Ben-DutkaI didn't need to search high and low for topics to talk about this week; two recent topics hit pretty close to home for me.
Yep, developers can be fanboys, too
Many gamers out there believe developers are both gamers and businessmen, but they're certainly old enough to have outgrown the fanboy phase. Hell, it would have to happen almost by default if you wish to be successful in this industry. You can't just keep siding with the same platform over and over and expect big profits; that's just bad business, no matter which way you slice it. It's completely illogical. However, Valve seems to be attempting to struggle along with the same archaic outlook: "PC gaming is the best; Sony sucks." Yeah, great. Apparently, it's still 1998. Valve is in an effing time warp and doesn't feel like acknowledging the very obvious fact that PC gaming isn't what it once was, and that if they continue to ignore the PS3, they're limiting their growth potential. The only reason they refuse to pay any respect to Sony's machine has nothing whatsoever to do with business, but everything with adolescent fanboy bias. It's mind-boggling.
Furthermore, I think they expect us to be impressed when they recycle yet another tired old formula. I was never all that enamored with Half-Life 2 , and in many ways, I think most console games easily eclipse even the best PC titles in a number of different categories. And lastly, every time I hear Valve slip another jab at the PS3 – yeah, it wasn't "in the race" before – all I can think is that they don't have the talent to handle the system, and they can only work with archaic PC technology and relatively simple 360 hardware. It just sounds like a bunch of whiners, pissed that it really isn't the '90s anymore, and trying to prove the lie that PC gaming is somehow just as strong as it was. Give it a rest, Valve. And please, do us all a favor and grow the fu** up.
Let's properly understand Heavy Rain
Here's an interesting comparison for you guys- those who didn't really see anything but the gameplay trailer, and choose to kinda ignore the gameplay details, really aren't too happy with what Quantic Dream showed at the Leipzig Games Convention. But ask any games journalist who was actually there, and he will invariably say the unveiling is awesome. Why? Because I think there's a lot that got lost in the translation – no, not literally – insofar that the majority of the gaming public focused on the questionable. "No cars, guns, puzzles, or enemies?" That's something that got tossed around the Internet like mad, and furthermore, everyone is harping on the one gameplay sequence found in the video. Yeah, it does indeed remind us all of the simplified mechanic found in Quantic's past titles like Indigo Prophecy , and yes, I too am worried that it will fail to deliver in this generation. But here's something I also remember from IP: an unbelievably good story and an atmosphere that was almost second-to-none.
See, that's what I'm looking for from Heavy Rain . When I read about the added gameplay info , it didn't really have much of an impact on me because I knew storyline and atmosphere would be paramount. I want a whole new experience; not so much in how my fingers touch the controller, but how my brain processes what's on the screen. I want a deep, involving plot that makes me think, and when I do move, there's a sense of authentic creepiness that makes me reluctant to even turn a corner. "Am I making the right decision?" I want that to be a recurring question, and I think I'm going to get all this from Heavy Rain .
Personal gaming update
Yeah, it's all about MGS4 now. But I'm trying to savor this bad boy as best I can, so I spent three and a half hours going through the first chapter. I just entered the second and I'm in the jungle now – finally, some true-blue stealth stuff – and I'm enjoying myself immensely, as expected. I have just seen the emergence of Liquid Snake and Naomi, and the first reference to Mei Ling. Oh, and that was Vamp out there at the start of the chapter, and I can't wait to beat the snot out of that guy…he always irritated me before. The story is starting to heat up and I'm sure it's going to be fantastic – any bets on which game gets Best Story in 2008? – which is the reason why I'm playing this game in the first place. When it's done, I figure Infinite Undiscovery will be out by then; it's scheduled for a September 1 release, and I doubt I'll have MGS4 done in a week. After that, I guess it's all about Resistance 2 and Gears of War 2 before the end of the year, although I will have to check out LittleBigPlanet .
By the way, if anybody drops any MGS4 spoilers into the comments, you will be INSTA-BANNED. LOL 😉
So in MGS IV … You-2o6k;wlk l;ikkmsl;kaf;. =x Haha.
Ben you're gonna love MGS IV, I really want you to write a review on it, doesn't have to be too big but since your the admin of this awesome site, it would be cool to know your thoughts! But definitely, you will love the game.
And about Valve, …. they're disappointing .. Lets move on. =)
Nah, too late for another review, although I might do an editorial on it. Besides, I'm sure I'll agree with Arnold's review; I do so far, anyway. 🙂
I was wondering when your were going to trash valve. And let me just say i was happy with that segment with it's passion and use of the phrase "mind-boggling", thought i was the only one that used that. As for heavy rain, i though that the action sequence was really good and even in the trailer it looked like it was going to have a entertaining story. I would actually love to see a game using that kind of correct button sequence gameplay very very often other than music games. Beat MGS4 asap and then jump onto MGO so we can get more people on the clan. Good luck with the game though and good read.
I'm in a hurricane :/
Florida?
Great article Ben!
By the way, isn't Sunny the best thing ever lol? This game's so much fun, you'll really get to do a lot of stuff.
Personally, I held MGS1 as the best MGS game all these years 'till MGS4 convinced me otherwise. Took 10 years to dethrone the LEGENDARY MGS1, amazing how things work.
Lastly, man I wish I could follow up on what you said 'bout Valve but you just said 'bout everything I wanted to say 'bout them. lol I still remember Microsoft claiming that PC gaming would take over back in the mid 1990s(I know some of you remember that lol). Ps1 and N64 were so much fun!
Valve's just bitter that every generation console gaming is getting bigger and going beyond the lack of creativity seen in PC games(FPSs and RTSs).
They're probably drooling at LBP.
Thanks. And yeah, Sunny's adorable. In the past, developers have screwed up when trying to depict a child in video games; they're either too cheesy or too sickeningly cute, but they strike the right chord with that girl. Well, at least so far. It just proves that ALL characters in MGS kick ass. LOL
And yeah, that's one word I would use to sum up Valve's entire mentality: BITTER.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 8/24/2008 12:47:00 AM
LoL.. i aww'd when i finished mGs4. why did such a great game have to end. =(..
dude, I freaking almost cried at the end!
Ben, did you play through the previous mgs's, as you said you were going to before playing mgs4? I was trying to, but I ended up getting a 360 for ng2. I got them used, because I didn't want to give ms a dollar, and it took me away from playing through the mgs series. I got "Gears" (also used). It's definitely cinematic, but I don't find the single player campaign as deep, fun, or graphically beautiful as Uncharted's. Oh yeah, and Valve is a bunch of cry babies. I can understand if many developers felt neglected and ignored by the designing of the ps3 architecture and it's tools, but I fully agree with you that getting with the program would be more profittable for them than issuing tired diatribes.
tiring diatribes nice ^_^
Oh, yeah, I know Itagaki falls into the same category as Newhall, but, Team Ninja outdid themselves with ninja gaiden 2, or what I like to call, "Gaiden of War May Cry".
Yes, Advent, that, too.
Valve are so pathetic,just cause they put 3-4 old games on disc to sell copies is lame,bet we should have 4 of the best of final fantasy/mgs/gta n others on a disc n it's gon sell like crazy!
HONESTLY, i dunno why blu-ray isn't been used to the max.Picture all the final fantasy series on a blu-ray disc,tell me it aint gonna sell like hell!
Dat's where 360 is gonna scratch there heads n *** they pants for not using at least hd-dvd for game-media.Again no hate for 360 cause i got one but am diggin the ps3.
MGS4's ending was good, but it didn't make me cry like some of you people.[Reccaman18] lol
What had me teary eyed were other things in between with some characters.
now sh*t i aint even got mgs4 yet
if valve was to work with ps3 i hope they bring couterstrike to it, that game is awesome
A real man can admit when he cries! I'm a diehard MGS fan, I have a huge emotional attachment to the characters. I cried at numerous spots, I yelled numerous times it wasn't fair, if only he was younger, lol!
My favorite MGS game was Snake eater until MGS4. I loved each one but the theme song for MGS 3 edged it out over MGS 1. But now MGS 3 falls to Mgs4
There's just about all there is to say about valve. They have made some of the most innovative games ever, years ahead of their time. Imagine what kind of insane shit they could do with the ps3. It's so stupid.
MGS4 blew my freaking mind, it is amazing. I spent about 45 minutes just shooting people with the mortar ;). I cant wait until I get some time to play through again.
Hey Ben, did you finish playing through the other mgs games?
as good as metal gear solid 4 was it didnt tear jurk me as much as final fantasy 7 did way back when. i still get chills when i see that cut scene and get a little emotional even today. id help bash valve but ive never bin a pc gamer so i basically dont know them or their work sorry. i do agree that mgs4 is the best of the mgs's.
I seriously wasn't tore up by FFVII. I love that game but there were no moments that had me emotionally f'd up. I was more messed up in FFVIII instead. Especially the one part when u were lost in space. That had me out of it. But please don't think for one second I'm sayin FFVII wasn't great.
It was so emotionally draining in Mgs4 How snake would just tough out everything, and try not to show no emotion. He handled everything like a soldier! Ur gonna love it Ben, I just hope u finished the other ones 1st, so u can be fully attached and understand what's goin on.
The story for MGS4 is so deep it's just beyond the normal typical game. I'm just starting ACT 4, just can't stop playing it now. It's like watching a movie and being in it at the same time, just incredible.
I was like saying and yelled couple of times "omfg, this sh** is awesome" and "……… omg! woot, woot! *pauses game and calls brother to see whats happening* look at this sh**!" lmao, and the final battle? -dropped jaw, listened to the awesome music, and enjoyed the awesome fight- … yep. MGSIV is beyond words … left me speechless.
I have already sent Valve sooooo many emails regarding The Orange Box and PS3. All they replied was this:
I understand your concern with Team Fortress 2 on the PlayStation 3.
If you want further information please contact EA.
Or you could buy The Orange Box via Steam.
___________________________________________________
That's a short version of what they said.
Basically, they said they don't care about the game on the PS3. And to buy it on Steam.
I hate Valve!
And I bought it from Steam. And I realized that it isn't compatible with an Intel Based Processor!
Damn Ben, you sound like an angry fanboy the way you down half-life 2 and Valve in general. Everyone knows they make some of the best games. But even developers are entitled to their own opinion yet as much as you like people to respect your opinion you don't respect theirs. Being the most successful online software/game developers, if they don't want to develop games for the Playstation because it "sucks" then it's their prerogative. Seems to me YOU'RE the winer. In my opinion, you really love their games, but the fact that they refuse to make games for YOUR favorite console you feel its necessary to call them out. Its only natural to lash out when your "baby" is criticized or "called ugly", right? It's a shame, really because if it was up to me I would just get the pc version or the xbox version. SIMPLE. No hard feelings, no anger. LOL. Lighten up Ben.
No, I don't love their games and I never have. I've never understood the lovefest tossed Valve's way, and if you decide not to develop for a particular console just because you don't like it (DESPITE it making more business sense to consider it), then that's not logical. The only explanation left is that they're a bunch of PC fanboys…and they ARE. Hell, it's basically self-admitted at this point.
The day they make something that might actually be considered innovative in the realm of consoles, I'll start praising them. But, like most PC-oriented devs, they're mostly content with producing the exact same mechanics and foundations we had a decade ago. They just figure that's good enough, and the PC elitists will buy into it because they too are stuck in the past. It drives me crazy, and there's no "whining" involved. I really don't give a crap if they develop anything for the PS3 because I get this feeling I won't be impressed by it, anyway. Period.
So you didnt like half life two or portal? I thought they were very innovative.
Last edited by Jed on 8/26/2008 10:50:56 PM
I thought I'd be flamed, a very professional response(to my comment). When we got the orange box they were basically pushing portal and Team Fortress 2… halflife 2, episode 1