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Changes in Western RPGs over last 20 years
Posted on 6/23/17 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 6/23/17 at 4:48 pm
Lately, I've been replaying some of the great Western RPGs from the last 20 years including Morrowind, Oblivion, Dragon Age Origins, and Baldur's Gate 1/2. Why is it that RPGs have been moving towards simpler mechanics? For example, I love the tactical nature of Dragon Age Origins and the Infinity Engine games. Morrowind and to a lesser extent Oblivion allowed for an awesome variety of character builds. The later releases in those series just feel so shallow in comparison.
I know one explanation is that simpler games are open to more players. Do y'all have any other ideas for why RPG design has changed so?
I know one explanation is that simpler games are open to more players. Do y'all have any other ideas for why RPG design has changed so?
5
Posted on 6/23/17 at 5:05 pm to STLDawg
because Americans are stupid and lazy and want to play simple games
Posted on 6/23/17 at 5:29 pm to STLDawg
It is all about the $$$
They know if they make a great RPG, it will only appeal to RPGers and maybe some casual fans
But if they make a FPS, action game with RPG elements, then they can appeal to some RPGers but a ton of casual fans.
They know if they make a great RPG, it will only appeal to RPGers and maybe some casual fans
But if they make a FPS, action game with RPG elements, then they can appeal to some RPGers but a ton of casual fans.
Posted on 6/23/17 at 5:57 pm to STLDawg
Games aren't made for gamers anymore. They're designed with mass appeal in mind
Posted on 6/23/17 at 6:09 pm to Carson123987
quote:
Games aren't made for gamers anymore. They're designed with mass appeal in mind
Yep. Easy, no thinking, with no learning curve game play.
Signed Uncharted 4.
Posted on 6/23/17 at 8:45 pm to STLDawg
Well.. not sure I agree. The Witcher, Dragon Age, FFXIV, Fallout, Red Dead Redemption, Dark Souls, Dragons Dogma, Divinity...
Posted on 6/23/17 at 9:34 pm to bmy
quote:
Well.. not sure I agree. The Witcher, Dragon Age, FFXIV, Fallout, Red Dead Redemption, Dark Souls, Dragons Dogma, Divinity...
Fallout and Dragon Age have both gone downhill from their origins in terms of quality of story and gameplay, so their are perfect examples of what he is talking about. Much like Mass Effect.
There are exceptions like Witcher, Dark Souls, and Red Dead, but they are not typical and the trend is in the wrong direction for larger titles.
You mentioned Divinity, and I think that is an example of where things are still going fine. The kickstarter trend has helped games like Divinity OS, Wasteland 2, Pillars of Eternity, etc get made, and the old school RPG vibe is still going strong with those titles and companies.
Posted on 6/24/17 at 7:33 pm to auyushu
Chrono Trigger greatest game ever, they need to go back to basics
Posted on 6/25/17 at 10:21 am to Carson123987
quote:
Games aren't made for gamers anymore. They're designed with mass appeal in mind
Games are too expensive to be designed for such small userbases. They have to target bigger in order maintain dev team sizes.
Posted on 6/25/17 at 10:55 am to oauron
Exactly
Posted on 6/25/17 at 12:25 pm to STLDawg
The greatest RPG I've ever played is Super Mario RPG. A lot of people (me included) just do not feel like learning a billion things just to relax and play a game. Skyrim is about as deep as I will go.
Posted on 6/25/17 at 1:45 pm to Jcorye1
Skyrim and Heroes of Might and Magic... 
Posted on 6/25/17 at 3:34 pm to Carson123987
quote:
Games aren't made for gamers anymore. They're designed with mass appeal in mind
Bingo.
Game developers used to be hardcore gamers themselves and made games for other gamers.
Nowadays corporations run the entire show, every single factor that goes into a triple A title is thought in business terms alone.
Maximizing profit is the number 1 priority and often times that means watering down the game.
Posted on 6/25/17 at 10:54 pm to Carson123987
quote:
Games aren't made for gamers anymore. They're designed with mass appeal in mind
This.
The industry became huge and games are made for money and mass appeal.
Posted on 6/26/17 at 3:03 am to CBandits82
Games were always a business but the thought process of those making games used to be
"Let's make as great a game as possible, that way all the gamers will want to buy it!"
That simple philosophy has changed as the market expanded.
Less discerning customers now outnumber those who are passionate and their money is just as good.
For every one of us who are interested in deep and compelling gameplay, there are ten people who just wanna mash buttons to get to the next cut scene.
"Let's make as great a game as possible, that way all the gamers will want to buy it!"
That simple philosophy has changed as the market expanded.
Less discerning customers now outnumber those who are passionate and their money is just as good.
For every one of us who are interested in deep and compelling gameplay, there are ten people who just wanna mash buttons to get to the next cut scene.
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