How Old is Classic Now?

(Previously posted on Diary of a pr0 gamer)

I think James was right when he said there was a lack of ideas. I also liked his idea of discussing the classification of ‘classic’ games. So without further ado, I give you a slightly swaying, but not entirely derailed, train of thought on the subject at hand:

So how old does a game have to be to be defined as classic?

The first thought that comes to mind is Last-Gen, but this is clearly crap. For a start, Last-Gen isn’t strictly over yet. PS2 sales continue to dominate the PS3 and even Sony themselves are encouraging developers to continue working on PS2 games. I, personally, would say the same of the Gamecube and Wii, given that my ‘Cube has seen more game-hours than my Wii in the last 6 months. Though most of the world seems to disagree as Wiis continue to fly off shelves at a rate that really isn’t deserved.

So fifth-generation, then? We’re looking at about 1994-2002, there. That sort of links on to a conversation with a friend earlier, who claimed not to many play games released after 2002, preferring classic games. Now, everybody’s favourite wiki just happens to have a list of games released in 2002. Now, I see a number of big titles in there: Deus Ex, Eternal Darkness, a couple of FF games, Kingdom Hearts, Metroid Prime, Soul Calibur II, Super Mario Sunshine, UT2003, Warcraft III (and that’s likely not exhaustive, so don’t whine if I missed something). I also see some weird stuff: Bikini Karate Babes? Have to check that out sometime. Austin Powers Pinball? They’ll make a game of anything, it seems.
Anyway, the issue at hand is whether Bikini Karate Babes, or more likely the titles on the first list, classify as classics. This is kinda awkward for me. I know people I’m sure would call Warcraft III and Deus Ex classics, but neither of those are in my expertise and I can’t really comment. Though the rest, I’m not sure would fall into the category of ‘classic’.

Another issue I haven’t really dealt with is what constitutes ‘classic’ and that’s not an easy one. It’s kinda like art. You can’t really define it in any sort of strict parameters, but at the same time, everyone has a general idea of what it is. Unfortunately Wikipedia is not a great deal of help, with articles on classic literature, films and music, but not games. (Now there’s a project for someone: start a wikipedia page on classic video games.) Maybe we could work with those other articles for a basis, though. In terms of films, the ‘films considered greatest ever’ by a sizeable number of people is given. In music, the music associated with ‘high culture’ is given. Much the same is said of literature. I don’t know how many people associate video games with ‘high’ culture, but I suspect it’s a minority. Games considered ‘greatest ever’ by a large number of people, though – that could work. But by that definition modern games could be classic. Would Gears of War or Bioshock fall under the heading of ‘classic’? I’m not sure they would. 10 years down the line, I’m absolutely certain that people will be saying “Bioshock, now that was a classic game”, but not now, so there’s definitely an age parameter in there. But the issue is in where it lies.

Let’s move on to 2003, which sees F-Zero GX, two more Final Fantasies, GTA Vice City, Neverwinter Nights and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Personally, I’m leaning towards calling Neverwinter Nights a classic. But a mere 4 years ago? That seems a bit recent for calling something classic.

2001, then? Black and White, GTA III, another three Final Fantasies (including 9 and 10), Halo, MGS2, Super Smash Bros. Melee (Be quiet, James and Mark). Sounds a bit more like it. I think a few of those would qualify as classic, at least by enough people to count, I’d say.

I’m not gonna go and set anything in stone, because as I already pointed out, it’s not the sort of thing you can define like that. But you can get a sort of picture from those ranges of games – and if you didn’t, look at the full lists for yourself – and I think 2001-2 seems somewhat sensible. “Games over about 6 years old and are considered great by a sizeable number of people” – a fair description of ‘classic’ games?

Icefox out.

Top 100 Initiative

I was at work earlier and thought … PC Gamer’s Top 100 was pants.

I don’t just mean “My Favourite game was dropped” – which incidentally it was – but it was really really pants.

WoW was number 1 … Starcraft and Total Annihilation omitted … I’m sorry, but how can Just Cause be better than either of those?

Simple, it can’t.

Anyway, check out this thread for more information.

Simply, you post the game and a few details – the moderators (authors listed to the right) will sift through and also rate any games they have played and ultimately some poor sap will compile it all.

Me basically.

If you’re interested in helping Score the games (the more the better I suppose) then forum PM me and we’ll see from there.

I hope everyone will help us compile a better, more accurate, Top 100 which we can then nail to the door of PCGamer.

Oh btw … We’re including ALL Games, not just PC Games.

On others news; we’re extremely innactive recently and mostly because people “can’t think of anything to write about”. Well, heres a list of topics i’d like to see written about – anyone can submit one, but obviously preferably my own authors

• Article: “How old is Classic now?”
• Article: “Are Casual Gamers lowering Developer Standards?”
• Article: “Next Gen Games – Disappointing?”
• Article: “Strategy, Dead?”
• Review: Gears of War
• Review: Bioshock (Guess a few will want this one )

There. Get to work monkehs!

Regards,
James.

Bioshock Demo Review

Fuck me!

10/10

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Second WoW Forum Ban

Heh, Another one

Bloody moderators …

Account Banned
Ban Type
Temporary

Expires
17/08/2007 10:12:15 BST

Ban Reason
Posting obscene/vulgar or inappropriate language
Use of vulgar or abusive language, even if masked by symbols or other characters, or engaging in other impermissible behaviour. I.e. objectionable content:

http://forums.wow-europe.com/forum-coc.html?sid=1

“It sounds to me like you have a serious case of L2P.
The recommended treatment is GTFO.”

Pretty Crappy really … but nm.

Hope you’re have a nice week!

JamesR

Ps. This is the thread: http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=394350530&sid=1

PCGame Top 10s

Its that time of the year again, PC Gamer released their “Top 100 PCGames of All-Time” and for the best part its ok. There are a few heinous errors though, such as the terrible ratings given to Syndicate and Warcraft 3 and the total omission of Starcraft.

Shocking I know, but of course its time for you to see my Top Ten, which is probably reletively unchanged from last year.

10) Company of Heroes (2006 – THQ) New Entry
This is the newest game on my list, and was the first strategy game in a long time to manage the balance between tactics and action so sucessfully.

9) Starcraft (1999 – Blizzard) New Entry
Omitted from PCGamers Top Ten? Fucking Disgusting. Its one of the best RTS’s ever made and is as fresh today as the day it was released. The AI is so brutally effecient, you’ve got to be on your toes.

Half Life (1997 – Valve) New Entry
I dropped the second in favour of the original simply because they’ve been taking the piss with Episode 2 Recently, and like most games on this list – They are just as fresh to play now as they were brand new.

7) Transport Tycoon Deluxe (1995 – Microprose) -2
The best game of its kind ever made, no exception. There was no feeling better than knowing you’ve built the most effecient and fully functional 20-Platform Station. I’m not sure why, but I just can’t keep away.

6) UFO: Enemy Unknown (1993 – Microprose) New Entry
The original TBS/Empire Management Sim and a Sci-fi cult hit. It was brilliantly accessible, whilst remaining so very difficult. You usually died because you were impatient, so you try and try again.

5) Wacraft 3 (2002 – Blizzard) -1
Arguably not the best RTS on this list, but its definitely my favourite. I love Fantasy, I love Blizzard and I love Warcraft. Everything about this RTS worked from the Resource management, to the Heroes.

4) System Shock 2 (1999 – EA/Looking Glass) -2
SHODAN remains one of the best Sci-fi Villains of all time and part of me wants to say “Give us a System Shock Movie”, but we all know how it would end up. If you haven’t played SS2, do so. It works on XP and still plays beautifully.

3) Deus Ex (2000 – Eidos Interactive/Ion Storm) –
Compelling Story, ingenius game design and a built in notepad. Theres not much to say about this game you don’t already know, it wasn’t necessarily a new idea (see above) but it was definitely the best, and remains the best FPS/RPG Hybrid i’ve ever played.

2) World of Warcraft (2004/current – Vivendi/Blizzard) +4
From the first time I tinkered with a trial, to the first time I downed Ragnaros this game really is a rollercoaster ride. I’ve wanted to quit … i’ve been buffed and nerfed, broken and fixed and yet even when I hate this game I can’t keep away. That is a testament purely to Blizzard’s skill as Developers.

1) Master of Magic (1993 – Microprose/Simtex) –
Well … Here again. This ancient Fantasy TBS has been my favourite game since I first installed it and not very many people undestand. Its hard to get it Emulated properly so its hard to show you … But all those wonderful mystical creatures … The variable difficulty, the tricks and little exploits … The Heroes and Hero Progression.

We didn’t get character Depth like that outside of Heavy-Duty Simulation series for years (ergo Close Combat -> Warcraft 3). You might well have had your favourite Chap in Civilization … But You didn’t have “Bruce the Mighty Forester” with his +3 to Forestry and +5 Beastmaster did you? Did You!?

Anyway, thats enough of this rambling, I just thought i’d share it with you.

I intend to get the other authors on WSAG to give me their Top 10s (PCGames only please) and i’ll compile one big post of them.

Cheers
James

Yet More Transformers

I saw the film today, and personally give it 6/10. It really just felt like a typical “America Saves The World” movie with the Transformers (who were rather bastardised) slotted into the available space. And I still say Frank Welker’s original voice should have been used for Megatron. Hugo Weaving is a fine actor, but he made Megatron just sound like a run of the mill monster baddie. Welker’s voice had character.

And why didn’t Starscream say “PATHETIC FOOLS! THERE’S NO ESCAPE!” at any point?

I’ve also done a review for the game tie-in for Xbox Elite which you can find here. I received a copy of the game free for this, which is like saying I got anthrax free in the post, except anthrax isn’t so boring.

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Transformers: The Movie

Originally posted on Nobody Reads This.

A Michael Bay Destruction.

Kek. Just kidding! I will admit now, I wasn’t huge on Tranformers as a child so I was pretty apathetic about this particular piece of Cinema. I do however carry a torch for the Preservation of Classic Media, so my expectations were pretty low.

I’ll categorise my critique to make it easier to scan through.

Script – 2/10

This was probably the single worst Blockbuster Script I’ve heard in quite some time. It’s a shame really, because they did a semi-respectably job of the casting. But a bad script can tarnish the work of even the best actor.

It was tacky, clichéd and had literally no substance. A Good two thirds of the lines could’ve been taken from any other generic title. Although due credit has to be given, because it was genuinely funny when it wanted to be. The President has one line … and he asks for a Ho-Ho.

Characters - 4/10

Referring exclusively to the Humans, we’ll come to the Transformers later. I thought the casting in places was awesome and it really showed in the characters. The Secretary of Defense (Jon Voit) was extremely well played as I’ve come to expect from him. Josh Duhamel is also a personal favourite and did very well untill some complete dickwad wrote in a retarded motorcycle slide for him.

Seriously, however did that – Get the hell away from Hollywood.

However, I must say that it pretty much ended there. Most of the characters were 2D, pointless and totally cliché rubbish! Seriously, they wasted so much precious time building up “Sam” and his tart and completely neglected almost all of the Transformers. Wtb Time Management.

Tranformers – 6/10

Well, I’ll just get it out of the way and say I don’t like the new updates they gave them. The Flame Stickers … the Tarty Poser Cars … It was a complete wreck. But they were very much the Transformers we knew and were pretty epic when it counted.

The problem is … For the first hour or so, we only saw one Autobot and One decepticon. They weren’t even Optimus and Megatron … And even when we met the rest of the Autobots, their time on screen was reduced to silly plot motion and just driving around.

The Decepticons were even worse! Besides the first one, we didn’t see the others untill really late into the movie. There was no background for any of them … No explanation of how and why they ended up on Earth fine when Megatron didn’t

They were just faceless automatons apparently with a Grudge against us. Fair ’nuff.

One other little annoyance … The Little Infiltrator Robots;
- They made stupid sounds
- They were apparently invisible, because nobody ever seemed to spot them when they were 1yd away making all that noise and flashing their lights. Completely. Retarded.

Oh and one footnote, the changes Bay made turning them into MTV Friendly Pimpmobiles made them all look identical in Humanoid mode. When two robots got into grapples, they just became a mesh of metal rather than two fighting robots.

Special FX – 7/10

Decent enough, we can’t blame the Design crew for the horrible stuff they had to work with, but I couldn’t help but feel that it was a bit scrappy in places.

Their Pyrotechnics was considerably better, and I nearly wet myself when the A-10 strike came in with the Spectre Gunship following. That scene alone is worth 5/10 >_>

Summary

Anywho, I don’t have alot more to say than that. It was a decent enough movie, entertaining in its own way – But a Complete bastardisation of Transformers.

Sure, some scenes were just epic fighting – but most were complete drivel – and often entirely irrelevant.

An average of the above scores only gives about … 4~/10 but I feel its worth more than that because it was quite alot of fun to watch.

Score: 7/10

Fun, but that seems to be all Michael Bay is good for. Some things are best left untouched.