Deicide in gaming: How killing gods reflects cultures

Bayonetta, Final Fantasy, Silent Hill.

One recurring theme these disparate series’ have in common (outside having appeared on Nintendo platforms) is the ultimate power fantasy: killing god. Deicide and the danger of the will to power is prevalent in Japanese video games, dating back to the NES era, though it rarely appears in Western games. Exploring the dynamic between how East and West tackle these ideas reveals fascinating insight to their distinctly different cultural values.

The Japanese have a history of collectivism and pantheism, underpinned by Buddhist, Shinto, and Confucian principles. The concepts of duty, humility, and group achievement have been revered into antiquity, informing nearly every facet of society. Japanese children are taught at a young age that happiness and fulfillment comes from a sense of community, starting with the family and radiating outward. Individuality is defined by inner control and strength in dealing with others, and it isn’t surprising to find these values in every aspect of Japanese life, from business to home, childhood to dotage.

Wa is the concept of harmony, usually through community

A core tenant of Buddhism is to recognize the truth and origin of suffering, as well as mindfulness of one’s actions in the world. Confucianism in Japan stressed filial piety above all else. Even though there are several ideological differences between these philosophies, together they instilled the concept of wa, or harmony, wherein the health of community triumphs over personal interest. Those who break harmony to further their own ends are mistaken, and need to be brought in line.

The gods of the Shinto pantheon all display very human emotions and drives. The sun goddess Amaterasu, hides from the world in anger after feuding with her brother Susanoo. The Japanese goddess Uzume is credited with the creation of the Kagura dance. The examples are numerous, and the theme is clear: ancient Japan, like many cultures, accepted basic humanity in their gods. These passions and weaknesses brought their gods a little closer to Earth.

The value of communal harmony makes several Japanese game design and storytelling choices more clear. For instance, the idea of the ubermensch with a narcissistic drive to stand among the gods is a natural choice for a villain, especially when pitted against the collective actions of a group of protagonists. In Final Fantasy for the NES, the once-loyal knight Garland tries to ascend through becoming an archdemon. In Final Fantasy II, Emperor Mateus brings both Heaven and Hell to heel. In Final Fantasy VI, Kefka successfully ascends and reshapes the world, only to be struck down anyway. The theme continues with Sephiroth, Ultimecia, Guado, and on. The individualist’s worldview is as flawed as the gods he joins, and collective group effort triumphs over his hubristic will to power.

Kefka, from Final Fantasy VI, ascends into a form of godhood, just to be struck down

The theme continues well beyond Final Fantasy. Arc Rise Fantasia, Shin Megami Tensei, Xeno, Tales, and Fire Emblem all often share this common element. Other games, like Chrono Trigger and Earthbound, may avoid pitting the heroes against a god or god aspirant, but still present an extraterrestrial would-be conqueror with godlike powers. That sense of narcissistic personable godhood is replaced with something unknowable, but the collective will of our heroes still prevails.

Even in Japanese games outside the RPG genre, which often feature a single playable character engaged in a duel of wills, the comparatively disadvantaged adventurer defeats the selfish would-be demiurge. Silent Hill protagonist Harry Mason defeats Samael with some mystical liquid and a few bullets. Link fights to restore communities wrecked by the individualist Ganondorf. The irrepressibly flamboyant Bayonetta takes on multiple gods. In all these games, those content with life as it is triumph over those who seek to re-order the world as they see fit.

Even Harry Mason defeats cult god Samael with seemingly powerless weapons

Furthermore, many Japanese games aren’t afraid to create their own mythologies for these stories, or repurpose existing traditions in ways that make it unrecognizable from its origins. Basically, they aren’t afraid to depict the possibility of deicide as the way of the world.

Western games typically eschew this narrative, and it’s equally reflective of our cultural values. Though the United States specifically was founded on principles of humanism and enlightenment, Judeo-Christian and neoliberal principles are imbedded nearly to the core. We romanticize the Old West and idolize philosophical movements like Objectivism, both of which uphold the will to power as a goal to strive for. Our desire to pursue self-interest runs deep, even if it damages the harmony of our lives and the world at large.

As rugged individualism and freedom of spirit are primal building blocks for our expression, so is a distinctly Abrahamic relationship with the divine. We view God as untouchable, unknowable, and unreachable. His temperament is accepted and kept sacred, even if the storyteller isn’t a believer. We are ants struggling in a farm the builder of which we will never see, much less hope to transcend or stand beside.

Eternal Darkness could be considered an exception to the Western take on deicide in gaming

Despite these differences, power fantasies in Western games are no less prevalent. The villains are just as decidedly human. Western games often feature Hollywood-style magnificent bastards, evil because their individualism has been either corrupted or comparatively corrupted as opposed to the player’s character. It’s the method of Western villains that are flawed, not their drive, as the heroes are just as driven and often nearly as destructive. The stories are also generally more mundane. Think Grand Theft Auto, Fallout, Tomb Raider, and Call of Duty. There are half-exceptions: the decidedly ungodly aliens from Resistance, Mass Effect, or Gears of War; and characters stopped well short of meta-human ambition like Uncharted. The only real exceptions come in sort-of hermetically sealed genre worlds like the distinctly Lovecraftian Eternal Darkness or the Hellenic God of War. These gods can be opposed and defeated because they aren’t God, they’re artificial.

Bayonetta fights gods on what seems to be a daily basis; all with help from the demonic community

Deicide is a simple but illuminating path into exploring the differences in the way two cultures approach game development. Neither approach is superior; both have yielded classic experiences and fascinating results, but I believe the difference makes a case for the need of a strong game industry in both sectors, to ensure greater variety of experience for gamers the world over.

Xenoblade Chronicles X Stream on February 6, 2015

A live stream will be airing on February 6th, and it will be featuring new information regarding the anticipated Wii U exclusive, Xenoblade Chronicles X. Thanks to a translation from Gematsu, it appears the stream will have a brief overview of the title, and will air later in the night.

I, for one, am excited to hear any news they’re willing to throw my direction for this game, so I will be tuning in. If you would like to watch, as well, you can check it out here.

 

~Michael

The Wonderful 1 Million: Hyrule Warriors Units Shipped

It was announced today that Hyrule Warriors, the spin-off Zelda title developed by Koei Tecmo, has surpassed 1 million units shipped. This is great news for a couple reasons, and it is very nice to see a collaboration like this sell well.

It was noted that Nintendo and Koei Tecmo were pleased with sales of the title later last year, stating it met their U.S. expectations, and exceeded their sales expectations in Japan. However, we had no official number yet, so it left many to speculate on how well – or how badly – the game was received in terms of sales.

This is great news; this shows that third party developers can move software on the Wii U (granted, Koei Tecmo had the luxury of using one of Nintendo’s most cherished franchises), and that 2014 was good for the Wii U outside of just Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. I have greatly enjoyed Hyrule Warriors and all the DLC content thus far; sinking a good 65 hours into the title.

Hyrule Warriors is out now, with the upcoming “Majora’s Mask DLC Pack” coming next month.

Playlist of Fun: Nintendo Creates Playlist for The Game Awards

The Game Awards is upon us, and it seems Nintendo has something up their sleeve to reveal. Most likely it will be something we’ve already seen or known about, but in the off chance it isn’t, you can check out the YouTube playlist they created specifically for the event.

The Game Awards is produced by Geoff Keighley, and will have guest appearances from various big names, such as Phil Spencer, Shawn Layden, and Nintendo’s very own Reggie Fils-Aime. You can catch the show on the official site, tonight at 6PM PST.

~Michael

Holiday 2014 – A Quick Buyer’s Guide for Wii U

The holiday season is just around the bend, and video game season will be arriving along with it! With Smash Bros. For Wii U coming out soon, I’m sure many more Wii U consoles will be pushed out store doors, with owners who will be looking for their next purchase. How to remedy this situation?

I’ve decided to outline a buying guide, of sorts, that will highlight games and make it easy for new Wii U owners to find what they are looking for. I’ve broken it up into three different categories: “For Family,” “For Fun,” and “For Seasoned.”

“For Family” will be focused on just that: the family that games together. Or perhaps you are a parent looking for a good gift for your child or children, without breaking the bank. I will try to be very cost effective with this group, while suggesting titles that would fit this gaming dynamic.

“For Fun” will be focused on those who aren’t incredibly into gaming, but they do enjoy it. These are the ones who look for all the big titles, usually, but are still willing to try new things. They don’t stay informed with everything video games, but they do have some knowledge.

“For Seasoned” is all about the seasoned gamers who keep up with all the latest gaming news and titles. This bundle won’t necessarily be as cost effective as the other two, but it will definitely focus on various titles that are “must-haves” when buying a Wii U console. It’s all about the games, right?

So, without any more delay, let’s jump into these bundles! (Note: all bundles include HDMI cable, and may include shipping, depending on where items are purchased)

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For Family (System, 2 games, GamePad, and up to 4 other controllers):

1. Super Mario 3D World bundle: Includes GamePad, GamePad recharging cradle, Super Mario 3D World, and NintendoLand – $299.99
2. Optional (You may already own these from your Wii system): Wii remote plus – $26.99 each
3. Optional (You may already own these from your Wii system): Wii nunchuk – $9.29 each

Total:

• If Wii remotes are already owned from Wii system – $299.99 + tax
• If Wii remotes aren’t owned, for 1 remote/nunchuk – $336.27 + tax
• If Wii remotes aren’t owned, for 2 remotes/nunchuks – $372.55 + tax
• If Wii remotes aren’t owned, for 3 remotes/nunchuks – $408.83 + tax

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For Fun (System, up to 4 games, GamePad, and 1 other controller):

1. Mariokart 8 bundle: Includes GamePad, GamePad recharging cradle, Mariokart 8, and (1) specially-themed Wii remote – $299.96
2. Smash Bros. For Wii U – $59.96
3. Wind Waker HD – $41.17
4. Armillo (from the Nintendo eShop) – FREE (use Deluxe Digital Promotion by 12/31/14) *Note: if previous games were purchased digitally

Total:

• With 1 controller – $401.09 + tax

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For Seasoned (System, up to 8 games, GamePad, and 1 other controller):

1. Refurbished Wii U bundle: Includes GamePad, GamePad recharging cradle, NintendoLand – $200.00
2. Optional: Wii remote plus – $26.99 each
3. Optional: Wii nunchuk – $9.29 each
4. Smash Bros. For Wii U – $59.96
5. Bayonetta 2 (also includes Bayonetta 1) – $59.95
6. Mariokart 8– $48.15
7. Deus Ex: Human Revolution DC – $13.90
8. Super Mario 3D World – $58.47
9. Shovel Knight (from the Nintendo eShop) – FREE (use Deluxe Digital Promotion by 12/31/14) *Note: if previous games were purchased digitally
10. Armillo (from the Nintendo eShop) – FREE (use Deluxe Digital Promotion by 12/31/14) *Note: if previous games were purchased digitally

Total:

• Without 1 extra controller – $440.43 + tax
• With 1 extra controller – $476.71 + tax

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Of course there are a ton of other games you can check out for the Wii U, many of which I’ve already reviewed – such as Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Rayman Legends, The Wonderful 101, and Hyrule Warriors, just to name a few. Make sure to share this list with anyone you know who may be interested in purchasing a Wii U, or perhaps you can use this to persuade any friends to get one!

 

~Michael

Nintendo Outlines Upcoming Game Release Schedule for 2015

During Nintendo’s latest financial meetings, they outlined a few different plans for the upcoming year. One of these talking points was their game release schedule; I’m happy to report that everything they have promised back in June is still on track for their original planned releases (Zelda U and Starfox U being among my personal anticipated titles).

It appears that Mario Maker, Splatoon, Yoshi’s Woolly World, and Project Giant Robot will be released the first half of 2015, while others (like Star Fox, Zelda, Devil’s Third, and Kirby) will release some other time in 2015. I find it interesting that Project Giant Robot will be releasing so soon, as it seemed as though it was in its early development stages at E3 this year.

Other notable mentions are Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. will be releasing in 2015, while Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem is still in the ominous “TBD” category. Make sure to look through all the notes for yourself!

 

~Michael

Nintendo’s New Direction – Part 1

Nintendo is under fire right now. Under fire by the gaming community, as many find their latest home console, the Wii U, an inferior piece of hardware not worth purchasing. Under fire by various analysts within – and some outside – of the gaming industry. Nintendo can’t seem to catch a break, no matter what they do. Through all the different negative spheres of influence, there is one conversation that almost always arises: Nintendo is losing third party developer support incredibly fast.

Everyone has the answer for the company, though; some type of business plan to begin making only software, or allow Nintendo franchises to be used on mobile devices, or even still, to release a new next-gen console to replace the Wii U. Third party developers began abandoning ship towards the end of last year, and it has only gotten worse over 2014. How has it gotten this way? Yes, the Wii U has been out a year over the other two consoles, but it still has a larger install base than the Xbox One, with Mariokart 8 and the upcoming Smash Bros. U surely bringing even more gamers to the console – so it can’t be install base. Third party developers want to make money, no matter where it comes from, so if the right games are made for the system (without any shenanigans), they should sell, right?

Many have simply fallen into an answer that has some merit behind it, but ultimately, I believe is not the cause for all these developers seeming to purposefully attempt to sink the Nintendo console. The popular answer, which is partly true, is that Nintendo is clueless in this modern era of gaming. However, I am going to go against popular opinion and claim that the loss of third party support isn’t because the Wii U is a failure, but because Nintendo is adopting the idea that they will become independently successful without them. Before focusing on the Wii U, though, I want to make a point in regard to the Wii.

The Wii was a huge financial success, selling an incredible amount of units, mostly due to the audience it reached; it appealed to a large group of consumers who weren’t necessarily gamers. In addition, the Wii had tons of third party support, right? This is where I want to point out that much of the third party support was either shovel ware or didn’t sell too well. Yes, it had the stellar No More Heroes 2, but how did that sell? Or what about Red Steel 2, which really utilized the Wii Remote? Well, how about a sports game that has historically sold well worldwide; check out the stats for FIFA ’13 for Wii, for the Xbox 360, and for the PS3. Now, you may think that these numbers are fine, but third party developers don’t believe that. Did you know that Zombi U sold roughly 700,000 copies, yet Ubisoft considered the game a failure.

When you compare the numbers to first party titles, such as Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, Skyward Sword, Donkey Kong Country Returns, and Mariokart Wii, you see that first party titles were where the money was truly at on the Wii. Even the high profile, massive selling game that is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 sold a little over 700,000 copies (remember Zombi U?); incredibly poor compared to the other versions (Xbox 360 and PS3).

In addition to poor sales, by what third party developers claim presently to be poor sales, there were even some very popular franchises that completely avoided the Wii. Case in point, the Assassin’s Creed series. The truth is, third party developers have never truly seemed to make a huge profit on Nintendo consoles, and their leaving has been a long time coming. Yet, the Wii sold incredibly well, and Nintendo was never called a failure during the reign of the Wii. Third party support was there, but the quality was marginal at best; it was just hidden behind the quantity of third party games. More isn’t always better, and these numbers proved it. The right games are the ones that make money on specific systems. Just Dance sold very well on the Wii and Skylanders Giants sold decently as well. These were perfect for the system, and for the audience, so they sold well.

The decline with third party support, I believe, began towards the end of the lifespan of the Wii; they were probably frustrated at sales during the time, but because the system continued to sell so well, they didn’t want to abandon it completely. So, isn’t it reasonable to think that during this period of time, Nintendo noticed that their first party titles sold incredibly well, especially when compared to third party titles?

Fast forward to this year, a few months back when Nintendo had their shareholders meeting. It was revealed – to everyone’s surprise – Wii U consoles were not selling at a loss. In other words, Nintendo wasn’t losing profit on every Wii U sold, but rather, gaining profit. This is huge. So, if Wii U consoles aren’t selling at a loss anymore, and first party titles still sell very well on a system that is surrounded by controversy and general hate, why wouldn’t Nintendo devise a plan to become the main provider of software for their system?

For instance, I have a good friend who recently purchased a Wii U. He bought the NSMBU bundle, then bought Mariokart 8 and Super Mario 3D World. Nintendo just made quite a profit with one unit. And the statistics show that he will most likely purchase other first party titles, such as Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and the upcoming Smash Bros. Wii U. With every purchase I just discussed, Nintendo gets the profit. Their system, and their games.

Now, like I said before, third party titles wouldn’t disappear; the landscape would change. We will have more collaborations like Hyrule Warriors, building relationships between manufacturers. There will be titles that still sell very well, from developers who actually want to make Wii U versions of their titles, such as the Skylanders series. One final way Nintendo will utilize “third parties” is by buying them or “saving” them. There is proof of this: Bayonetta 2 was bought by Nintendo when no one else would publish it, and Devil’s Third by Valhalla Games was “saved” by Nintendo to be an exclusive. I believe Nintendo is moving towards this method; no more courting third party developers and being pushed over by their demands because they need sales for their ridiculous production costs.

In addition, Iwata has stated before that their goal at Nintendo is not to lay employees off. There will undoubtedly be layoffs over time, like recent events, but this is absolutely minuscule compared to what is found in other companies these days, like Microsoft and Sony. With this new business plan for hybrid third party games, doesn’t it fit with what Nintendo aims to do with employees? You are giving them solid work, and rewarding their hard efforts. This builds morale, and (hopefully) leads to more quality games. Also, if the collaboration is fruitful and a good experience, then why wouldn’t these developers keep coming back to Nintendo? In fact, check out what Itagaki (Devil’s Third) said about Nintendo, and what Kamiya (Platinum Games) stated about the gaming company. These are good relationships, and if fostered correctly, will grow into bigger and better things; for both the companies involved and gamers.

So far, I’ve made my case as follows:

1. Nintendo’s traditional relationship has been lacking since even the Wii era, requiring a new “method” to giving their consumers software.
2. The Wii U is not selling at a loss anymore, so any Nintendo software or hardware is profit for them, regardless of third party titles.
3. Third party titles will not be approached traditionally anymore, as what we have come to know as traditional; Nintendo will specifically help them financially to bring them on board, not simply court them and bend to their demands.

Now, my final reason for believing Nintendo is purposefully moving away from third party developers? They are creating their own studios. Let’s look at a very recent story that no one really seems to be giving enough attention to – Nintendo creating a studio from the ground up. “Garage” is being created from scratch, and the first title from this endeavor is the much anticipated Splatoon, coming out next year. Garage is full of new talent, eager to push boundaries and not conform to any gaming cliché. But, Garage won’t be the only studio like this, as Miyamaoto has stated more are being developed right now.

But can Nintendo provide enough software to fill the space? It is Nintendo’s job to satisfy their customers with software and hardware usage; that means sufficient quantities of games. It appears that the company has that covered as well, beginning with the recent release of Hyrule Warriors. Hyrule Warriors in September, Bayonetta 2 in October, Sonic Boom in November, and Smash Bros. U/Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker right around the corner. If the rumor is true, then Nintendo will have a big game per month, which started last month. All without the help of traditional third party relationships.

Nintendo is leaving third party developers; it may have been very subtle for a time, but it is obvious now. This would explain why developers like Ubisoft and EA have treated the Wii U so terribly – if you don’t believe me, just look at what Ubisoft did recently with how and when they are launching Watch_Dogs for Wii U, or how EA handled Need for Speed: Most Wanted U last year. This tactic is absurd to most of the gaming community, because third party games make the gaming world go ’round, right? This also adds to my case, as Nintendo has seemed to “go against the flow” for some time now (I mean, just look at the Wii and how unconventional it was with its controllers and target audience).

My warning to this method: make sure to cater to the West. It is no secret that Nintendo still tries to cater to their Japanese fans, but this needs to change. The Japanese gaming market has undoubtedly moved to a more mobile focus, and the West is where the massive amount of sales will come from. In order for this method to work, Nintendo can’t forget the Japanese game market while the West must be the main focus; titles like Sonic Boom are the right steps towards this mindset.

The question remains, though: would this be a successful journey? Right now, what I would call a “transitional period,” it is a little rough. But I have no doubt Nintendo will bounce back next year, and has begun to already. Sales are up, stock is up, and their software lineup is very impressive, especially for a company with such little third party support. Is this a good move? Should Nintendo cut their losses and essentially throw money at third party developers in order to reestablish traditional relationships? I’ll speak about that in the second part to this article. Whether you agree with me or think I’m a complete madman, you have to see that Nintendo has regained their focus on something. And, in short, I believe it will be an innovative move to a new version of “third party support.”

Smash Bros. 3DS Tops Best Sellers, Hyrule Warriors in Top 10

As expected, the upcoming North American release for Smash Bros. 3DS has boosted the game to the number one spot on the Amazon best sellers list. The game beats out both the Xbox One and PS4 version of Shadow of Mordor, which releases today in North America.

Smash is king, while Hyrule Warriors fights to stay in the top 10 another week

In addition, Hyrule Warriors manages to stay in the top 10 after releasing last Friday, September 26. It’s good to see Nintendo titles showing what looks to be good sales. Hyrule Warriors is out now, while Smash Bros. 3DS releases October 3. Be sure to pick them both up!

 

~Michael

Insta-gaming: A Gaming Epidemic?

I very vividly remember the days when I would get a game for my SNES and play it for months on end. The normal period of time between game purchases – well, between my parents’ purchases – was easily five to six months, and possibly even longer in some cases. I would play a game so much I knew how to finish any level without losing any lives, uncover any and all secrets, and pick up all the collectibles that were available.

As time went on, my gaming “need” began to change. I can’t pinpoint exactly where it changed, or whether it changed suddenly or gradually, but it did change. I began getting games more frequently; instead of every five to six months, the time period dropped to every three to four months. Once I moved out of the house and became completely independent, initially my purchases were few and far between – as I had little money to spend with all the added expenses. After I had established myself, however, my game purchases became even more frequent than they had before: almost once a month I purchased a new title (whether it was brand new, or just new to me).

I stopped completing games 100% and playing through only one to two times, then moved on to the next title that interested me. The only exception to this were games that truly interested me and had me hyped – games such as Metal Gear Solid 3, Wind Waker, and Dead Space. My attention span had drastically decreased with gaming, and I hadn’t even realized it.

I’m a bit OCD with a few different things: I like having a neat workspace, I enjoy keeping things fairly clean, and I am a perfectionist with many activities I take part in. Once I realized I had become less likely to finish a game completely, I was baffled that I had become this way, being the perfectionist I’ve come to love and hate.

Why don’t I fully complete games anymore? Can I complete them anymore? Why do I lose interest so quickly after I “beat” a game?

I started asking these questions towards the end of last year, when I had just finished AC IV, and had completed it fully – the first game I had since Dead Space 2, which is a span of a couple years. For a time, achievements had reinvigorated my desire to complete games fully, but that was short-lived, as I soon fell back into my old single play-through habit. When December rolled around, I had my first chance to play Wii U, even though I didn’t really want to and thought the hardware was utter junk. I played Super Mario 3D World with my wife and brother-in-law for a solid hour, and realized I had been mistaken about the latest Nintendo home console.

Fast forward to the present: I have fully completed various Wii U titles, and want to fully complete almost every single title I own. Super Mario 3D World? 100%. Deus Ex: Human Revolution DC? Almost 100% (working on it). DKC: Tropical Freeze? Plowing through the “Hard Mode” because 100% wasn’t enough for me. You get the point.

I’ve put countless hours into every single one of my titles; the least played one (New Super Mario Bros. U) still managed to get 10 hours of gameplay out of me – I finished it 100%. The average play time per game I currently have is about 25-30 hours. Yet, these are from “little kid” games that have no depth to them, right? I recently started Hyrule Warriors – which is excellent, by the way – and saw that a completionist who puts videos up on YouTube beat the game fully, which took him roughly 240 hours. Yes, you read that correctly; 240 hours! Since I’ve had my Wii U, my interest in completing games fully has gone up drastically, and I’ve come to find that multiple AAA games released in the same month is nice, but perhaps it’s a little much.

You probably just read that statement and completely disagreed with me, which is completely fine, but hear me out. I think that we, as gamers, have subtly adopted an “insta-gaming” mindset in which we view and judge consoles/games with. For instance, did you know that within the past year, the Wii U has had more exclusives and true next-gen games (cannot play them on the Wii, Xbox 360, or PS3) than the PS4 and Xbox One? But many don’t see that; they see the “drought” and that Wii U isn’t selling well. Most can’t get past the initial [terrible] job Nintendo did within the first nine months after the launch of the Wii U, instantly equating it with Wii U somehow not having enough games. Don’t believe me? What games have we had that couldn’t be bought on last-gen systems? inFamous: Second Son, Ryse…there are a couple more coming this year, like the Halo Collection Remaster, Sunset Overdrive, and Forza Horizon 2. All other games for the next-gen systems are either available for last-gen consoles or delayed until 2015. Since September, around the time the PS4 and One released, Nintendo has released Wonderful 101, Super Mario 3D World, DKC: Tropical Freeze, Mariokart 8, and Hyrule Warriors – all games that cannot be played on anything outside the Wii U.

We don’t see those statistics though. What we see is “not enough new games,” which does hold some merit, but it isn’t directed in the properly. All the systems fall into this argument, yet, because of marketing it doesn’t show – this is definitely one of Nintendo’s weakest points, though they’ve made huge progress in 2014. We are so focused on the newest title, the latest game to play, that we move on from the games we just purchased within the last three to four weeks. This makes me think there is somewhat of an “epidemic” of sorts within gaming culture: this is where I coin the term insta-gamer.

I am not saying diversity is bad. I am not saying 3^rd party support is bad. I am not sticking up for Nintendo’s recent collapse of 3^rd party relationships. I am simply saying that we, as gamers, seem to have picked up the idea that if there isn’t a new AAA, high profile game every few weeks, there is a game drought. The industry has changed since I was young, and will continue to change in coming years, but that doesn’t justify this mindset. There are a couple key things to look at when it comes to insta-gaming.

1.) We pay roughly $60 for a brand new title: Shouldn’t we “get our money’s worth?” Costs for video games has gone up drastically with the rise (and possible fall) of AAA games being released constantly. When I pay $60 for a title, I want to enjoy the game for some time; I want enough content to keep me satisfied, since I’m not made of money. I’m willing to bet that you, reader, are in the same boat. You do not have unlimited financial resources, nor unlimited time to play. So, when I purchase a game (let’s use Hyrule Warriors as an example, since it just launched and that is the latest on my play list), I want a full experience. Right now, I expect Hyrule Warriors to keep me content long after the next Nintendo releases I have in my wish list (Smash 3DS, Bayonetta 1 & 2, Fantasy Life, Smash U, Sonic Boom). But think about that: I just named six games in the next 3 months! I’m going to have a tremendous backlog, right? This leads me to my next point…

2.) If we have a back log of games, that should be a good thing; it isn’t seen that way though, as initial sales have become the focus. This is another symptom of insta-gaming: if a game does not sell 1 million copies the first week it is released, it is generally considered by many game “journalists” as a failure. But, if I have a back log, and have limited finances, so how will I purchase every single new AAA game released? Recent news of Bayonetta 2 selling “poorly” swept a lot of gaming news posts last week. There were some key facts not considered or highlighted by many, though: roughly 40,000 copies in one day, in one region, in a market known for being a mobile market is not bad at all. I would call that a decent start. But, because of high profile, next-huge-game-of-the-year mentality, this becomes a failure and creates negative press. I not only want multiple games a month now, I want my sales now. This doesn’t take into consideration titles that are “slow-burning;” essentially gathering massive amounts of sales over their entire lifespan. An example of this type of game is DKC: Returns on the Nintendo Wii. The game sold well at first, but it’s overall lifetime sales were superb: it didn’t come instantly.

3.) When we jump from game to game so quickly, it skews our perspective on having fun with our games. Correct me if I’m wrong, but when you find a game that you genuinely have fun with, don’t you play it extensively? One of my favorite franchises of all time, the Dead Space series (specifically Dead Space 1 & 2), is an example of this for me. I’ve logged in countless hours into these two games, completing each one 100%, and enjoying the story multiple times. I must have played through each game at least five to six times. In fact, as I write this, I want to go back and replay them, and maybe even purchase the third installment, since it is cheap enough now. However, will you be able to enjoy Destiny fully if you jump to the next game a week later? Will you enjoy Forza Horizon 2 completely if you move on to the Halo Collection Remaster within a month? Will you enjoy the massive amount of content in Hyrule Warriors if you move on to Smash a week later? A steady stream of releases is great for any console, but they are meant to reach a broad audience since not all gamers have the same tastes; you can pick and choose which games to purchase immediately, and which ones to purchase later on when you’ve moved through your initial play list.

So, have we become insta-gamers? Is this necessarily a bad thing? What kind of repercussions will follow in the years to come, and will this possibly affect gaming culture in general? Will we become proverbial jacks of all trade, but masters of none – speaking in a gaming context? I believe this insta-gaming mindset will cause an implosion in the gaming industry; in fact, I believe it is already happening. We want games now, so developers need to create games faster. But we also want them to be good quality, have massive amounts of content, and they have to sell well in order to be successful in our eyes. This has caused many large developers to go bankrupt (look at THQ, Irrational Games, and the recent issues with Crytek not paying employees), and it puts added stress to sell massive amounts of copies immediately. This is a recipe for an implosion, and maybe it is “needed,” but I don’t want to see people losing jobs because of insta-gaming. With this demand for games, quality also lessens. A perfect example is the Call of Duty series; they cash in but have lost the quality and innovation that even put the games on the map. Heck, look at Ubisoft lately: how good do you think the three (yes, THREE) Assassin’s Creed games will be that are all being released within the same year?

Perhaps I am alone in thinking this, and maybe I’m just being idiotic – which happens regularly with me, so I would understand – but this mindset is sweeping gaming culture. What happened to the days that we took our time with games, mastering them completely, and finding full enjoyment in a full-priced retail title? Is there a solution to this problem? Is it even a problem to begin with, or simply the ravings of a madman?

All I know is that I’ve become aware, and from here on out I am enjoying every game that I purchase to the absolute fullest.

~Michael

Get Back to Where You Once Belonged, Part 3 – Manufacturers/Developers

Before continuing this “mini-series,” if you will, I want to throw out a few disclaimers.

1.) These articles are NOT “bashing” articles. Rather, they are my views and opinions regarding the discussed groups, in which at the end of the series I hope to bring focus to positivity. These are not meant for negativity, though they may contain some topics that are.

2.) There will be multiple articles, I have three planned, in total. I would love to discuss the topic(s) at hand with anyone willing to discuss, but please read all the articles to get a full understanding of what I am trying to say.

3.) Did I mention these are just my views and opinions on the gaming world in general? I did? Ok, cool, then let’s remember not to take anything too seriously or personally. That being said, I hope that perhaps one or more of my ramblings will strike a chord with you. So, let’s get started!

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So far, I have spoken to gamers and game journalists/writers. Now, I want to end with the manufacturers themselves. I’m not speaking of just the developers: I’m speaking about the hardware companies (Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony) and the developers (both big and small, but mostly the bigger ones). Notice that I added Nintendo in that group? That’s right; as much as I enjoy the company and their products, they aren’t perfect and need some change, just like the other companies.

This article is tricky, because I don’t want to come off as a snobby know-it-all, but I don’t want to dismiss what I view as issues within these companies working within the gaming industry. So bear with me as I work through my thoughts, as I promise I do have a point to all of this.

Let’s start with the actual companies who make the hardware, in order for the software to be made. Around the time the original PlayStation and Nintendo 64 were released is when I began showing an interest in not only gaming itself, but the business behind it all. Even as a young lad, I found the gaming industry intriguing because it revolved around something I greatly enjoyed. I remember the debates and arguments between the systems: PlayStation games are directed towards a more mature audience; Nintendo has the best multiplayer console; game discs were better than cartridges, thus making the N64 obsolete already.

These topics and controversies were answered with awesome software and a newfound longevity [at the time] for consoles. These “fights” between companies spurred on competition, which created better products; and guess who was the real winner in the end? The gamers. We had great titles during this time period, such as Ocarina of Time, Metal Gear Solid, Goldeneye 64, Smash Bros, Crash Bandicoot, and so many more that are held up high by many gamers today. No one complained about lack of 3^rd party support, remasters, or extremely high standards/expectation for sales. Not to say that the companies and journalists at the time didn’t contemplate these topics, but we, the gaming community, didn’t focus on them so much.

Now, all we ever hear is how much one system is selling, the abundance of shovel ware on another, the lack of creativity and ingenuity for another, no 3^rd party software support for another. Many of these discussions are worn out and tiring, which can lead to an exhaustion from the gaming industry in general. So, where does the answer to all of this start? With the hardware manufacturers themselves. First, I want to make some commendations where they are due.

Sony has offered up a decent piece of hardware, which has focus on the future. They learned from their mistakes at the beginning of the last generation of consoles (PS3) and made a much more affordable next-gen console that will only get better over time. Though their software is lacking (will get to that later), and a mis-step in regards to PlayStation TV, it appears that once the PS4 hits its stride (not speaking of sales, but actual gaming experience), it will be quite the spectacle. Microsoft has been quick to lower the price of their system by dropping the Kinect from the bundle, though initial buyers may seem cheated; kudos to them for making the move for future buyers. Nintendo, though with a terrible launch and the first nine months after, has picked themselves back up and have a very heavy schedule of software, with a renewed focus on gamers. Nintendo has made the most improvements this generation, and though not completely where they need to be yet, they are trying to get there and making changes as they go along.

Now that the kudos have been given, it’s time for the changes that need to happen. Gamers have become very fast-paced with their gaming: we want it now, we want it to be the best, we want more. This is a blessing and a curse, but regardless, as someone in the gaming community recently mentioned to me, the manufacturer’s job is to “benefit the customer.” This is very true, and when it comes to sales, this is how any of these companies will prosper. Now, what does that mean? If I invest in a gaming system, I want some sort of longevity, good software, and entertainment. In other words, I want my “money’s worth,” a reason to use the system.

The main problem I have with all of these manufacturers is that they relied on either nostalgia or remastered games at launch. I understand there has to be a transition, and there will most likely be games that are on both the old and new consoles. But, we get “remasters” of games that are only a year old? Or “remasters” of games that don’t really need to be remastered. These would be fine additions, but these games have been released as major releases to entice customers to buy the new console. My answer to this? Just stop. Make games, and work with 3^rd party developers to get games that truly offer the “next gen experience.” Many games at the launch of a console aren’t the best, and software will only get better as time goes on, but make new games that give us a true reason to buy. All of the hardware manufacturers have failed in this regard this generation. And when they finally begin making the right decisions, we should applaud them (I specifically have Nintendo in mind here, at the moment).

One other issue that needs to be addressed involves both parties: the manufacturers and the 3^rd party developers. Manufacturers have become submissive in order to create sales (except in the case of Nintendo, who has had a rough relationship with developers), and 3^rd party developers have become bullies. Large 3^rd party developers seem to be leading the industry to an implosion. You may not agree with me, but keep these things in mind: the “rotation” and staff turn-arounds in many of the devs is demoralizing; many AAA games demand enormous profit in order to simply break even; and these devs have become the deciding factor (not in a good way) in whether a console succeeds or fails. Why be a developer if your job is only secure for maybe a couple years at best? Why do gamers have to buy sub-par games just because they are the latest and greatest, and that is what is available at the moment? Why can’t both manufacturers and devs put in their fair share of work in assuring both products succeed?

Developers have become lazy in some aspects. What do I mean by this? I have an example.

Ubisoft released a Wii U exclusive game for its launch, titled Zombi U. Now, the game would assuredly have its faults, as it is a new console and a new IP. But there were many bugs to be found in the game, including a game-breaking bug that caused much annoyance amongst the gamers who bought it. How long did it take for Ubisoft to fix the problem? Months! Now, you may say that it takes time and bodies to take care of this, which lead to expenses. But here’s an example of a developer that hustles for their gaming fans: Armillo is an indie title that was released this year, and a few bugs (some major) were discovered by users; with an incredibly small team, Fuzzy Wuzzy Games was able to create a patch (and get it past lotcheck) to fix the problem within about a month! This type of activity needs to be made known and commended. If a small indie developer with limited employees and finances can do this, why can’t the big AAA developer do the same, if not better?

This leads to developers taking on a bully-like mindset.

“We made this game, and you had better help us to promote it, or we won’t do business with you any more.” Now, I believe that manufacturers need to play some role in getting games to sell: make a bundle with high profile titles, help to market, and so on. But, this isn’t an accurate description of what seems to be the view of 3^rd party developers now; they want the manufacturers to do all the work. An “I made the game, so you do everything else” type of thinking. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. Yes, Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo need to work with these developers in getting their product out, but it is a sad day when the manufacturer is expected to do all the work after the game is made.

“We will promise one thing, then do another, and you have to accept it because it boils down to business and sales.” I appreciate and understand that ultimately these companies are out to make money to survive another day. I am more than ok with this; if I had my own business, I would do what is necessary to create sales. However, the problem I have recently with developers is they choose to make software fail on specific hardware. This is a ridiculous concept. A couple of examples: EA made Mass Effect 3 as a gimped port from the other versions, then left Nintendo completely because games released like this didn’t sell; and Ubisoft made Rayman Legends a timed Wii U exclusive, then changed their minds and released it with every other console at the same time. Exclusives are great and push product, and multiplatform titles help create larger sales, but often the developers have too much power and can begin creating negativity around hardware. When large developers have the power to affect consumers’ views on hardware, not just their own product, there is a problem.

“We will make this game, and if it doesn’t sell on your system (even if it isn’t very good), we will pull our support.” This makes me scratch my head. This is partly due to the gaming masses that continue to buy the same game with a new package (pick your franchise, as I’m sure you already have one in mind); there’s no denying that. However, the developers need to make titles worth owning. Taste is subjective, but quality is objective. When a game comes to a system that has more bugs, is “gimped,” and doesn’t have any extra features other versions have, this is wrong. This doesn’t boil down to taste, but forcing junk down the throats of gamers to make sales.

There is a common thread amongst all of these issues, with both manufacturers and developers: too much power is a terrible thing. Why do we have checks and balances? Why is it best to bring in a third party to settle a dispute? We are human, and we benefit from having others giving insight. Now that gaming has grown into mass appeal, making its way into various facets of different cultures, there needs to be some humility. Nintendo was made humble with Wii U, and they are making much better decisions. Sony was made humble with the terrible PS3 launch and first few years, but they’ve redeemed themselves since. But where is the massive kick-back when a developer makes a terrible port and blames sales? What about when a manufacturer claims a peripheral is part of the hardware – making everyone spend the extra money to buy it – then decides to drop the peripheral only months later and sell the hardware at a cheaper price?

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I write all of these articles to try and rally the gaming community, as a whole, together. Can’t we get back to the days when we played a system we owned, and hassled others in fun – not in derogatory, hostile, or demeaning ways? In many ways, if I was an outsider and was making a decision to get into the gaming community, I would not join in. If I weren’t a gamer already, I would most likely put my time into something else that didn’t seem as rotten and hostile as the gaming world in general appears to be at the moment. There needs to be change to positivity, as it seems that anything game related has some type of negativity attached to it.

“I bought a PS4….because the other consoles can’t match the technical specs.”

“I own a Wii U….because the other companies lack innovation.”

“I have an Xbox One….because the other consoles suck in comparison.”

Why can’t we, instead, say, “I have _______ console because I want to play the games!”

The gaming community needs change: “gamer gate,” bribed journalism, death threats, unnecessary disregard for specific systems, negativity engulfing the community all create nasty atmosphere. Although I know it gets more complex, and there is no way to avoid it, can’t we all adapt a simple concept that involves everyone: make innovative hardware, make good games, play games together. It won’t happen overnight, but change to positivity will do nothing but benefit the gaming community. Celebrate games, consoles, and stories related to our gaming experiences.

I’m sure there are many answers that can help alleviate the current state of the gaming world, and perhaps my view is simply not attainable, but you have to admit there is a lot of messed up happenings in the gaming world. So, let’s make an active effort to impact what we enjoy so much: video games.

 

~Michael