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On the one hand: I do believe that if a game is basically a movie (a cinematic game), then a let's play of it can kill interest in playing (basically just seein

On the one hand: I do believe that if a game is basically a movie (a cinematic game), then a let's play of it can kill interest in playing (basically just seeing) it. On the other, I have this feeling that let's plays are starting to assert themselves as a strong market force. I've already seen games specifically made to target let's players as a way to reach their fans. Let's plays may just simply be a new reality of the market. Even if you assume policy ends up entirely in favor of cinematic games, without the ability to take advantage of the "let's play pulpit" then cinematic games are going to find themselves very disadvantaged. I think we're starting to see the effects of this, games that try to sell themselves on their narrative, which simply end up taking the player through a series of corridors and cutscenes, are losing. Games that sell themselves on their gameplay and build narratives around the player are winning. Not very nice to That Dragon, Cancer. I know. Sorry guys!

izacus 11y ago
>I think we're starting to see the effects of this, games that try to sell themselves on their narrative, which simply end up taking the player through a series of corridors and cutscenes, are losing. Games that sell themselves on their gameplay and build narratives around the player are winning. And that's exactly the problem - it creates a monoculture of genres even though those "losing" genres are still popular enough to be at least watched.
- GhotiFish 11y ago
  I disagree, I think this space you called a monoculture is incredibly diverse, and will continue to be incredibly diverse. Cinematic games are relatively recent territory, not established aspects of the gaming market. If the only limiting factor for games is that they'd have to look entertaining to people after someone has seen them play it, then I think you could look forward to some extreme diversity.

izacus 11y ago

>I think we're starting to see the effects of this, games that try to sell themselves on their narrative, which simply end up taking the player through a series of corridors and cutscenes, are losing. Games that sell themselves on their gameplay and build narratives around the player are winning. And that's exactly the problem - it creates a monoculture of genres even though those "losing" genres are still popular enough to be at least watched.

GhotiFish 11y ago
I disagree, I think this space you called a monoculture is incredibly diverse, and will continue to be incredibly diverse. Cinematic games are relatively recent territory, not established aspects of the gaming market. If the only limiting factor for games is that they'd have to look entertaining to people after someone has seen them play it, then I think you could look forward to some extreme diversity.