The Cargo Cult of Game Mechanics (Destiny)

by Cody Miller , Music of the Spheres - Never Forgot, Thursday, January 15, 2015, 15:46 (3402 days ago) @ iconicbanana

(the original article that started this discussion actually argued somewhat convincingly that the limitations of older tech were actually good for game design, not bad) but I suppose that's a point of view you could take if you are really blown away by things like good volumetric lighting.

Deus Ex is a monster of a game, unequalled to this day. But it had bad graphics even at the time. Bad AI. No convincing lip sync, etc. Can you imagine if the game was as it was, but those limitations lifted? It'd be better. It'd be more immersive.

Saying limitations improve game design is like saying that if you only have one color you'd be a better painter.

Well, all of the paintings we find valuable today were painted years ago.

The world of high art is all sorts of messed up, since it more about the sign value of the work, rather than the artistic quality and mastery displayed.