The Wii's death marks the end of an era

[RLbitClassica]

So the Wii U is out now. That's not really news anymore, obviously, but it did make me come to a realization of sorts. The end of Wii means the official end of traditional gaming. Think about it for a sec. The Wii did have the whole motion control gimmick going for it, but it was, at it's heart, the last console available that provided you with old school styled gaming. It didn't have a hard drive. It didn't have a fully realized online infrastructure. There was no way to obtain DLC. There were no multimedia bells and whistles attached. The entire experience consisted of nothing but you and the games you played, no strings attached. While I would never go as far as to say that the newer, more up-to-date methods of gaming are bad, I can't help but feel somewhat depressed at watching old-school console gaming dying for good. What do you all think about this?

[Reksanden]

Now that you mentioned it..... Yeah.

[Sinue_v2]

I'm sorry, what was that you said? I was busy swapping floppy disks to load up the next area...

[Retehi]

Remember when you had to start a car, by turning a crank on the front of the engine to get it started? Man those were the good ol' days.

[Palle]

Remember when you had to start a car, by turning a crank on the front of the engine to get it started? Man those were the good ol' days.
Although, to be fair, mens' forearms in those days had both the hardness and tensile strength of a battleship's anchor chain (http://www.balettie.com/albums/16June07_USS_Missouri/Andrew_and_anchor_chains.sized.jpg).

[RLbitClassica]

Thank you all for your replies, the sarcasm is adorable. I should have known better than to try to start a legitimate conversation on a forum.

[yoshiblue]

He's right though. Even the handhelds went multimedia.

[RenzokukenZ]

It didn't have a hard drive.

It had high capacity memory sticks, which technically count.


It didn't have a fully realized online infrastructure.

But it did have one, and it was used for games like Smash Bro. Brawl and Monster Hunter Tri. The Mii-verse could count as well.


There was no way to obtain DLC.

You also couldn't get patches and updates for games, at least official ones. Which is one trait of 'old school consoles' that we can do without.


There were no multimedia bells and whistles attached

Last I checked, you could have Netflix and Hulu on the Wii. Could the Virtual Console also count? Perhaps.

It just seems that a lot of nostalgia filter was placed when making this topic. The Wii was no different than the other consoles when it came to 'multimedia' mainstreaming, it was just overshadowed by the other guys when it came to it.

Personally, the end of traditional gaming would be when discs and cartridges are rendered obsolete and everything is digital download. And from the looks of it, we're getting there.

[Sinue_v2]

Personally, the end of traditional gaming would be when discs and cartridges are rendered obsolete and everything is digital download. And from the looks of it, we're getting there.

A day I hope never comes. Digital downloads are fine, but I want a physical copy of my software. I don't like the idea of being tied to a particular service, and only having access so long as that service is still available/offered. Plus there was that whole issue with Kindle going into people's devices and deleting 1984 (of all books). Yeah, they weren't legally allowed to sell it in the first place... but still. With a physical copy, I can still at least access the software offline after clearing the cache and have the original purchase at my disposal in case the manufacturer/service decided to "alter" my purchase in a way I don't approve.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing everything go back to cartridges. Well, some form of solid state card media at any rate. Get rid of all those finicky lasers and self-destructing disk drives, allow save & DLC space on the media itself for compactness and portability, and reduce those ridiculously slow access rates. Something like what the PSvita currently has. I don't know if it's really practical at this point, but that is the direction I'd like to see them go.

[RenzokukenZ]

Something like what the PSvita currently has. I don't know if it's really practical at this point, but that is the direction I'd like to see them go.

Interesting you mention the Vita. It's predecessor, the Go, focused entirely on digital download, lacking a UMD drive, and it flopped hard. So perhaps we haven't reached that point of pure digital just yet.

[Nitro Vordex]

Considering how much storage even flash drives (www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233326) have now a days, I think I'd prefer to have physical cartridges. There's still something special about my old Genesis games. People are like "oh I have that on XBL arcade", and I can be like "I have the actual game, system and all". But yeah, op has some serious rose tinted goggles, for all the reasons listed earlier.

[NoiseHERO]

digital is convenient but there's just a special feel to hard copies. digital is kinda straight forward and takes out the magic and the feeling that... you actually got a new game. Then you know there's the whole lending to your friends and selling/trading them back to retailers that's really good for business of the developers.

I think.

[RenzokukenZ]

Developers only get money from new sales. They get nothing from used sales. That's one of the big problems some folks have with Gamestop, but its not exclusive to them.

It's also why digital downloading has become a thing, since devs and publishers get a cut every time one is sold on a service like Steam or PSN/XBLM/Virtual Console.

[NoiseHERO]

Yeah I meant like advertis- wait...

I dunno.

[RLbitClassica]

First off, what the hell? I didn't post this topic so a bunch of internet jockeys could rip me to shreds, this isn't supposed to be about me. Either way though, for most of us here, those retro consoles with the silly cartridges and no online play were what hooked us on gaming initially, and there's a reason you liked the old games. Those reasons still exist today, they haven't changed. You have. So if calling me nostalgic is what helps you sleep at night, so be it, but don't say that my gaming opinion is irrelevant because I have a fonder view of classic gaming than I do of the countless AAA rehashes you get on current systems.

[RenzokukenZ]

First off, what the hell? I didn't post this topic so a bunch of internet jockeys could rip me to shreds, this isn't supposed to be about me. Either way though, for most of us here, those retro consoles with the silly cartridges and no online play were what hooked us on gaming initially, and there's a reason you liked the old games. Those reasons still exist today, they haven't changed. You have. So if calling me nostalgic is what helps you sleep at night, so be it, but don't say that my gaming opinion is irrelevant because I have a fonder view of classic gaming than I do of the countless AAA rehashes you get on current systems.

It's kind of silly to try to connect our interest in older games being due to lack of online play or other multimedia. For some games, notably PSO, its quite the opposite. That, and most of us here were either born or were rather young when the consoles like Atari and NES started showing up, so it makes sense that we would get into those growing up.

Also, no one mentioned anything about gaming opinion or rehashes or anything like that. Only that your claim that the Wii was the last bastion of 'true' traditional gaming was false, and that, for the most part, a traditional console is one that takes physical media to work, be it disc or cartridge. Once that goes away, then you can start lighting fires.

And if you really think about it, your version of 'true' traditional gaming was gone long before the Wii, with the last bastions being the N64 and the PS1, and the nail on the coffin being the Dreamcast.

You asked what we thought, and we gave our answers.

[yoshiblue]

Considering how much storage even flash drives (www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233326) have now a days, I think I'd prefer to have physical cartridges. There's still something special about my old Genesis games. People are like "oh I have that on XBL arcade", and I can be like "I have the actual game, system and all". But yeah, op has some serious rose tinted goggles, for all the reasons listed earlier.

A benefit to that is that if it goes berzerk, its just one thing. If your hard drive/memory stick goes, there goes everything else with it.

[.Rusty.]

Dunno how you can call the Wii the last traditional console when it doesn't have a traditional controller as standard.

Considering PSN, Xbox live and steam have had security fuck ups I ain't interested in going all digital any time in the future.

[RLbitClassica]

It's kind of silly to try to connect our interest in older games being due to lack of online play or other multimedia. For some games, notably PSO, its quite the opposite. That, and most of us here were either born or were rather young when the consoles like Atari and NES started showing up, so it makes sense that we would get into those growing up.

Also, no one mentioned anything about gaming opinion or rehashes or anything like that. Only that your claim that the Wii was the last bastion of 'true' traditional gaming was false, and that, for the most part, a traditional console is one that takes physical media to work, be it disc or cartridge. Once that goes away, then you can start lighting fires.

And if you really think about it, your version of 'true' traditional gaming was gone long before the Wii, with the last bastions being the N64 and the PS1, and the nail on the coffin being the Dreamcast.

You asked what we thought, and we gave our answers.

Well maybe I should make myself more transparent. A "true" gaming system, in my humble fucking opinion, is a completely dedicated gaming system. It's not a multimedia device, it's not an external social hub. An internet connection shouldn't be necessary to fully enjoy the system. That's not a mark against online gaming, but more against the idea that console makers of today only cater to those with internet. I don't want the extra hassle of online bullshit. The half-assed games that get released with the idea that they can just release patches and DLC, the stupid online passes. I just want to buy the console, buy the games and then play the games. No muss, no fuss. I'm not some wii fan-boy. I think the console was a definite miss in gaming due to the over-abundance of shovel-ware and lack of good 3rd party titles, but in regard to classic gaming, wii DOES fall in that category. All future consoles are going to be made with extensive online integration and/or multimedia implementation. It's a fast-growing trend and I don't like it. Obviously I'm in the minority on that subject.

[RLbitClassica]

Dunno how you can call the Wii the last traditional console when it doesn't have a traditional controller as standard.

Considering PSN, Xbox live and steam have had security fuck ups I ain't interested in going all digital any time in the future.

No the controller is far from traditional, but that's not idea my post is focused on. To sum it up easily, online integration and digital distribution are my own personal taboos in regards to gaming. Even though physical media isn't dead yet, we are fast approaching the time that it will be.

[NoiseHERO]

old or new

casual or pro

sony, microsoft or nintendo

PC or console...

This or that.......

I don't get it. @_@

Why does there always have to be some complicated mindset towards what a "real" or "good" video game ANYTHING(gamer,game,console) is?

[RLbitClassica]

old or new

casual or pro

sony, microsoft or nintendo

PC or console...

This or that.......

I don't get it. @_@

Why does there always have to be some complicated mindset towards what a "real" or "good" video game ANYTHING(gamer,game,console) is?

Because they aren't the same? If you have the money and means to play every gaming platform and you enjoy it, then more power to you, but I know what I like and what I don't like. That stated, I never intended an argument to blossom from what I said. I just don't like when people tell me my opinion's wrong. It's an opinion, damn it.

[RenzokukenZ]

I just don't like when people tell me my opinion's wrong. It's an opinion, damn it.

Yet you opened it up for thoughts and some have disagreed. And there's a difference between telling an opinion is wrong based on opinion, and telling an opinion is wrong based on facts. Again, the Wii being your example is a bad choice because it also follows the multimedia mainstreaming as the other consoles of the past generation, which is the basis of your opinion. In other words, you're contradicting your own opinion.

That being said, we all seem to agree that games should remain physical in some form to provide a sense of ownership.

[Retehi]

So did you make this topic in hopes of getting some sort of standing ovation for your "keepin it old school" stance on gaming, or to throw a hissy fit when someone disagrees on it?

[SolarSamurai]

Funny how The Last Story is the /last/ Wii game I buy.

[yoshiblue]

Lets hope the Last Story will be the most epic as well.

[BogusKun]

Did you feel the same way about the Atari, TurboGrapfx, and Comm64 machines?

[Sayara]

The atari was a CLASSIC man. Dont you EVER mock that shit again.

[.Rusty.]

Now that I think about it digital distribution does have its advantages. It gives developers a chance to experiment with low budget games.

[Kyrith_Ranger_Pso]

I don't think that era's totally over. To me the PS3 was just the games I bought and me playing them. I don't think I went online more than once or twice, and that was only with Little Big Planet. For the most part I plan to do the same with the Wii U. Sure, Miiverse is there, but games link Nintendo Land are still doing there best to make us realize that multiplayer is still a ton of fun with people in the same room. In short, this doesn't have to be the end of unassisted/offline gaming, at least not yet. When the day comes that every game requires DLC or online multiplayer to be complete, that; will be a sad day.

[Sinue_v2]

A "true" gaming system, in my humble fucking opinion, is a completely dedicated gaming system. It's not a multimedia device, it's not an external social hub. An internet connection shouldn't be necessary to fully enjoy the system.

So, in your opinion, a PC could never be a "true" gaming platform? So despite all of the hardware pushes it's spearheaded, all of the great innovative franchises that started there, and all of the potential it has for user-mods and homebrew, and even the fact that it's home to entire genres of games that just aren't viable on consoles... it can never be a "true" gaming system?

And if it can, in addition to being a work/internet/social/media machine... why wouldn't that also apply to consoles?


I just want to buy the console, buy the games and then play the games. No muss, no fuss.

How is anybody, or any of the extra features, stopping you from doing this? I know plenty of people who have 360's and PS3's, but don't have internet connections. They do just fine.


I think the console was a definite miss in gaming due to the over-abundance of shovel-ware and lack of good 3rd party titles

So, it being a "true" console didn't much help the Wii when it came to quality control or getting decent games on the system? I see...


I'm going to come right out and say this, and it might end up being even less popular than what you're saying, but classic games sucked ass. That's right. It was fucking horrible. Yeah, I'm not talking about your Street Fighters, Contras, Super Mario Worlds, or any of that shit. I'm talking about the vast majority of titles that were released at the time... the mode of this particular distribution. They were largely samey platformers, racers, and shooters who's sole differentiation was a "gimmick". Sonic ran fast, K. Chameleon could change outfits, Decap threw his head, Bubsy was... annoying. And by and large they controlled like goddamned bricks. Part of the issue was that gaming as a medium was still very young - and the technology to do anything really different just wasn't there. Even the "experts" didn't really know what they were doing yet. The PC end of the spectrum had far more innovative and competent titles thanks the expanded horsepower, better input devices, not being seen by the public as a children's toy, and because developers weren't tied directly to any particular hardware manufacturers for approval to publish. But holy shit ball, the situation was even worse there due to the avalanches of shovelware so dense it would make the Wii's library blush.

And the best part of all this is... at the time, you had no idea what you were getting into when you bought a game! It was a crap-shoot at a $60~80 table every time you went into a game store. Now we can download demos, watch gameplay videos, and have access to a wealth of information on a game before we purchase. Back then, at best, you had a small selection of titles you could rent from your local video shop - though you may have had to wait a few weeks for the serendipity of fortune to have it be in stock when you visited the store. At worst, you had to rely on a short blurb from some anonymous jackass in a gaming magazine, who's goal is to sell you games and make the sponsor platform look awesome (see: bias as fuck (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising)). Yeah, you had shareware on the PC end, but shareware tended to be rather crap-centric and downloading a 3MB file over a 2400 baud dial-up modem made it... somewhat prohibitive. Especially when at any moment in your 6 hour download the phone could get disconnected and you'd have to spend the next 3 hours fighting for a free node on the BBS so you could start all over again from the beginning.

We are WAAAY better off this generation. The titles are more diverse and innovative, they're much longer (a better value for your half-a-Grant investment), and we have access to demos, metareviews, breakdowns, and wikis - on our consoles - to fully inform our purchases beforehand. Plus, when that's all done, I can relax by streaming some of the nastiest Brazilian porn to my TV. "Pure gaming" be damned... how is that not awesome (unless you're a parent)?

Look, I grew up in the time period you're talking about. I'm nostalgic as hell for those times, and I still play a TON of them on Emulators/Dos-Box. Shit, just look at my Profile title. The only way I could be more hardcore into old games is if I were the CGA Warrior. But in every objective standard, you're full of shit... and we're way better off now with our "multimedia set-top boxes" than we were with "traditional" consoles.

Also: This is just an evolution of a trend that has been going on for a long, long, long time.

[spoiler-box]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44QhaNJ_mJg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMRLZcBiN-k


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WEqIwEF0Ag


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F80eo_zrfeI

[/spoiler-box]

[Palle]

SEGA Channel Christmas was the best Christmas hands down. There was no way for my parents to top that, ever again.

[Mike]

SEGA Channel Christmas was the best Christmas hands down. There was no way for my parents to top that, ever again.

I totally wanted the Sega channel but they didn't offer the service where I was growing up.

[steamcat89]

First off, what the hell? I didn't post this topic so a bunch of internet jockeys could rip me to shreds, this isn't supposed to be about me. Either way though, for most of us here, those retro consoles with the silly cartridges and no online play were what hooked us on gaming initially, and there's a reason you liked the old games. Those reasons still exist today, they haven't changed. You have. So if calling me nostalgic is what helps you sleep at night, so be it, but don't say that my gaming opinion is irrelevant because I have a fonder view of classic gaming than I do of the countless AAA rehashes you get on current systems.

tell em like it is meow :)



Posted from Pso-world.com App for Android

[blace]

tell em like it is meow :)



Posted from Pso-world.com App for Android

No need to bump posts longer than a month old.