Comments on: When there is no fun in games, whats left?

By: parol

parol — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:25:31 +0000

Kjempe kuuuul hjemmeside du har.

By: Tanasten

Tanasten — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:54:28 +0000

I’m a developer too and I agree with the post. Being working on Java games for phones is killing my love for gaming.

To develop isn’t as fun as being a gamer and dream about you own games.

By: Moon

Moon — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:01:06 +0000

It’s just that the industry is very young right now and so the publishers still all want to command the mainstream. Which means teenagers, which means our ideas about gameplay aren’t nearly as important as appearing to be the biggest thing out there, i.e. setting trends and making the teenagers feel a part of them. Unlike more established industries, a single great game can transform a little publisher into an international one. It stands to reason that publishers will see this and want to push for it every time. You don’t see Lotus trying to take on the Ford Focus, do you?

Well, ok, when I say teenagers, I really mean casual gamers – something that will always form the majority.

But even apart from this, big games are only going to get bigger and bigger – we’re on the tip of the iceberg on that one. Which means bigger teams, and therefore more specific roles within the team. I have some faith though, in the fact that the bigger the biggest games get, the more space there is below them to find or create another ‘tier’ of development ambition.

The long term will sort itself out I think, but in the short term things like 360 Marketplace are a great step forward. In our industry, for now (and unfortunately), one of the main ways we can create very distinct options for the consumer is by price point. For our part, we just need to produce games of genuine quality that don’t need huge budgets, and therefore huge retail price tags – the public don’t realise that cheap games needn’t mean crap games, but with any luck, they soon will.

Have faith Deano, the revolution is on it’s way!! note the lack of capitalisation!!! )

By: Naboomagnoli

Naboomagnoli — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 12:45:00 +0000

Making games and being an accountant are drastically different. Making a game requires that you produce something that will entertain other people. A comedian in a good mood would entertain people far more than one who is depressed and not feeling very “funny”. A rebel without a cause is known as a prat. A musician who is psyched up to play in front of 30,000 will deliver far more than if he’s not enjoying himself onstage (Oasis at Glastonbury 2004, poor). The passion and enjoyment a games development studio get from a product is evident in the final product. Games development shouldn’t be an average office job; it should be about generating a world or premise that creates a feeling, not solely within the game, but within the end user. That feeling should be one of fun, of good humour, of involvement, of courage, or of self-progression. That is best translated by a talented developer who feels the same way when they put themselves into the game. If they suffer from a feeling of listlessness or detachment, then it’s very easy for that to be translated to the gamer.

Make sure you avoid that Deano

By: Glen

Glen — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:59:24 +0000

I am surprised by the number “can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”, type responses are here. Perhaps those of you who feel that way should re-read the post. IMHO the blog is more about artificial impediments with suggestions for improvements. Is there a note of frustration, of course but sometimes a jackass is really a horse designed by a committee.

By: Man with no name

Man with no name — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:42:23 +0000

How much time is actually spent programing a game (during development cycle, is it from year 1 to 3/4 pedal to the metal, or is it sporadic when design, play mechanics, and direction are finalized or at the very least agreed upon?). It’s a shame that it sounds like office politics interfere with decision making.

By: SeminoleNate

SeminoleNate — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:05:58 +0000

I know exactly where you’re coming from mate. Screw these clowns who are saying “Suck it up, it’s work…” There’s more to life than just earning a bloody paycheck and the software industry can be bitch to work in. I do software testing for elections systems and let me tell you, I am definetely considering a “change of pace.” Real-Estate is starting to look pretty nice.

Anyways, good luck to ya, hope you find that holy grail of job satisfaction and earning potential. Oh, and when you do find it, let us all in on the secret.

By: Harry

Harry — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:18:42 +0000

I think you’re spot on. The hardware is stale, the expense of developing games is immense, and the development process has become more of a technical exercise than anything to do with games. Join La revolucione my friend, Nintendo are still the best in the biz and you wont be sorry.

By: Anti, Anti Red Cloak

Anti, Anti Red Cloak — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 14:45:04 +0000

Don’t listen to Anti red cloak, He’d be right if he was flamming or any thing. But Red cloak is asking a valid question.

Burnout rates in the gaming industry are high, and all these big name studio’s are gonna find them selves sue’d because people just can’t work under the 60-70 hour work conditions for the pay they are geting.
and what does it get them? faster game releases? hell half the games suck released by big name devs, and they aren’t released any faster under the 60-70 hour work weeks.

So its in the best interest of game devs to sit down and find a better way.

By: Shifty Geezer

Shifty Geezer — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:06:22 +0000

Looking at the responses one gets, one has to question whether blogging is such a good idea. Maybe it’s better to keep the rants to one’s friends down the pub where they understand where you’re coming from, and not open up to the mindless jerks who don’t understand the difference between ‘earning money’ and ‘living a satisfying, rewarding life’.