20 years after the NEs, we still suck at making games

jethrek · Apr 30, 2004

Really, over the last 20 years since the Japanese took center stage in console gaming, what have we proved as a country?

We produce a few lines of games, and pump them out non-stop. That is to say Sports games, First Person Shooters, RTS games, and most recently MMORPGs.

This wouldn't be bad, but we churn them ALL out in a grinding facotry style release. The fact that EA is our biggest company is telling. They release the same games year after year.

The FPS genre, which has been the PC and X-Box (The American platforms) staple is possibly the least innovative genre in my opinion. In general, one meaningful FPS game comes out a generation, and spawns one sequel- but really that star is more similar to all its contemporaries than it will be remembered as having.

I really wonder if American companies will ever focus more on game mechanics, less on graphics and tie-in liscensing.

Anyone else have a different- or similar- take at this point?.

galfordo · Apr 30, 2004

I think the Japanese still definitely have the upper hand, but I think American game developers have shown significant improvement. Retro Studios produced Metroid Prime, one of my favorite games in the past five years. Of course that was under Miyamoto's direction, but I'm sure they did most of the details. I thought the Crash Bandicoot was a surprisingly well-done platformer, especially from a couple of young American guys. Metal Arms was another nice game. Then of course, there are all the FPS and sports games. Half-Life was a brilliant game IMO, done by an American group, right? Well, that wasn't a console game, but I still think it deserves a mention.

We're still very weak when it comes to fighters and rpg's, but I think we've made significant improvement in other areas. Still a long way to go, but we've made some progress.

Verbatum · Apr 30, 2004

In my personal opinion, the only US developed games I really care about have the Legacy of Kain title in them, or if a new Eternal Darkness were to show up. For the most part, I find US games to be void of artistic interest in almost every catagory. Plus, US games almost always have some horrid flaw in the control, gameplay, or balance.

It just seems to me that while both Japan and the US want to make money on games, Japan clearly sees them as a form of art, while the US seems to see them as a money-maker only. That's why we have the XBOX: uninspired, flawed games for the masses.

Kunai · Apr 30, 2004

Yeah, it's very rare to see US companies make hits that are solid in gameplay and overall fun, but US developers have hit their mark from time to time. Tony Hawk games were a great concept when it was conceived. Halo and Half-Life were great FPS games that really made gamers feel like they were a part of a movie. Sports games from EA and Sega are getting a lot more fun to play.

I think the most innovative US developer overall (gaming in general, not restricted to console) would have to be Atari back in the day. The reason why I say that, is because they have always made games that were either totally original and fun to play, or they added new twists to older game concepts to make it a totally new experience. Games like...

Tempest
Centipede
Crystal Castles
Black Widow
Major Havoc
Marble Madness
Blasteroids
Gauntlet
Escape Fron The Planet Of The Robot Monsters
Roadblasters
720
Paperboy
Zybots
APB
Cyberball
Road Runner
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

... I could go on.

Ever since they went under, I haven't seen game companies make games with that same kind of passionate fervor for game design, and churned them out on a regular basis. I don't know if I ever will see that type of passion from any present-day company. Thank God for Midway's Collection Volume 2... at least I will be able to relive some memories at my ripe old age.

EDIT: Ooooh, now I got a horsey underneath my avatar.

Buro Destruct · Apr 30, 2004

I think Verbatum hit the problem on the head. Japanese culture accepts games as a form of viable entertainment and even art (Rez, Viewtiful Joe, etc) and as such actually strives for innovation in the industry rather than settling for "what works".

Americans are just out to make money.

It doesn't really affect me though, I'm not ashamed or bothered that American developers are notoriously horrible.

galfordo · Apr 30, 2004

We're in second place behind the Japanese - it's really not all that embarrassing of a place to be. They're just damn good, and very passionate about their work in video games.

jeff bogard · Apr 30, 2004

For a fact the US developers are getting better. And although the japanese are still making innovative games, I think that I have to blame them for making the lamest genra (in my opinion), freaking RPG's. However, I do have to give them props for bringing probably the most entertaining games I've played.

If there is another company out there that makes good games, is Blizzard. I like them for Warcraft 2, but I haven't played other games from them. But watching Diablo 2, it's just not my thing, and it seems very lame. I guess that's how they view 2d fighting games.

Well just my 2 cents.

Buro Destruct · Apr 30, 2004

jeff bogard said:
For a fact the US developers are getting better.

Well, they're TRYING. I for one find more blatant flaws in American developed games (we're talking simple things like play mechanics) than Japanese. The most glaring example being EA, their talent for forcing the player into fighting the game rather than PLAYING it is relentless. I don't know how many times in either SSX 3 or NFS: Underground I've cursed their entire staff because of their assinine track design skills.

jeff bogard said:
And although the japanese are still making innovative games, I think that I have to blame them for making the lamest genra (in my opinion), freaking RPG's.

Blame Gary Gygax, not Japan.

GunstarHero · Apr 30, 2004

Atari was the premier American video game company....and I think that the game crash, and the subsequent failure of the Atari Jaguar really dealt blows to American abilities, or risk taking. What I mean is, I think a black mark on our premier company is a black mark on the whole market...that certainly affects other companies decisions on what games to make. We tended to stick with the safe route and produce stupid sports titles.

American gaming was gold back in the day with the Atari 5200 though....ahh the good ole days.

tsukaesugi · Apr 30, 2004

Buro Destruct said:
Blame Gary Gygax, not Japan.

BLASPHEMY!

Non-believer, I cast my Lvl 4 Shocking Grasp at you!

Make thy saving throw!

Diavle18 · Apr 30, 2004

Well they did give it a shot with the Mark of Kri (amazing game) but it ended up selling like shit so...

Electroman · Apr 30, 2004

I think that its tough for an average American videogame studio to create a game for a country with the most diverse group of people in the world. There are more ethnic groups, religions, and political views in this country than any other. Plus we have 270 million people over a very large continent.

Japan is what, mostly Japanese people, who are mostly Buddah, and generally are squished all on one island. They have traditionally embraced changes in technology, and unlike America, aren't afraid of being geeky.

Hell i'm just saying what other people may be thinking, but mean no disrespect for anybody here, just obeserving.

Plus in America, movies and sports are viewed as "much cooler" than videogames. There are plenty of people around here that still won't ever admit to liking videogames until they got to know you.

ClassicMode1985 · Apr 30, 2004

jethrek, whatcha talkin about NES for?!

Yet I agree, the industry now is sad...producing one stinker after another...while we (Children of the 80's) had it so much better.

Yet, I've done this study before, and I'll prove it again...

Simply walk into your local game store as of now...look at the selection, pick 5 games you like from each system...and then look at the rest you did not choose...I rest my case

Kid Aphex · Apr 30, 2004

Well, I know it all comes down to taste but...

We've made:

Eternal Darkness
Metroid Prime
Halo
Halo2

And christ----what else do you want on a resume?

Syxx573 · Apr 30, 2004

Is Bioware a US group? I know they are out of business now but Baldur's Gate is one of my favorite games ever. I just bought Knights of the Old Repblic and played it for 6 hours straight last night. I don't think I can say that about any game EVER. So anyway, those are 2 to add to the 'good' list.

Also, in most cases the graphics for U.S. games aren't better then Japanese games.

Lets Gekiga In · Apr 30, 2004

What about Zipper Interactive?

I mean they did develop Crimson Skies (PC) and SOCOM for PS2, so they can't be that bad of a company. And definitely rock for being an American one.

Lagduf · Apr 30, 2004

Whatever happened to Shiny? Earthworm jim was a great American-Made game, although it did come out what, 10 or so years ago? (hard to believe it now)

While i agree the Japanese are simply better, the Americans aren't so bad. We can make good games and we have. Quite a few titles/developers have been listed. I think we excell at making PC games but, meh, i still prefer console games over a pc one anyday.

I'll agree with Verbatum and Buro that perhaps the Japanese do see games as a form of artistic expression more so then US developers. Although i'd love to see a game as beautiful as ICO come from an American developer just to prove we can do it.

But in the end i don't care who makes the games as long as they're good.

Edit: And lets not forget the Japanese can make some horrid games: MGS2 anyone?

kaos · Apr 30, 2004

now let's cut the shit out!!

americans have definately lost their touch and ideas

you know I'm not into the usual and lame Euro-US war
but It's a damn fact
and I'm italian so I don't give basically a shit about if Brits are good or not

japaneses are ruling for money disponibility and especially for new ideas
some europeans(british) are the only one who can challenge'em

do you want some names? :

Hideo Kojima (jap)
Kenji Inafune (jap)
Yuji Hori (jap)
Hironobu Sakaguchi (jap)
Shigeru Myiamoto (jap)

Peter Moulineaux (UK)
Sid Meier (UK)
Jeff Minter (UK)
Geoff Crammond (UK)
David Braben (UK)

honestily I fail to think about any american that could compete for genialty and tech skills, with those people

anyway why caring about this?
you became the first market for strategic importance
and every softhouse around the world nowaday target its projects especially for the US nerds
I mean...if we got FFX with its real-dimensioned carachters It's just for you fekkers

so put your national pride away and enjoy the goddamned games
bye :mr_t:

Lagduf · Apr 30, 2004

DAVE PERRY: EWJ FOR LIFE :buttrock:

RAINBOW PONY · Apr 30, 2004

i think there are a lot of innovative american publishers, bungie, rare (ok UK), ID Software, epic games, bioware (usa?), most of the time it's with PC games, but still....

son_of_bael · Apr 30, 2004

Bioware are Canadian.

oh, and add to the list of great japanese designers:
Tetsuya Mizuguchi
Kenji Eno
Yu Suzuki

Zeekade Zarathos · Apr 30, 2004

We've made Half-Life, the best game of the last seven years.

The end.

PleaseKillMeNow · Apr 30, 2004

Two words.

Shaq-Fu.

Better than ANYTHING Japanese. Period.

JHendrix · Apr 30, 2004

Screw you guys, the US PWNZ.

id
Epic Megagames
Blizzard
Microsoft
EA

I don't care if you don't like PC games, they're still awesome. And yes, just like you guys can appreciate the differences between SS, Last Blade, and Ninja Masters so can people who enjoy FPS games appreciate the differences between Quake 3, UT2k4, Raven Shield, Deus EX, and Far Cry.

Plus there's stuff like StarCraft, WarCraft, Diablo, Baulders Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Knights of the Old Republic, Command and Conquer, etc.

So yar, we rock, it's just that our games are mostly different from the ones in Japan.

PS. Those Euro's are pretty damn good too. GG Codemasters w/ Operation Flashpoint.

GunstarHero · Apr 30, 2004

It's certainly fair to point out that the U.S. has one of the best, and possibly the most influential video game of all time...DOOM

DOOM FUCKING PWNS YUO ALL!!!

20 years after the NEs, we still suck at making games

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