The Cargo Cult of Game Mechanics (Destiny)

by Cody Miller , Music of the Spheres - Never Forgot, Thursday, January 15, 2015, 15:58 (3401 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.

Let's play it your way. If you're saying that we can ignore the perceived value of art from the past than by proxy we can ignore your perceived value of Deus Ex and other past games too. Are we getting anywhere or would you rather run in circles?

Yes fine ignore that and judge it on its strength as a game. It is one of the best, if not the best ever created. This won't change regardless of how loved or hated it is, or how much of a status icon it becomes or doesn't become. That will only change if greater games are made now.

I am sure cave paintings were magnificent when they were created, but today we see them for what they are: crude and lacking in skill. That's not the artist's fault, but simply the fact that technique has been refined and taught over 1000s of years. Today's paintings had BETTER be better!

So despite the fact that games SHOULD be getting significantly better, many aren't. And the "indie" movement is partly to blame. FTL included. Because these games are actually anti-progress.