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KyleWritesStuff commented on Video games should aim higher than Michael Bay movies

Apologies for the numerous typos. It's 6 A.M. here and I have barely woken up.

Posted on June 30th, 2012 6:31am

KyleWritesStuff commented on Video games should aim higher than Michael Bay movies

My problem with your last piece and current one is your whole argument is based around a game not even out. To derive a whole argument from something you haven't even experienced doesn't exactly lend you credibility enough for me to keep reading (I did read your article if you are wondering.) And since the game isn't out you instead have to look over preview materiel, much of which has explained in detail that the "shotgun to the head" approach isn't a necessity, and that whole combat scenario can be avoided entirely. The survival mechanics in this game are promised to be more than "shoot guy, take his stuff". Naughty Dog has gone into detail that if you try to avoid that particular combat situation you will miss out on some good items to keep you alive later in the game because the looters will eventually pick them off. This creates a nice sense of urgency when deciding if you have enough supplies to avoid conflict, or will you be forced into a firefight to survive. Sure I'm projecting a bit but that's all I can do considering the game isn't out. It feels as if you have purposefully left out quite a few details coming from the developer or just haven't done your due diligence in researching it. There is plenty of promotional material/interviews that go into detail about the expanded linearity of this title. Also let's not forget this is a post apocalyptic game, bad things occurring throughout the game are inevitable. I didn't see anyone make a fuss over War of the World's when Tom Cruise's truck was stolen and the thief was then shortly shot thereafter following a mob trying to overtake the truck yet another time. I do believe you are projecting your thoughts on film and I feel you are doing it lazily. If you pay attention to only hit blockbusters like Call of Duty then you are narrowing your perception of the craft. There are titles after titles that have zero killing that are doing amazing things in video games. To put them all in a single room and say "you aren't doing good enough" is disrespectful and I say again, lazy. Games like Machinarium, Braid, Psychonauts, Lone Survivor, and others are striving to be something more than a mindless killing game. My advice? Broaden your mind a bit, you have a case of the E3 Press Conferences and it shows. Gaming isn't in any creative danger just like film is. You can't take a single title (or a few) and sketch out a whole medium's movement. If that were the case I'd like to have a sit down with you and watch "Speed 2" so we can later cry about the fall of film as we know it. I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill here, honestly.

Posted on June 30th, 2012 6:26am