enough to make this gen feel worth it. This was the gen of everything trying not to be a video game, then touting thats a good thing because "video games are stupid and we should be trying to achieve more cinematic experiences". This was the gen of the every-man protagonist where you play the same brown/black haired late twenties something in almost every single game. This was the gen where everything became Gears of War or Cod (R.I.P. Resident Evil/Dead Space). This was the gen of catastrophic hardware failures by design, because of cheap work and business ethics (RROD). This was the gen where a game publishing company showed it could be so anti-consumer it could be voted the worst company in America. This was the gen three of the greatest developers pulled a 180 and now only produce the poorest quality products: Capcom, Rare, Sega. This was the gen that Sony showed you could be as condescending as you want to your consumer base, even to the point of egging on that very consumer base to attack you through hacking; and that was after telling us all to get two jobs to afford their new console.

I could go on for a bit more, but I think that should be enough to convey the message. All that said, I hope (I really do) that the next gen will be much better. Nintendo found out the casual audience isn't sustainable, and the indi scene is about to become even more accessible for people to jump into and sell their games. If things like the Ouya succeed even a little, they will take some of the industry's profits and that should enrage a lot of publishers who think the CoD model is perfect. Maybe, just maybe we might see the frequency of great games we did in the SNES/PS1 era, once the industry decides they need to again start taking chances to also compete with the indie scene. Something is horribly wrong when the only thing to quench my gaming thirst all year was a furry game on XBL summer Arcade. I mean seriously, what the hell...

Although I disagree with you and believe this generation will be looked at fondly in 5-10 years time I do think you made a very good arguement. Yeah, i'm kinda just posting back to say I liked your response, apart from the gun fetish thing as I likely fall under that bracket.

 

[Nanaki316]

Honestly the only thing I can think of for my daughter to get all misty eyed over in the future is Mario Kart. She's only 7 but seriously, 15 years from now I can picture her picking it up and it reminding her of her childhood.
For me it will always, always be Final Fantasy games. I kinda hope it's the same for my kids. Maybe their definition of nostalgia will be remembering the games they watched me play as they grew up.

 

[krazykidd]

There will be no nostalgia . This generation ( graphics asside) is the worst generation . We are going to forget it existed , save for a few titles such as DA:O , Dark/demons souls .

Right, because every generation before this was perfect, with thousands apon thousands of great games.

Oh wait.

Look up the meaning of the word "worst" . Didn't say every generation was perfect . Just that this was the worst . Don't agree with my opinion? Fine . But don't put words in my mouth.

 

[CheckD3]

I don't even know...I think Halo 24 will be very similar to Halo 4 and so on. I don't think nostalgia can exist w/o something coming to an end...yes you can argue that's wrong, but that's what I feel.

Maybe Wow...since I doubt 20 years from now it will still be around...sad to say, but it's going to be a huge loss when it does finally close up shop

 

[ServebotFrank]

Eh... maybe the Call of Duty: MWF schlock. I'm not going to like it, but you have to admit, it was popular enough that the kids of today are going to remember fondly when they get to our age(s). Lord help 'em.

Modern Warfare 1 will probably be remembered since that was an actual good game and most people tend to forget that it was a good game.

There will be no nostalgia . This generation ( graphics asside) is the worst generation . We are going to forget it existed , save for a few titles such as DA:O , Dark/demons souls .

Right, because every generation before this was perfect, with thousands apon thousands of great games.

Oh wait.

Look up the meaning of the word "worst" . Didn't say every generation was perfect . Just that this was the worst . Don't agree with my opinion? Fine . But don't put words in my mouth.

You have to elaborate by "worst generation." Because people in this thread have listed amazing games from this generation that I know I will be remembering in twenty years.

Kotor 1&2, Mass Effect, Deus Ex, Metal Gear Solid 4(Was kinda awesome in some parts, the end fight anyone?), Borderlands, Anything by Valve, And Arkham City.

I guarantee that any games from the generations you like will be matched by the games of today. Hell, this was the generation where games became officially recognized as an art form, kinda.

 

[SlamDunc]

I think some games remembered fondly will be the Mass Effect, Halo and Gears of War series. Maybe even some games like Fallout 3 and Skyrim but I am not so sure about those.

I don't think games like LoL will achieve this great level of nostalgia though. It seems those who stop playing seem to forget about them pretty quickly.

 

[Spitfire]

That's very speculatory. I'd be more interested to know what games will this generation of gamers be nostalgic about.

 

[Xaio30]

In essence, what modern games are the kids of today going to grow up with, and cherish many years from now? Where will their nostalgia lie?

The basement. Visit it.

Also, I guess everything that they played as young kids will give them nostalgic feelings.
Whatever it might be.

 

[trooper6]

It's very true that nostalgia can be a bad thing - sometimes we get so obsessed with what we had then, that we ignore and shun what we have now.

I agree with you in saying that there still will be nostalgia - nostalgia is, after all, tied to personal experiences within a game, rather than the game itself. The problem however, is that games, for the most part, have become cheap and disposable. Buying a game today isn't as much of 'a big deal' or an investment that it once was - iOS games are the perfect example. You can dish out 60 cents or so on a game, play with it for an hour, and then forget you ever even owned it.

I think what people are trying to say that it's difficult today to become attached to a game like you may have done so in the past, because chances are you own dozens of other games too, and just as likely so does your family. As a result of an abundance of games, it can be difficult to remember particular games that meant something special to you, other than just viewing the collection as a source of entertainment you played when you were bored.

I disagree with the cheap and disposable argument on two counts.

1) Not all games are cheap. As a console player, I look at the ever increasing prices with trepidation. I mean, many games are $60!!
But...that is a minor point. More more important point is,
2) Emotional attachment is not based solely on cost. Talk to some serious old timers and they will wax nostalgic about stick ball or kick the can or other things that were completely free. Television (network at least) has always been free..land ever since we expanded the number of channels in the 80s, we have lots and lots of channels...but people still have attachment to their shows...some shows I think are crappy...but people are really invested in their Friends or 90210 or whatever. Machinarium is an inexpensive iOS game I played on my iPad...but that game is totally going to stay with...the free weekly iOS game Cause of Death has gotten me a bit weepy at some moments, and I'm really invested in it...sure I've ended up paying 5 or 6 bucks for some addons, but that it is cheap and there are a lot of iOS games doesn't diminish my attachment in this particular game. Just because there are a lot of some genre on the market doesn't mean that that will block nostalgia. There are a lot of police procedurals on TV, but that doesn't stop people from being invested in Bones or Castle or whatever their particular show is.

Also, this is the problem with nostalgia...if creates a false past...you talk about cheap, plentiful entertainment in the video game world as if it were new. I'm from the arcade generation, where you'd go to an arcade and pay just a quarter for your disposable entertainment...that you didn't even get ownership over...do you think that means neither I nor my peers can have attachment to our arcade games? Of course we can. I still remember my favorites fondly. Rolling Thunder, Sinistar, Tron, Mario Brothers (not Super Mario Brothers), Spy Hunter, Frogger, Centipede, Tempest...

But, because I don't have the foggy glasses of nostalgia, I remember that there were also crappy arcade games, arcade games with bizarre controls, etc.

 

[Daniel C 'Magistrex']

That's very speculatory. I'd be more interested to know what games will this generation of gamers be nostalgic about.

Well, that's kind of what this is about. We're just referring to ourselves as this generation, and the children of today as the next.

Honestly the only thing I can think of for my daughter to get all misty eyed over in the future is Mario Kart. She's only 7 but seriously, 15 years from now I can picture her picking it up and it reminding her of her childhood.
For me it will always, always be Final Fantasy games. I kinda hope it's the same for my kids. Maybe their definition of nostalgia will be remembering the games they watched me play as they grew up.

That's a very valid point. I was introduced to Final Fantasy by one of the other kids living on my street, and I loved it. It was FFI, and I really wanted to get it, but couldn't due to a lack of a games console that could play it. It wasn't until 2006 that I discovered the game again, this time in a second hand game store in a small town on holidays in France(It was the Dawn of Souls version for the GBA with FFII).Despite having not owned the game, or having played the game for years, it felt so familiar when I picked it up, and to this day I consider it one of the most nostalgic games I've ever played. The inclusion of FFII also led me to discover the rest of the series, which I now enjoy immensely.

 

[Daniel C 'Magistrex']

I disagree with the cheap and disposable argument on two counts.

1) Not all games are cheap. As a console player, I look at the ever increasing prices with trepidation. I mean, many games are $60!!
But...that is a minor point. More more important point is,
2) Emotional attachment is not based solely on cost. Talk to some serious old timers and they will wax nostalgic about stick ball or kick the can or other things that were completely free. Television (network at least) has always been free..land ever since we expanded the number of channels in the 80s, we have lots and lots of channels...but people still have attachment to their shows...some shows I think are crappy...but people are really invested in their Friends or 90210 or whatever. Machinarium is an inexpensive iOS game I played on my iPad...but that game is totally going to stay with...the free weekly iOS game Cause of Death has gotten me a bit weepy at some moments, and I'm really invested in it...sure I've ended up paying 5 or 6 bucks for some addons, but that it is cheap and there are a lot of iOS games doesn't diminish my attachment in this particular game. Just because there are a lot of some genre on the market doesn't mean that that will block nostalgia. There are a lot of police procedurals on TV, but that doesn't stop people from being invested in Bones or Castle or whatever their particular show is.

Also, this is the problem with nostalgia...if creates a false past...you talk about cheap, plentiful entertainment in the video game world as if it were new. I'm from the arcade generation, where you'd go to an arcade and pay just a quarter for your disposable entertainment...that you didn't even get ownership over...do you think that means neither I nor my peers can have attachment to our arcade games? Of course we can. I still remember my favorites fondly. Rolling Thunder, Sinistar, Tron, Mario Brothers (not Super Mario Brothers), Spy Hunter, Frogger, Centipede, Tempest...

But, because I don't have the foggy glasses of nostalgia, I remember that there were also crappy arcade games, arcade games with bizarre controls, etc.

Apologies for a potential double post, but I thought I should address this.

I make no claims that games of the past are definitely better than modern games. That would be a fairly blind thing to say. I am also aware that there was always bad games, and it's not just a thing that has been invented recently.

Also, I've got no problem with iOS, or the cost of games today. Of course price has no influence in emotional attachment. Heck, the most influential game I've ever played to this day is Bastion, and I didn't pick that up till it was ?3.75 in a Steam sale. I am also an avid player (I'm trying to avoid saying fan, but it's tricky) of TF2, and League of Legends.

What I'm trying to say is that we're in an age where there's very much a 'complete one game, and move onto the next' attitude. I know that this has always existed, but it seems to be more abundant than ever today, and the large amount of inexpensive games on places like the iOS market just seems to confirm this. This can make finding nostalgia in modern games more difficult, but of course, not impossible. It's also why I'm interested in what games the next generation is going to remember fondly.

 

[The White Hunter]

In essence, what modern games are the kids of today going to grow up with, and cherish many years from now? Where will their nostalgia lie?

Welcome to the Escapist!

Now that that's out of the way.

Depends, really. For the Wii, there's Xenoblade Chronicles, Super Mario Galaxy, Kirby's Return to Dreamland, Twilight Princess/Skyward Sword, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Sonic Colors (though that's mostly wishful thinking on my part), Donkey Kong Country Returns, Okami, Last Story, Pandora's Tower (which will hopefully eventually get a US release), No More Heroes, and a few more that I can't really think of at the moment...

For the Xbox 360 you've got... er... Halo and Gears of War, I guess? Lost Odyssey maybe?

For the PS3 you've got Demon's Souls, inFamous, LittleBigPlanet, Metal Gear Solid 4, Disgaea 3/4, Uncharted.

Then cross-console there's Assassin's Creed, Batman: Arkham Asylum/City, Bioshock, Dark Souls, Darksiders, Dead Space, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, (hopefully) Dishonored, Dragon Age: Origins, Skyrim, Mass Effect, Portal, Sonic Generations (more wishful thinking).

I'm trying my damndest to only think of this console generation because I'm at the age where I remember DOS-gaming back on my PC, but I technically grew up with the Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, and Playstation 2 all at different times. I'm also wondering if these games aren't already "too old" for the current generation or something... hm.

Hey for the PS3 don't forget Resistance, there's been a lot of good stuff this generation I think alongside all the bullshit.

Really I dunno though, I'm nostalgic for the MegaDrive (Genesis), Master System, PS1, PS2. To a lesser extent the Dreamcast that I got a few weeks ago because fucking hell I wanted one when they came out.

 

[Something Amyss]

There will be no nostalgia . This generation ( graphics asside) is the worst generation . We are going to forget it existed , save for a few titles such as DA:O , Dark/demons souls .

I'd say you can't be serious, but years on the internet tell me you are.

If the internet had been around in the NES or SNES era, we'd hear the same thing.

 

[shrekfan246]

In essence, what modern games are the kids of today going to grow up with, and cherish many years from now? Where will their nostalgia lie?

Welcome to the Escapist!

Now that that's out of the way.

Depends, really. For the Wii, there's Xenoblade Chronicles, Super Mario Galaxy, Kirby's Return to Dreamland, Twilight Princess/Skyward Sword, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Sonic Colors (though that's mostly wishful thinking on my part), Donkey Kong Country Returns, Okami, Last Story, Pandora's Tower (which will hopefully eventually get a US release), No More Heroes, and a few more that I can't really think of at the moment...

For the Xbox 360 you've got... er... Halo and Gears of War, I guess? Lost Odyssey maybe?

For the PS3 you've got Demon's Souls, inFamous, LittleBigPlanet, Metal Gear Solid 4, Disgaea 3/4, Uncharted.

Then cross-console there's Assassin's Creed, Batman: Arkham Asylum/City, Bioshock, Dark Souls, Darksiders, Dead Space, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, (hopefully) Dishonored, Dragon Age: Origins, Skyrim, Mass Effect, Portal, Sonic Generations (more wishful thinking).

I'm trying my damndest to only think of this console generation because I'm at the age where I remember DOS-gaming back on my PC, but I technically grew up with the Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, and Playstation 2 all at different times. I'm also wondering if these games aren't already "too old" for the current generation or something... hm.

Hey for the PS3 don't forget Resistance, there's been a lot of good stuff this generation I think alongside all the bullshit.

Really I dunno though, I'm nostalgic for the MegaDrive (Genesis), Master System, PS1, PS2. To a lesser extent the Dreamcast that I got a few weeks ago because fucking hell I wanted one when they came out.

Well, I tried to avoid "gritty first-person shooters" since the OP apparently doesn't care for them, which is why I didn't mention Killzone either. For the Xbox it's a bit unavoidable, since Gears is arguably the biggest franchise on the platform.

 

[sunsetspawn]

KOTOR 1 & 2, Jade Empire, Neverwinter Nights, and pretty much anything by Obsidian

You forgot Obsidian's big hit, Mass Effect, but just the first one because that company really went to shit when Activision bought it out.

 

[Daniel C 'Magistrex']

Well, I tried to avoid "gritty first-person shooters" since the OP apparently doesn't care for them, which is why I didn't mention Killzone either. For the Xbox it's a bit unavoidable, since Gears is arguably the biggest franchise on the platform.

You can mention them all you like, I've no problem with that. I'm just not that crazy about them myself.

I think some games remembered fondly will be the Mass Effect, Halo and Gears of War series. Maybe even some games like Fallout 3 and Skyrim but I am not so sure about those.

I don't think games like LoL will achieve this great level of nostalgia though. It seems those who stop playing seem to forget about them pretty quickly.

MMOs are actually an interesting one to bring up. I myself have really great memories and stories to share about my time in World in Warcraft, but I wouldn't go back to that game if you paid me. Even looking at a game like League of Legends, it's something that you have to invest alot of time in if you go back to playing it. I'll always speak fondly of WoW, but I'll never go back to playing it. I guess it's a different sort of nostalgic game.

The interesting thing is that we don't know how long a game like League of Legends is going to last. As far as the next generation is concerned, it could be a staple of their library, and won't really have a nostalgic value as a result. It's one to keep an eye on, to say the least.

 

[Vault Citizen]

My guess is Resistance Fall of Man because of all the hours I spent playing with my friends.

 

[renegade7]

Oblivion, Zelda: TP and maybe Skyward Sword, Mass Effect, Portal 1 and 2, Dark Souls, maybe Skyrim despite its sameyness, Fallout 3 and New Vegas, and Minecraft.

Even though games have been heavily industrialized this generation, focused mainly on sales and 'the next big thing' there are still a few gems worth replaying 10 years from now.

 

[Gone Rampant]

I think BioWare stopping the ME3 ending problem with the Extended Cut, reprinting... THAT... book, and... whatever was wrong with DA2 that pissed off the entire internet... will go down in history.

However, I'm gonna say bet that we'll see Todd Howard being executed by PS3 fanboys if Dawnguard doesn't come out soon.