Wombat

Oh, don't worry. In fact, that's the whole point of my using "if" in every sentence refereed to you in my previous post. Since I wasn't totally sure about your opinion, I wrote my opinion in a direct manner, first, which, I thought, would keep things simple for me.

Well, I reckon the internet boards are full of such pathetic attempts but it doesn't change me or my opinion even if he or someone else is trying to be sarcastic. If he likes to spend his time by feeling superior simply playing with his words, it's just his time, which is no concern of mine. I seriously think Obsidian is one of the groups who are still trying to keep the content more original/innovative. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here or writing this since, that would be just a waste of my time. That said, indeed, personally, I think quite many games are like junk foods. I'm not interested in spending my time on them. It's just my taste and I have no desperate need to feel superior. I simply cannot make myself spend any time of mine on them. Of course, I can spend my time on other hobbies but I think I'm still interested in how technology can do with humane content. With AP and NV, Obsidian needed to spend much resources to graphics and modern behemoth engines but, if there is a format which doesn't require such things, then, what would happen?

O.K. Indeed, you appear to be drunk, fair and square. If you'd like to write about Torment, then, probably better do it alone rather than mixing it with your view about the current state of the game industry. For PS: T may have some anti-fantasy factors but the core of it is still fantasy and has no answer to practical situations in our lives. At least, I think the current situation needs more than "navel-gazing," which some people describe the work in a derogatory way. In any case, even if we may indulge ourselves with such luxury, Obsidian need both creative spirit and practical mind. Although I haven't bought anything from app stores, checking out some of the games there makes me think that it would be quite possible for Obsidian to get into the market. I wonder if they already have something solid for that direction or not, though. If they are on a right track, I don't like a speculation to get in their way and, if they are just planning by themselves, there would be nothing to speculate.

I don't know about the nature of the industry but the proliferation of the internet seem to have made quite a change to the distribution system. New distributors such as Apple/Android stores and Steam could give chances to works which probably wouldn't see lights otherwise. There may be enough room for works to satisfy our niche needs. I'm relatively happy with the existence of some relatively mainstream works such as the Witcher 2, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Portal series but they couldn't but show some limitations on the mainstream products, at the same time. In fact, I bought quite a lot of games on Steam. It's nice that they didn't cost me much but I haven't played most of them. This is partly because I don't have time but mainly because I can find better things to do. However, if some of the works on Steam can get that much attention, I think there is quite a good chance for the works by something which Iron Tower Studio and other groups are working at (I wonder what the designers there are thinking about it, though). I haven't tried any of Android/Apple stores, but I think the same thing can be said to them, too. Probably, a minor problem is that, while I think I'll end up with buying a tablet, I'm inclined to go for Android while Obsidian developers seem to look to Apple. However, this is a minor and probably luxury runt compared with the runt we have repeated about the void of the creativity.

Of course, as well as games, not depending on their origins, quite many major movies are just for show-businesses since money need to be earned more than their costs to keep things going on, but it's the very point here. Even in such circumstances, some works have some quality. So, while I understand Sawyer's point that publishers tend not to show interests in investing on content, it may still be possible to make a work with good ideas. The obvious draw-back is that RPGs often require a lot of texts and they need sheer man-power in this area, though. Well, I have already mentioned most of these but I think I needed to be clear, judging from your reaction. Well, ...the existence of the show-biz factor doesn't necessarily deny other content, does it...hopefully?

They have different backgrounds and motivations but I see the reasons why you haven't come across with them. That said, I agree that they are not exceptions about the character-development through PC-NPC interactions below. I agree with you here. In fact, as for the lack of the character developments including the protagonist, some people on the net, including me, have already mentioned it. The lack of the inter-PC/NPC character development was present even in the original Deus Ex, not mentioning the Invisible War, and I wondered about it even before the release of DXHR. For some previews mentioned the PC-NPC interactions but they didn't mention the character/story development as the result of them. There are some interesting characterizations but they feel "sand-boxed" into dependent parts rather than composing the story as a whole. Indeed, it feels very lacking especially when we are accustomed to works by Obsidian.

Yea, you seem to pay good attention to the designers' part of the responsibility in how to form the learning-curve of the players. Personally, I was impressed by the tutorial system of Assassins Creed series, which lets the players to repeat tutorials and practice them by their own. It would be better if the system gave a hint to direct to a specific tutorial when they are stuck, though. For, as you said, giving the players a basic "recipe" or "map" to tackle with the current problem given should be minimum standard. You must have played studied many more games than I did in my spare time, though.

As for (1) and (3), I guess the game-play appears to be better when you are not found out. XP seems to boost up when the player chooses stealth options, too. (2) As for the plot/choices, I'm inclined to agree. It doesn't offer even two main divisions like the Witcher 2 and Bioware games. Also, the players don't have much choices in characterizing Jensen...probably they try to follow the original formula of a silent guy with sunglasses, who lets the players imagine how they think. Well, I don't think I can agree with this one. Are they interchangeable? At least, I don't think many games have such characters, I mean, except the last one...even if even the former two are not so special in other pop culture genres.

Actually, I wouldn't stick to a particular setting as long as it is built around strong concepts. Personally, I'm fed up with a fantasy setting but, if someone comes up with interesting ideas which can be realized in such setting, I don't mind it. I just think that, even if something is marketed to pop culture, it doesn't necessarily mean it should be "dumbed down". If the same thing can be said to game-plays, why not to the content? And I think Obsidian is one of a few groups who are trying to make games of such synthesis.

Besides the difference of the styles of Hemingway and Faulkner, who even required a "handbook" to be "discovered," I came across another example for that content can contain more than its presentation. I recently watched an anime called the Girl Who Leapt Through Time to find out that it's quite a good work. While it can be enjoyed by children, it's quite obvious that it must be influenced by Heidegger. In fact, I think it's one of interesting cases where a presentation doesn't need to appear sophisticated. Well, talking of that, the readers don't need to have read Poetics to enjoy the Name of the Rose.

Yea...I guess the problem for this kind of games is putting it to our daily lives. I wonder if there is a way to make it easier to fit them into our lives (and possible new fans' lives) without decreasing the content/lowering the difficulty. At least, the grinding part can go for sure. I didn't know they had made iOS version of this one...and it seems to have attracted some niche players.

Probably, publishers don't like when they find too many writers...I remember Ziets complained of the decreased number of the writing team. If the developers pile successes in other areas, they may be able to get more control in writing areas but it's still a hypothesis. There are games I couldn't finish due to the writing and I guess I need to convince myself that the Witcher 2 and DXHR team did a decent job considering the surroundings...

It's about their styles...but, when we are talking of modern games, I think it would be wise to stick to Hemingway than Faulkner... Similarly, I'd recommend Orwell over Joyce for this purpose. If someone were to manage to make a best-seller game with their styles, I would be pleasantly surprised, though. Modern histories are, too, written in a certain style but the "authors" are normally trained to get rid of emotional content, which may be good for realism/environmental story-telling. However, such style wouldn't be good if you'd like the players to emphasize with NPCs/protagonists. Although Hemingway is known for his hard-boiled style, it doesn't prevent the readers from emphasizing with his characters...well, at least, for the majority, considering his fame as a writer, at least. Of course, as already mentioned, there are styles for suitable fantasy novels/visual novels/manga/cartoon even in modern writing and, yes, Obsidian are yet to be proven outside of these areas, I think. That said, there can be a middle ground. Some PnP designers knew better about this. For example, Greg Stafford used very simple rule for combat of Pendragon, since it is designed for realizing the feel of the original legends/folklores, where description of combat is, kind of, pastoral...even compared with that of Heike. They are before modern concept of historical materialism and, thus, he consciously chose to use a suitable "style." Also, he focused on the theme where he can let the modern players emphasize with the characters. The theme he chose was dilemma in this romantic literature, where Lancelot got stuck between his royalty and love while Gawain did between his vengeance and friendship (And yea, he even exploited the "inconsistencies" of the "original works"). Also, I don't know some people mentioned this but, for example, in the Witcher's case, (here, I'm talking of the games since I haven't read any of Sapkowsky's works), normally, the players have relatively emotional response and more detached/sardonic ones. The setting provides a sort of a middle-ground for both romantic fantasy and hard-boiled modern writing. This is probably more digestible for mature people than simplistic good/evil choices while it won't totally close the door to some people who like romantic writing. Although it's a part fantasy world, it doesn't alienate modern mind. So, closing such a setting, itself, already offers a place where the designers are less likely to step on the feet of the players. So, what do you say? The recipe for role-playing here seems to be about consistent worlds, which doesn't give the players the moments of disbelief by its own right, and empasizable activities which can be chosen by the players. Just my two cent.

Er...I was thinking of something else but never mind. I don't mind stylized comedy-touch. In fact, I even recommended Tactics Ogre to Chapman since some of the staff are common to FFT, which is his favorite. I even wondered why Iron Tower needed 3D engine for that kind of game.

2D illustration and comically-drawn characters... Is it wise to raise expectations? Won't it choke yourself in the end or...well, you need to stay confidential, anyway.

I'd rather read another novel, too. Someone criticized the lack of story in DXHR. He writes a lot but his point, as I take it, seems to be the lack of character development of Adam. To some extent, I agree, there are some convincing characters but there doesn't feel like that there is any device to connect each factor outside of the over-used ideological themes.

I have been wondering how Rolston really think about the modern standards of the gaming and this is, I think, relatively true to himself comments. I still like reading how they are building the game-play mechanics/game world but it doesn't even remotely appear that he came back with some idea for the content area once bitterly leaving the game industry.

. Well, I understand black humor but I think game industry is full of it now. That's a point of humor, which makes less accurate as an analysis but better for a catharsis.

Have you actually read their comments? Most are kinda gibberish...and even some who give actual "examples" of how DXHR is lesser than the original don't seem to notice these factors are existent in the original Deus Ex...such as ventilator crawling...some even claim that modded Deus Ex has much better graphic...there are some more but, read them by yourself if you don't value your time. I have no idea why they need to bother writing such "reviews"... Personally, I found people who write overall positively about the game tend to give keener criticisms. Plot has its ups and downs. I, personally would like it better without cartoony villains and similarly cartoony conspiracy theory, which would have gotten rid of boss battles, too. Some factors felt mutually exclusive but I guess they needed to balance the content with mainstream standards. While some factors try to be taken seriously, some other factors won't allow the players to take them seriously.

Yea, I think they did more than a decent job in both making the game competent in the market and exploring role-playing element. Seeing entrerix seems to be by far more successful in adapting to modern gaming than I am, I don't see much reasoning for the comment. My game list expanded dramatically due to Steam sales for next to nothing but I found not so many titles worth playing mainly due to the content. In any case, I guess I should be happy with that there are just enough games around for my spare time for this hobby.

Well, PST was text-gen and this one is "movie" gen, so, I know what I'd expect. If you are still able to play modern games, it shouldn't be a problem now. For this year, this game and DXHR were enough for me (I may go for Age of Decadence if it is to be released within this year, though).

I haven't played recent Bioware works but, economically, good-evil paths make sense. The stories branched mainly to two and both of them are easy to follow even for children. To be fair to Bioware, not so many faction-based choices are successful in letting the players empathize with the given sides. A big trade-off is, though, that the designers can make the settings more bearable to mature players. In the Witcher 2's case, I think, it is successful in letting the players empathize with Gelart, to some extent, while building a relatively convincing setting.

Yea, I guess I'm pretty much done with Beth as well as Bioware, now.

I value Morrowind than Oblivion because of the setting but...was the combat of Morrowind any good compared with that of Oblivion? I didn't stick to Oblivion enough to buy expansions, though. Gay marriage in a Norse-themed setting? I cannot be surprised. TES has lost strong concept existed in Morrowind, which reminded me of settings such as Glorantha, to some extent.

This is the review article by NYT. It is more about the content than game system designs. As a geek myself, while I miss a certain part of CRPG such as game mechanics, I always felt the mechanism itself keeps people away from role-playing games. Too many things to learn and not so many people think such procedure wroth their time, not depending on whether they have ability to understand them. Also, games' content is often only for geeks who indulge themselves in a certain escapist worlds rather than something we can see in novels and films or even daily lives. Again, I see myself as a geek but, even with my standard, I find it's sad to see some geeks don't seem to have what I see as common sense/knowledge about how our societies work (In fact, I don't frequent off topic boards in game forums ). I'd like to see the content of games to be more like what I can see novels/films and even our daily lives. Or, I'd like it to have insight to our lives rather than escapism. So, while I fear that the content of the games may be heading to cheap shows like some major Hollywood movies, I'd like the content bearable for people at my age.