If we are calling Heavy Rain a "masterpiece", then what do we call Braid, Portal 2, Half-Life 2, Mother 3, Journey, Space Giraffe, Bioshock, System Shock 2 and Passage? Is there even a way to adequately describe these games if the word "masterpiece" is thrown around so haphazardly?
Gaming culture is bereft of taste; if David Cage is a designer we herald, then we are surely destined for ruin.
I mean, did anyone *really* play Heavy Rain? It's so rife with red herrings and contrived plot-points that one should do nothing but scoff. Beyond that -- what was profound about it? Nothing! At best, Heavy Rain is a stupid story about an even stupider serial killer; and the whole thing reveals absolutely nothing about the human condition.
Inst...
No, the Mario comparison is disingenuous. I use CoD and Halo because they exemplify the repetition of experience I'm talking about. Mario is a bit more determined to provide unique experiences. Not that Mario is totally exempt, but simply that it tries a bit harder.
I also disagree that Halo's disappearance would be apocalyptic. It wouldn't be. I never imagined another Halo game after the third -- which perfectly satisfied me -- and yet here we are.
I'm only speaking for myself. And I only chose Halo 4 and Black Ops 2 because they're the biggest releases this year. I mean no ill will toward anyone.
But I disagree that Halo has changed. I've played every Halo game except ODST and I find my many experiences to be identical. The story is adequate, but not alone engrossing enough to warrant a purchase from me. My interest has vanished.
You do bring up a fair point in that Sony's exclusives ar...
Your website doesn't load for me.
I agree, of course, that cutscenes have worked to infantilize the gaming medium. But a few of your claims feel disingenuous. For one, you say that games are the only interactive art form (or medium). If this is true, then what of architecture?
Second, every medium is interactive. When you watch Grave of the Fireflies, the emotions you feel, the connotations you ascribe to settings and scenes are specific to you as an individual, your thoughts interacting with the imagery and ...
Wanna bet ten bucks?
Jon Blow says that creativity and meaning is often lost in the disorganization of large teams. If this is true, then I can't honestly see indie games being picked up by larger companies; Jon Blow certainly wouldn't allow that for himself.
I agree that the mainstream market is dull and vapid, but that doesn't seem to be changing (what with Black Ops 2 and Halo 4 on the horizon). Yet Jon Blow and his small team are creating The Witness, ThatGameCompany is obviously ...
Right, but would you not enjoy some overlap? If games happened to transition from being exclusively an entertaining (or fun) form, and instead became an entertaining AND meaningful form -- would that not be better? I think this would sate the desires of damn near everyone.
You're telling me!
Bemergui makes some interesting games, but I'll have to read the Calvino short before I finish the article. Good on you for submitting a genuinely interesting article though!
Well, we don't want to make the gamer have to work for it.
It's fixed. Thanks a lot for the heads-up!
Bastion is supposed to be really good. I heard there's a narrator talking to you throughout the whole game or something. Sounds interesting...
Vanquish 2 would be pretty sick.
The weapon system could be really cool. Let's hope they implement something interesting!
Did you read a single thing I said? I offered you a SLEW of game designers and you mentioned PETER MOLYNEUX! Ha! I neglected to mention Peter Molyneux for a reason!
You clearly don't read very often, nor do you watch many great movies; complexity is no excuse for lousy storytelling -- I mean seriously. Watchmen is more complex than Heavy Rain in every way and it is a tight and cohesive tale. One which affects the reader emotionally, intellectually, and perhaps even spirit...