New games are coming and the gaming community continue to constantly debate the pros and possible cons of new titles. New releases are always an exciting topic and allow the gamer to imagine the final product. Many games have come out over the last couple of years with pre-launch hype higher than Chong at a studio audition. During this pre-launch hype phase, games have been praised and awed by the public at the initial stages of promotion and demonstration. A large amount of the gossip about games comes down to a few different items gamers begin filling the hype machine with (sometimes the studios themselves). We here at Gamer Headlines want to know how you decide your reasons to purchase a new game. Let’s begin the discussion with the basics…
‘The Division’ is one of many games coming out in 2015
1) Graphics/Environments: Both have been greatly increased with every generation of console/PC, and additionally have increased throughout the life-cycle of each generation. Currently anticipated games, such as: The Division, Assassins Creed – Unity and The Witcher III – Wild Hunt, have been highly praised for their graphics and environments from the moment they were first revealed. Similar attention was given to other big titles, such as, Destiny and Watchdogs, which have already been released. With large land masses to explore, many of these games give opportunity to the gamer to embrace a living world much larger than games of the past. Graphically all the big titles are all impressive but many gamers fear the hidden details of the game demos showcased at large video game conventions (Memory Lane: Watchdogs-Gate)
TGH questions for the gamer: How important are the graphics/environment to you overall? How much do the graphics draw you into the game? Does environment size ever overshadow the graphics?
2) Online/Co-Op multiplayer: A very important aspect many gamers anticipate is the multiplayer. Very interesting is the fact many gamers have developed a multiplayer biased in the decision to purchase a game. The Battlefield series and the Call of Duty series have been known to be primarily purchased for the online multiplayer rather than the single player. The phenomenon has been developing for decades. A simple concept pioneered by games, such as, the original Counter Strike on PC, seem to remain relevant even in today’s high standards for video games. How gamers like their multiplayer ranges across the different genres of games of course.
TGH questions for the gamer: What multiplayer type gets your attention the most for a new game? Does a standard formula continue to draw you to products like COD? Do you want a new spin on the multiplayer experience? Do you purchase games for the multiplayer only?
3) Story/Gameplay: Arguably the overall gameplay is a top priority for gamers to be drawn into a new title. If the game plays well and has great mechanics, the main task of the game is objectively achieved. What about the story? Oddly enough, games have been successful without a story to tell. Many FPS have made a story a second thought rather than putting energy into concept. Destiny has been highly criticized for their apparent lack of story. The game presented a story but the developer, Bungie, decided to focus on gameplay rather than direct story telling. On the other hand, other games have devoted a great deal of time into an extensive story but some fail to achieve great gameplay.
TGH questions for the gamer: How import is a story of a game to you? Can gameplay be so well done that a story is irrelevant? Do you think a great story can continue a series longer or does great gameplay continue a series longer?
‘Destiny’ has been highly criticized for not having a strong enough story. Some gamers don’t mind…
Understandably all of the gaming community would like the best of every aspect discussed above. The standards of our community have continued to grow with expectations and anticipation throughout the years and all the plethora of releases. Developers have their work cut out for them to continue to “wow” and “captivate” the gaming community. Now we can all sit and eagerly wait for what comes next…
What do you think? Leave a comment below and address some or all the questions mentioned in this article. Thank you for reading and until next time, keep gaming!