Old school v.s. modern (Gaming)

[Turing_Gamer]

This question has been driving most people crazy. Looking at all the games, from the 2D Super Mario Bros. and the 3D Marathon all the way to the Portable games and MW2. Wanted to make a discussion...

[USEC_OFFICER]

Really? A Marathon refence? Don't you think the kids are too young for that? *Pulls up pants* *Drops dentures* Dang it!

[jbking]

I'm more of an old school gamer that kind of misses those days where fewer buttons and sticks were on controllers. Back in my youth, we had 1 button on a joystick and that was it. I'm thinking of the Atari 2600 days though there were some C64 games where one used a stick with a button. I'm more of a PC gamer than console person now, but I think there is something to be said for how a game is played and what are the challenges to playing the game. Is it merely a test of how fast one's reflexes work or is there something to be worked out in terms of strategy in playing the game? How long does the game play and what kind of saving features does it have? For example, I could compare "Age of Empires" to "Diablo II" for where there are major differences in that in the latter there can be days of time spent powering up my character and advancing through a specific narrative that isn't necessarily the case in the other game where I can take a random map and go from start to finish in about 70 minutes.

[SNIPERDUDE]

I think a moderation of both is good. You can never kill the classics, but I also find these new games (COD:MW comes to mind) a bit too much. To many buttons, controls, etc that make it slower to learns (although there is a sweet spot in there that whence you have the knowledge it becomes addicting).

As more of the world turns to gaming, the difficulty increases with the demand for something better. But for someone like me who hasn't really played a FPS since Quake picking up on new games like COD:MW becomes a serious obstacle. Developers need to start (and it can already be found when you look at open-source games) finding that balance: a short learning curve and high playability (addictive).

I think one of the major problems is most companies want to get the game out as fast as possible, not taking the time to make the game as good as the potential there.

That's my opinion anyway.

[Turing_Gamer]

That is true. The old school games, due to their lower grade graphics and simplicity in controls, are complete. Some modern games on the other hand, grab the attention of people due to their high graphics, but they tend to have sloppy camara angles and bad controls, and even the storyline can be off. But there are the rare (MW2) that make it through and prove themselves better than the classics. I said a mix of both for this poll.

[apomb]

Oldschool, if I have a choice. But even then, I havent considered myself a "gamer" for a long time. Can you even be considered a gamer if you only prefer to play oldschool NES/SNES/N64 games?

[SNIPERDUDE]

I always have the same question. I'm not even sure if I should consider calling myself a gamer. Normally, No. But since I started working on a FPS as a side project I'd say kind of (though my playing games hasn't changed any, I'm just observing these games more).

Side note: N64 Kicks ass.

[qmanjr5]

I'm more into the [modern] FPS games, but I've also played my share of the old arcade games. I love the ones like, Mario, Donkey Kong, etc, etc, but I will always like the modern games.
Maybe it's 'cause I'm still a kid that I'm more into these games, and yet I [and everyone else should] like the arcade classics.

[apomb]

Here is a good description of old-school players trying to compete in the modern age of gaming: http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/02/no-country-for-old-men/

[SNIPERDUDE]

Haha, sounds about right.
Also Wired is probably one of my favourite online subscriptions. Good stuff.

[USEC_OFFICER]

I just realized, Marathon isn't 3D (Though some people were working on that) It uses raycasting, raycasting. Say it with me, raycasting.

[SNIPERDUDE]

Didn't wolfenstien3D use raycasting?
Not exactly new technology, and is also a great simple way to creat a pseudo-3D experience.

[ecookman]

I personally wish I could play CODMWF2 with 8-bit sprites.
so both for me

[USEC_OFFICER]

Yah, wolfenstien3D used raycasting, it was the only way at that time (till 1998 or so) to show a 3D space.

[SNIPERDUDE]

Them was good times...