Oh great Conversatron I beseech you for an answer to the question of the ages. In the "good olde days", computer games were based around plot generated by the player. For example, in X-Com you had a wide range of things to research, and you could pick any place in the entire world to set up your base. In the original MechWarrior, you built your own set of Battlemechs through hard work. You negotiated your own contracts, and decided where you would go. These games relyed upon the Players own smarts on how to beat the game. With games today, you just follow along with the script, and you beat the game. How do we change the computer gaming industry so it goes back to its roots?
Responses:
Hsu and Chan Tanaka, Game Designers
You think people want to think when they play video games? Fool! Ha-ha!
Hsu and Chan Tanaka, Game Designers
Ahem. Seriously, though, this is mainly a problem with the advancing technology that allows, nay, insists on there being voice and video in the game. The more open-ended the game, the harder it is to get enough half-assed voice acting by 80's movie reject actors to fufill all situations.
Hsu and Chan Tanaka, Game Designers
Quite. As voice and rendering technology improve, this will likely no longer be a limitation. However, you can also avoid this problem with massive multiplayer online games, where the cheesy dialog is actually other players! Several games are in development even as we speak!
Hsu and Chan Tanaka, Game Designers
For example, watch for our new MMOG, "Online HighSchool!" Live out your teenage years again, in our fully immersive environment. You'll be able to choose to join any number of factions, such as "valley girl," "cheerleader/jock," "cool kid," or "rebel loner."
Hsu and Chan Tanaka, Game Designers
Yes, you can choose to join any of those. Of course, we'll only actually let you join "nerdy loser," "audiovisual geek," or "social outcast!"
