tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17016109.post2008956552201383035..comments2023-10-26T02:41:33.351-06:00Comments on No More Gamers Anymore: A new division of games: some ideas on how to push innovation in a way that makes everyone happyEtelmikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017669493751322863noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17016109.post-14777980283547441092008-08-19T20:45:00.000-06:002008-08-19T20:45:00.000-06:00Hi Mike. Very interesting thesis you've proposed h...Hi Mike. Very interesting thesis you've proposed here. Despite all my problems with Braid, I do agree with Blow's notion that the ludic and narrative aspects of games can, in fact, be married together in meaningful ways inside the same game. The problem is, as you suggest, no one has completely done it yet.<BR/><BR/>As others have noted, it's odd the way we erect ludic barriers inside narrative games, as if to say "we have a story to tell, but only if you prove yourself worthy of receiving it." If the protagonist faces challenges that can be manifested as "gameplay" it's possible to hook this into narrative, and lots of games have done this rather successfully. But nearly always, the gameplay rules and the narrative tends to be formulaic B-movie stuff at best.<BR/><BR/>But I continue to believe it's possible to elevate storytelling with integrated ludic elements, and we're getting closer with each Bioshock and Braid. Call me the glass half full guy, I guess. ;-)Michael Abbotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14437378247420941499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17016109.post-33573703310056551112008-08-19T14:22:00.000-06:002008-08-19T14:22:00.000-06:00male vs female, skill vs art, casual vs hardcore. ...male vs female, skill vs art, casual vs hardcore. As you know games are all this and more, I think you explored it all very well :)<BR/><BR/>Esports is something that has been rumbling on for a few years now. I don't think our medium of games is involved enough for it to be a big success. Obviously games and sport share some similarities, they can be played and enjoyed by both the novice and the professional. The problem however is our games are always changing, the rules are not set.<BR/><BR/>In football the rules have been the rules for a long time. It has been constant, but for games the new sequel is just around the corner, moving the goal posts again. Starcraft and Counter Striker have come close to breaking this mold but those games have lacked the "real" mass appeal to turn them into successful esports in the west. <BR/><BR/>I digress, your main points were with the divisions in games. Michael Abbot has just made some very similar observations over at the brainy gamer (I'm sure you have seen) All games can survive as long as the market is there. For every art house film there is a Die Hard. Some of the 'core are just scared of change.<BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work :)Glennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11250462733947212878noreply@blogger.com