Op Ed

WoW Insider - Activision/Blizzard is not Blizzard. By ex-employee Michael Sacco. Thanks Kxmode.
"You can choose to believe these answers or not, that I was fed a corporate line or that I was unaware of things going on in offices on floors higher than mine. This is your prerogative. Just remember that I no longer have a vested interest in defending Blizzard or lying to back them up."

Negative Gamer - Things We Hate About Gaming- Innovation and Change. Thanks Slashdot.
"There seems to be this invisible pressure to create something that is highly 'intuitive' and incorporates the highest level of innovation that we have ever seen. The problem is that the 'newest' ideas put into games are either gimmicky, terrible in execution, or blatantly ripping off another title. On the other hand there are series that feel the need to completely revamp a game that played perfectly fine before into something completely new that falls flat on its face."

GameCritics.com Podcast Episode 14: Do Game Developers Need to Grow Up?
"Is the game industry in a state of arrested development? We present our take on Heather Chaplin's incendiary GDC presentation. Plus, the proliferation of co-op, the viability of OnLive, and lessons learned from Leisure Suit Larry. With Chi Kong Lui, Mike Bracken, David Stone, and Tim Spaeth."

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22 Replies. 2 pages. Viewing page 1.
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22.
 
Re: GameCritics.com Podcast Episode 14
Apr 13, 2009, 20:13
22.
Re: GameCritics.com Podcast Episode 14 Apr 13, 2009, 20:13
Apr 13, 2009, 20:13
 
A 30-second intro theme and a presenter that emphasises every other word? Unbearable. This is exactly the reason I don't bother checking out most podcasts.

I agree completely! As an added bonus, because it is a GameCritics podcast, you know in advance that they will whine and cry about something no one else cares about.
21.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 19:59
21.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 19:59
Apr 13, 2009, 19:59
 
I always said the merge was a bad idea. Few listened.

The "strategy" boils down who whomever can shave off 2-3 seconds by memorizing the build order and the hotkeys

I'd give you the benefit of a doubt had I not known how detailed those hotkeys can be and how many keys themselves are used within the game. Even if the strategy is mashing hotkeys quicker then the other, give the guys props for taking the time to learn how to maximize their micromanagement. Without solid micromanagement, you're dead before you play the game at this point.

But I agree, it seemed to revolve around who could mass up the largest zerg and just plow your way through. On the other side, people still play it and some even make a living off it so who are we to argue about it's quality.

Blizzard products and support have a way of sticking around for a very long time and I think Star Craft is a testament to their integrity and dedication to the fans. I just hope it will not be something which will be lost somewhere down the road.

This comment was edited on Apr 13, 2009, 20:15.
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20.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 19:51
20.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 19:51
Apr 13, 2009, 19:51
 
You create a more streamlined and casual friendly experience, but you lose out on the depth and strategy of base building and defense.


BWHAHAHAHAHAHAH *gasp* HAHAHAHAHAH

Build orders and rushes. Yeah, real deep strategy there.

The "strategy" boils down who whomever can shave off 2-3 seconds by memorizing the build order and the hotkeys. Starcraft was infamous for this. You didn't have "strategy", you had rituals. Blocking approach paths using supply depots to help protect zerg rushes, reaver drops, yadda-yadda-yadda. Starcraft broke down into distinct builds & rituals, not strategy.

And for DOW2, I was referring more to multiplayer than single player. It focuses on using your units and eschews base building, to focus on the action. However, in it's current state, it's flawed and can't be used as a valid example.

Also you're pretty quick to put off SCII as "more of the same", especially since we have yet to see what Blizz is doing with the SP campaign.

Show me something "new". Please. We have videos of the multiplayer matches, and I haven't heard nor seen anything that's "OMGWTFBBQ!" new or revolutionary. And as for the SP campaign, we'll see, but I don't hold my breath for any game dev company, regardless of who they are or what their track record is/was. If the story is heavily narrative, like the first SC was, then it won't be revolutionary, it'll just be highly polished, like everything Blizzard puts out.

Everything Blizzard has pitched about SC2 shows it to be a smoother, refined Starcraft experience. Nothing wrong with that per se, but I played that for the better part of a decade. Blizzard isn't the second coming of Christ, they're just game devs with the money to support extremely long dev cycles constructively.

Oh, and any "Big Game Hunters" style map will totally ruin online gameplay. BGH is the worst thing to happen to starcraft, ever.
19.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 18:26
19.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 18:26
Apr 13, 2009, 18:26
 
That is fine given that I was talking about Blizzard's support than Activision/Blizzard like the "employee" was...
Wait, what?
,
Ray
Everything is awesome!!!
http://www.kindafunny.com/
I love you, mom.
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18.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 18:10
18.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 18:10
Apr 13, 2009, 18:10
 
Blizzard's fine, no one will mess with a license to print money. If there is a screw up anywhere it will be on Blizzard's head, not Activision's. Blizzard is pretty good about fixing their mistakes too.
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17.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 17:54
Kxmode
 
17.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 17:54
Apr 13, 2009, 17:54
 Kxmode
 
OMG! No wai! Shocked
"...and in stonks, Fizzy Squeezy Stocklebocks leaped over Droopy Whoopy Bondfluffs, hitting 300-gigglebits to their 150-snorebucks. Meanwhile, in Whimsyland's market, the pancakes reached parity with pogo sticks."
Avatar 18786
16.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 17:51
16.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 17:51
Apr 13, 2009, 17:51
 
Ray, kxmode did intended offense! And is now lying about it! I know, cos I'm the guy who dry cleans his socks and he as been writing his master plan on them for years, it's all in his socks!
15.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 17:46
Kxmode
 
15.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 17:46
Apr 13, 2009, 17:46
 Kxmode
 
No offense intended Ray but I'm more inclined to believe someone who actually worked at Blizzard than someone who's had bad customer service experiences.
"...and in stonks, Fizzy Squeezy Stocklebocks leaped over Droopy Whoopy Bondfluffs, hitting 300-gigglebits to their 150-snorebucks. Meanwhile, in Whimsyland's market, the pancakes reached parity with pogo sticks."
Avatar 18786
14.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 17:32
14.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 17:32
Apr 13, 2009, 17:32
 
What is up his ass anyway? Are there really people going ZOMG ACTIVISION! IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERET NOWZORZ!!!!!11111111

From the WoW side of things, let me say that the people running the game, particularly the people giving customer support, are total sh*t. Those employees at Blizzard are *ssh*l*s and should be fired immediately.

Did I say anything about Activision? No, this is all Blizzard. It is definitely getting worse, but that, too, is just following the trend over the last few years and was in place long before Activision.

So, Michael Sacco, do we agree? Total sh*t support from Blizzrad? KTHX
If not for mentioning his employment, he sounds like every other fanboy.
,
Ray
Everything is awesome!!!
http://www.kindafunny.com/
I love you, mom.
Avatar 2647
13.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 17:30
Kxmode
 
13.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 17:30
Apr 13, 2009, 17:30
 Kxmode
 
I'm going to imagine the multi-player portion will probably allow you to play all three races from the beginning. Three stand-alone games was probably decided because they have 10 years worth of story they want to tell for each race in the single-player campaigns.
"...and in stonks, Fizzy Squeezy Stocklebocks leaped over Droopy Whoopy Bondfluffs, hitting 300-gigglebits to their 150-snorebucks. Meanwhile, in Whimsyland's market, the pancakes reached parity with pogo sticks."
Avatar 18786
12.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 16:58
12.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 16:58
Apr 13, 2009, 16:58
 
if SCII had all 3 races SP you still wouldn't see the whole story for $50 because you'd have to buy expansion packs.

I'm not talking about the storyline. I'm talking about not being able to play the Zerg or the Protoss when the first game comes out. This is not a big deal to some (or maybe most) people, but I think it sucks pretty much.

Personally, I'd rather see Blizzard create a deep and innovative way of storytelling in RTSes

I love how everyone already takes this for granted. For all we know, it could the exact thing that Dawn of War 2 gave us, where you have 5 missions selectable, but you still have to do all five before the story advances. The whole "you can walk around as Jim Raynor and talk to people between missions" adds nothing to the game.

rather than try to cram all three races and giving us basically the same experience we had 11 years ago.

I would argue that seeing as how we're getting pretty much the same units we had 11 years ago, the experience will be pretty much the same. Unless for you the experience of a game comes from what happens between the maps?

Again, I understand if I'm one of the few that's not happy with it, and it absolutely makes sense for Blizzard to do this. Why sell one game when you can sell three?

But I wish people would stop with this bullshit how it's "What's best for the gamer."

It's what's best for Blizzard.

Creston
Avatar 15604
11.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 16:21
11.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 16:21
Apr 13, 2009, 16:21
 
Yes it sucks it takes "umpteen" years till we get to play Zerg campaign, but it IS blizzard we are talking about, name one game where they didn't deliver what they promised

Name one game where they didn't deliver what they promise, ok how about WoW I'm looking at my expansion box right now, it says the game has "new dances, aerial pvp, players can fight Arthas". Guess what three things are not in the game despite being displayed prominently on the box art?

But WoW is a different beast, I digress. I generally do agree with you, Blizzard is a fantastic developer and for the most part they usually deliver on their promises. They have cancelled games that have been in development for years, anyone accusing them of being money grubbing is pretty silly.
10.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 16:13
10.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 16:13
Apr 13, 2009, 16:13
 
I'd go so far as to say that the RTS genre can and in some cases has moved on beyond that. Company of Heroes is a perfect example, where base building, build orders, and zerg-style rushes aren't quite as necessary. If they could get Dawn of War 2 patched and working, it'd be an even better example.

Specializing gameplay is hardly "moving beyond" SCII. You create a more streamlined and casual friendly experience, but you lose out on the depth and strategy of base building and defense. DOWII SP campaign throws that away and creates a shallow, repetitive and boring experience.

Also you're pretty quick to put off SCII as "more of the same", especially since we have yet to see what Blizz is doing with the SP campaign. Oh well, it's your loss.
9.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 16:04
9.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 16:04
Apr 13, 2009, 16:04
 
I love how the negative gamer article biatches about a lack of innovation and how we resist it, and then praises MGS4. It seems like the entire article was simply a buildup to talk about how cool MGS4 was.

As far as blizzard is concerned, I really don't care. Warcraft 3 kind of was a miss for me personally, and I never got into WoW. I haven't touched, or even really thought of Starcraft seriously in ages. Diablo 2 was/still is kind of fun, but I can only replay the game so many dozens of times before it gets old.

I honestly don't care what their release schedule for SC2 is going to be, because it looks like more of the same with SC1, only better graphics. I'd go so far as to say that the RTS genre can and in some cases has moved on beyond that. Company of Heroes is a perfect example, where base building, build orders, and zerg-style rushes aren't quite as necessary. If they could get Dawn of War 2 patched and working, it'd be an even better example.

C&C3 and Red Alert 3 both feel dated for the same reasons. I've played this game... for 15 years almost...
8.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 16:00
8.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 16:00
Apr 13, 2009, 16:00
 
So yes, I'm sure it's in the GAMER'S best interest that, in order to get to play all 3 races in a SP campaign, they now have to shell out 150 dollars over 3 years, rather than 50 bucks when the game comes out and it's done.

If SCII had all 3 races SP you still wouldn't see the whole story for $50 because you'd have to buy expansion packs.

The original SC and Brood War campaign were good, but they were nothing more than CGI and in mission dialogue joining a bunch of maps together. Personally, I'd rather see Blizzard create a deep and innovative way of storytelling in RTSes, rather than try to cram all three races and giving us basically the same experience we had 11 years ago.

It's unfortunate that we can't have all three races at launch but it's a trade off for the additional work they're putting into the Terran campaign. It's about time for RTS narrative to evolve and what Bliz is doing with SCII is great.

This comment was edited on Apr 13, 2009, 16:01.
7.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 15:50
7.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 15:50
Apr 13, 2009, 15:50
 
Ok, i totally agree with that, but wouldn't it be fair to give Blizzard a chance until the first Starcraft 2 campaign is released before saying its a rip-off?

For all we know this might be the revolution in RTS story telling with a 40 hour play through time and actual variable endings and paths and cinematic sequences for each mission, good dialog and a awesome character interaction.

Yes it sucks it takes "umpteen" years till we get to play Zerg campaign, but it IS blizzard we are talking about, name one game where they didn't deliver what they promised

World in Conflict was also only 1 race, and it didn't strike me as a bad choice there either, wait and see until first SC2 hits seems prudent.. Blizzard is not the kind of developer that delivers mediocrity.. usually
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6.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 15:38
6.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 15:38
Apr 13, 2009, 15:38
 
That should read "It's about delivering the player the best experience, at as much revenue as possible."

Not really, it should read "Ok we'll give you all three at once but you'll have to wait an extra year or two". Blizzard is really slow Part of me thinks fine delay it but looking at the upcoming game list for this year is pretty depressing so I'm actually ok with this. I just won't buy the other two.

Activision will eventually fuck Blizzard up. It's as inevitable as the tides. A little change here and there at first, a few cost saving measures, and BLAMMO!, they're done.

Vivendi is worlds worse than Activision in my mind, if Blizzard stayed ok through them then I don't see how this could turn out badly.
5.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 15:33
5.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 15:33
Apr 13, 2009, 15:33
 
I like the WOWInsider article well enough, but he did leave out one fairly poignant point.

When talking about the decision to release SC2 as 3 games, he says "It's about delivering the player the best experience."

That should read "It's about delivering the player the best experience, at as much revenue as possible."

Because for all how everyone at Blizzard bleats how fucking awesome each campaign will be, it will still be just one race. The cool thing about SC was that you got 3 races to play with. If you're a SP fan who loves the Protoss, you're shit out of luck for three more years.

So yes, I'm sure it's in the GAMER'S best interest that, in order to get to play all 3 races in a SP campaign, they now have to shell out 150 dollars over 3 years, rather than 50 bucks when the game comes out and it's done.

I also fail to see why the "Each campaign would have been as long as the ones in Warcraft 3" scenario is bad. Those campaigns were pretty damn perfect, as far as I'm concerned. (lengthwise anyways.)

Still, at some point the publisher will fuck up the dev. Even a dev as awesome as Blizzard. This is simple game law. (EA will kill Bioware first, though.)

Creston
Avatar 15604
4.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 15:28
4.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 15:28
Apr 13, 2009, 15:28
 
Activision will eventually fuck Blizzard up. It's as inevitable as the tides. A little change here and there at first, a few cost saving measures, and BLAMMO!, they're done.

Anyway, just give me Diablo 3 now before any of that happens and I'm cool.
"The horse I bet on was so slow, the jockey kept a diary of the trip." - Henny Youngman
3.
 
Re: Op Ed
Apr 13, 2009, 13:07
3.
Re: Op Ed Apr 13, 2009, 13:07
Apr 13, 2009, 13:07
 
Blizz is more than WoW. Maybe ActiBlizz should hire additional employees to work on other titles than just WoW. There are still some people who like single-player games and don't want to play each month for a game.

Dude they're working on Starcraft II, Diablo III, an unannounced MMO and an entirely secret product no one knows anything about yet. I'd say they have their hands full and none of those things are related to WoW.
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