I’ve been pondering about this topic for almost a week now. It stems from an interview with Philip Kollar on Geekadelphia, where he describes how he sees videogame journalism evolving from an “endless preview-review loop” and moving more into a more mature form. In some ways I agree with the message he conveys, in which we try to move from providing a cursory overview with an absolute score or grade at the end, to a more meaningful analysis of the game design, aesthetics and mechanics. This critical appraisal of videogames becomes crucial, as with the videogame industry suffering from the credit crunch as much as any other, it’s fair to assume that the average gamers will become more careful with the games they choose to buy. A detailed compare and contrast of a title feels to be the exclusive domain of print media, but even then a reader’s experience can vary depending on the magazine they’re reading. In the online space, I think there’s real potential to improve the quality of information presented to the videogame playing public. Not because I think it’ll result in fewer titles being built, but because I think it’ll give gamers the confidence they need to part with their cash and try out a title they’re not sure on.
Tabula Rasa: Neither epic, nor shiny
This whole line of thought got me thinking: are there any other benefits that a more critical analysis of games can deliver? If you compare videogames to other media in popular culture a film may get re-cut or scenes re-shot in response to feedback from critics and test audiences. A song may get remixed or re-recorded if it’s recommended by disc jockeys or doesn’t go down well at a nightclub. A book may get rewritten in parts, depending on the advice from publishers and reviewers. But how often does a videogame get redesigned based on feedback from journalists or beta testers? How often is a game tested not to make sure that it’s bug free, but that it’s fun to play? It may be somewhat wide of the mark, but from my own experience it’s a rare thing to happen. Sometimes I wonder if Tabula Rasa would have been a better game if I’d made more effort to provide detailed feedback, instead of putting trust in Richard Garriot’s in-game chat during the beta test that numerous changes would occur. As it is now, the game is being closed down next month barely a year after it started up. The same applies to Age of Conan, now suffering an exodus of players and having to close over half the servers despite problems with the game being well known early on. Although these are just two titles, it does pose the question: how many titles could have benefited from early exposure to critics in videogaming media? Would it have made a title that’s average and mediocre into something better? It’s difficult to say for certain, but there is a feeling that there should be a two-way street, and that as well as informing the public on videogames in production we should feel confident that our desires and opinions are also fed back by the media in order to help create games we’ll love. Of course, this whole topic could be neatly nullified simply by assuming that I have an overactive conscience and a desire to rescue games which, in all fairness, should be allowed to die.
Digressions aside, one of my recent topics was about the recent closure of EGM and a chunk of 1UP.COM’s online content. The 1UP Show was a great example of gamers talking about videogames with each other, exploring aspects that made each game compelling and differentiated it from others in the genre. The shows never felt like a review, instead taking on the feel of a discussion or debate amongst friends, just like the ones we all have with our own friends about the games we love. The great news is that the producers behind the show are back with their own firm – Area 5 – and a brand new show called CO-OP. The new 30 minute film is available in high quality on Youtube and Vimeo, and although the camera footage is a bit washed out in places the overall package is a tier above the already good output that was at 1UP. Whether or not you followed them before, I’d really recommend taking the time out to sit back and treat yourself to something new for half an hour. Personally I’m amazed that after what happened earlier this month, these guys are going right back to what they love – creating something we can all enjoy.