Poont

[LordShard]

http://theinquirer.net/?article=27976

[Destructor Profile]

great article. Its good to see some sort of intellegence to back what i realized a few years back. Now if the gaming industry could somehow emulate what the music industry has done since the late nineties-- flooding the market with a bunch of no-talent over-produced shit and targetting young, impressionable minds through clever advertising and very large radio-play allotments-- they might actually have a chance.

[JimmyTango Profile]

Never, ever ever ever ever ever take anything the inquirer says without six barrels of salt.

[LordShard]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6140687.html

Poont again

[=ender= Profile]

Referring to the original article (the Inquirer link): I've heard the exact same or similar arguments from multiple sources.

Basic idea: with an increase in what gamers expect out of a game in the current generation of console games (i.e. PS3 and XBox360) and with an increase in the ability these games have in creating more immersive environments, the cost of development rockets up. We're already seeing that much to be true with the cost of new games going up to an average of $60 and it's true that the quality and originality of games are either going down or remaining stagnant (this part is subjective, but I believe it to be true).

Is it just a matter of time before we hit a slump in the gaming market? I doubt it. But, it sure is getting harder and harder to afford this hobby! And I agree that higher quality games or games with a lot of originality are becoming fewer and far between.

BTW keep in mind that "The Inquirer" is different from "The National Enquirer."

[Padre Profile]

Originally posted by =ender=
Referring to the original article (the Inquirer link): I've heard the exact same or similar arguments from multiple sources.

Basic idea: with an increase in what gamers expect out of a game in the current generation of console games (i.e. PS3 and XBox360) and with an increase in the ability these games have in creating more immersive environments, the cost of development rockets up. We're already seeing that much to be true with the cost of new games going up to an average of $60 and it's true that the quality and originality of games are either going down or remaining stagnant (this part is subjective, but I believe it to be true).

Is it just a matter of time before we hit a slump in the gaming market? I doubt it. But, it sure is getting harder and harder to afford this hobby! And I agree that higher quality games or games with a lot of originality are becoming fewer and far between.

BTW keep in mind that "The Inquirer" is different from "The National Enquirer."

To support your point a bit - look at all the games available on DVD and the cost difference of offering that format - even when there's nothing really different. Special Editions are also a way the companies are testing the market for the price hike. It was said that more people shelled out for the SE of the last Madden than the regular edition. The price difference was about $10-15 for nothing more than some bonus content, none of which was part of the game. This included a book, DVD, and some sort of trinket.

[PudriK Profile]

Consoles, schmonsoles... hehehe

I wonder if the same concerns could be voiced about the PC gaming market. Certainly there are the same cost drivers of content creation, marketing, etc. in play. But the most innovative games to come out recently were PC titles first: BF2, GTA, the Sims, Band of Brothers... Innovation seems to be alive and well in our world.

Being a reader of PC Gamer and CGW, I would venture that his criticism of editorial quality does not apply to the PC market. Both can be very harsh to even big name titles.

Certainly it helps that the average computer gamer is probably wealthier, and able to afford the premiums for content.

But we also have our share of clones... especially in MMORPGs, but I question whether this currently is a saturation of the market or a maturing market sorting out what works from what doesn't.

Thoughts?

[LordShard]

Originally posted by PudriK
Consoles, schmonsoles... hehehe

I wonder if the same concerns could be voiced about the PC gaming market. Certainly there are the same cost drivers of content creation, marketing, etc. in play. But the most innovative games to come out recently were PC titles first: BF2, GTA, the Sims, Band of Brothers... Innovation seems to be alive and well in our world.

Being a reader of PC Gamer and CGW, I would venture that his criticism of editorial quality does not apply to the PC market. Both can be very harsh to even big name titles.

Certainly it helps that the average computer gamer is probably wealthier, and able to afford the premiums for content.

But we also have our share of clones... especially in MMORPGs, but I question whether this currently is a saturation of the market or a maturing market sorting out what works from what doesn't.

Thoughts?

I think Oblivion when they release it will poon the console market.