What games are people into these days??
BE EVANS-PRITCHARD
ame on one disk? Any comments would be very much appreciated - either via e-mail or over the net.
Thanks in advance,
Blake
RICHARD ABBOTT
>I am seriously thinking about writing a game for the IBM. The only problem,
>is that I don't have all that much hardware at my disposal. Oh, for the days
>of the good old Spectrum and C64 when knocking up a program required only one
>person's effort! What I'd quite like to know is, does anyone ever buy
>relatively unsophisticated games for their P.C. or is it simply top-of-the
>range high-graphics multi-media software that people enjoy. Or, put another
>net.
>Thanks in advance,
> Blake
Speaking for myself, the bets way to market such unsphisticated games would
seem to be the shareware method. With the last year I have registered for
three games that I really liked, but the warning is to ensure that the game
you produce is good otherwise no-one will register. What I would like to see
is a straight forward strategy game with competant AI (As I have a lack of
loacl human opponenets) graphics could be as simple as ASCII (Nethack and the
original Empire are still enjoyable despite a lack of graphical
sophistication).
My general view on games is that the graphics should add to the game , and not
as some of the CDROM products seem to be heading the driving force. Look at
RRT compared to RRT deluxe. Same game but by adding the whizz bang graphics
the game slowed incedibley and lost its appeal.
Richard Abbott
RJAb...@its.dundee.ac.uk
Three Laws of Thermodynamics (paraphrased):
First Law: You can't get anything without working for it.
Second Law: The most you can accomplish by work is to break even.
Third Law: You can't break even.
Thomas Neil Franklin
that people are still paying good money for at Egghead ect.
Graphics are FAR less important to people than the gameplay.
Graphics may sell some games upon release, but it's good
gameplay and word of mouth that makes a hit. Look at MOO, CIV
ect. as examples. And those graphically intensive games that
were hits all have good gameplay as well. I say if you have a
good idea then go for it (And if you can make it multiplayer
then really go for it!)
--
Tom Franklin
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Internet: tn...@Virginia.edu
Ted Li-Te Chen
: I am seriously thinking about writing a game for the IBM. The only problem, is that I don't have all that much hardware at my disposal. Oh, for the days of the good old Spectrum and C64 when knocking up a program required only one person's effort! What
: Thanks in advance,
: Blake
Well, as someone said earlier, most people go for big, slow, graphically
intensive games nowadays. However, this doesn't mean you should try to
make a game that takes 10 disks. Its quality not quantity that counts.
Unfortunately, most commercial game programmers don't have a grasp of
this concept yet. Anyways, the main thing that you should have is a
really good user interface. There's even a thread about that on this
group. If the gameplay itself is good, I think it should do quite well
(considering your target audience is the shareware group, ie: us).
If you do happen to use more than one disk, please include a good
installation program. Most people aren't as adroit with computers as
others.
--
Ted Chen
tedl...@unixg.ubc.ca
ted....@deepcove.com
Nat Pryce
>
> In article <D2nE1...@aston.ac.uk>,
> BE EVANS-PRITCHARD <evan...@aston.ac.uk> wrote:
> >I am seriously thinking about writing a game for the IBM. The only
> >problem, is that I don't have all that much hardware at my disposal.
> >Oh, for the days of the good old Spectrum and C64 when knocking up
> >a program required only one person's effort! What I'd quite like to
> >know is, does anyone ever buy relatively unsophisticated games for
> >their P.C. or is it simply top-of-the range high-graphics multi-media
> >software that people enjoy. Or, put another way, when was the last
>
>
> a game now unless it's distributed on CD (for convience mainly), and
> really demand high performance graphics. Who wants to buy a Model T
> when you can get a Corvette (substitue your favorite here)?
I agree - let's face it, the way to measure how sophisticated a game
is is how fast the graphics goes and whether it comes on a CD or
on at least 10 disks. Anything less than that and I'll chuck it in
the bin, even if I've bought it myself. I'd much rather have fast
graphics and pretty pictures than any actual content to the game! :-)
But seriously, I think the game market is split into two main areas:
games to play at home and games to play at work. The former market
area values pretty pictures and nice sound above anything and games
in this area are expensive to produce. (I'm being a little cynical
here - games to play at home can be very absorbing, and exciting for
more than the first 20 minutes of play. However, there's an
incredible amount of crap on the market).
The latter market is more flexible. If you want a game to play at
work, it shouldn't be too absorbing or require too much time to
play properly. Most people will just play it while waiting for
a document to print, during lunch breaks or at coffee time. It also
shouldn't be very large - the more space it takes up, the more likely
it is to get deleted or to be noticed by the sysadmins. Puzzle
games such as Tetris are good examples of this type of game.
Another thing to take into account is that most office computers
are on a network so making a distributed game is a good selling
point. Look how well DOOM took off, for instance.
So, in conclusion, I'd say there is a market for small, one-disk
games, as long as you aim your game at the right market.
Cheers,
Nat.
Bonczkowski
: In article <D2nE1...@aston.ac.uk>,
: BE EVANS-PRITCHARD <evan...@aston.ac.uk> wrote:
: >
: Well, I'm definitely into sophisticated games. I just about won't buy
: a game now unless it's distributed on CD (for convience mainly), and
: really demand high performance graphics. Who wants to buy a Model T
: when you can get a Corvette (substitue your favorite here)?
But you gotta remember, not all of us _NEED_ those graphics. If the game
is laid out nicely, and the plot is good, alot of people will try it
out. Especially if you make the game shareware. The name just slipped
out of my memory, but last year about this time, there was a game
being distributed by someone at netcom (I think) that did not have
great graphics, but there were at least 5 posts a day about it.
Still can't remember the name but it was an old Ultima style game.
Ahh, Exselsior (sp?) was the name.
Josh
--
Bonczkowski, Joshua
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!ccastbo
Internet: cca...@prism.gatech.edu
Mark Ross
>In article <D2nE1...@aston.ac.uk>,
>BE EVANS-PRITCHARD <evan...@aston.ac.uk> wrote:
>a game now unless it's distributed on CD (for convience mainly), and
>really demand high performance graphics. Who wants to buy a Model T
>when you can get a Corvette (substitue your favorite here)?
>
>relevant. After all, Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 comes on only 2
>floppies, and it's quite sophisticated.
>
>Marty Backe
I disagree. I am a big fan of smaller shareware-type games. Graphics come
second to gameplay. Just getting a CD filled with tons of those little games
can sometimes provide more enjoyment than buying a new commercial game
(ie. Delta V, etc).
Have a good one,
Mark
mr...@interlog.com
Richard Hendricks
>In article <D2nE1...@aston.ac.uk>,
>BE EVANS-PRITCHARD <evan...@aston.ac.uk> wrote:
>Well, I'm definitely into sophisticated games. I just about won't buy
>a game now unless it's distributed on CD (for convience mainly), and
>really demand high performance graphics. Who wants to buy a Model T
>when you can get a Corvette (substitue your favorite here)?
>Your last question regarding 1 disk games probably isn't
>relevant. After all, Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 comes on only 2
>floppies, and it's quite sophisticated.
>Marty Backe
VGA Planets. Comes on one disk. Shareware is free, and playable.
Registered is $15. Best investment I ever made. Pretty decent
graphics, more of a multi-player than a single person vs computer
game. Utils availible through the internet. (Try reading
alt.games.vgaplanets for more info)
--
Richard Hendricks, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
"I'm an engineer, but that's ok, I work all night and sleep all day!"
Computer Engineering, KSU Consultant
hen...@ksu.ksu.edu
Ronald Trang
of good quality. It's the designers fault! The programmers just
program. So please don't think the programmers don't have a
grasp of the concept. I think they are very aware of it, but
they aren't the real makers of the game. The just "do as the
designers says".
Carlton Comp. High School
: ba...@aero.org (Martin G. Backe) writes:
: >In article <D2nE1...@aston.ac.uk>,
: >BE EVANS-PRITCHARD <evan...@aston.ac.uk> wrote:
: >>I am seriously thinking about writing a game for the IBM. The only problem, is that I don't have all that much hardware at my disposal. Oh, for the days of the good old Spectrum and C64 when knocking up a program required only one person's effort! Wha
t I'd quite like to know is, does anyone ever buy relatively unsophisticated games for their P.C. or is it simply top-of-the range high-graphics multi-media software that people enjoy. Or, put another way, when was the last time anybody how there purchase
d a
: >g
: >>
: >>ame on one disk? Any comments would be very much appreciated - either via e-mail or over the net.
: >>
: >>Thanks in advance,
: >>
: >> Blake
: >>
: >Well, I'm definitely into sophisticated games. I just about won't buy
: >a game now unless it's distributed on CD (for convience mainly), and
: >really demand high performance graphics. Who wants to buy a Model T
: >when you can get a Corvette (substitue your favorite here)?
: >Your last question regarding 1 disk games probably isn't
: >relevant. After all, Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 comes on only 2
: >floppies, and it's quite sophisticated.
: >Marty Backe
: VGA Planets. Comes on one disk. Shareware is free, and playable.
: Registered is $15. Best investment I ever made. Pretty decent
: graphics, more of a multi-player than a single person vs computer
: game. Utils availible through the internet. (Try reading
: alt.games.vgaplanets for more info)
I agree VGA-Planets is a very good game!
Graeme Dice car...@crocus.sasknet.sk.ca
Jeff Land
--
<This space intentionally left blank.>
David Liska
Normandy (by Discovery)
Under a Killing Moon
Return to Zork
Other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!
Nat Pryce
>
> I don't think it's the "programmers" fault for a game not being
> of good quality. It's the designers fault! The programmers just
> program. So please don't think the programmers don't have a
> grasp of the concept. I think they are very aware of it, but
> designers says".
I think that sums up at least some of the problems with the games
being produced nowadays: the people who design games don't know
anything about computers and the people who program games aren't
allowed any creative input. That's why the concept of "pushing
the hardware to the limit" is taken as merely having faster
graphics.
I remember seeing a TV program about the creation of a new game.
The game designer was being interviewed, and his approach was
basically to design graphics for a platform game. There was
no exploration of possible game styles or new ideas - it was
a computer game, therefore it was a platform game therefore
he had to design some sprites.
mtz...@vaxb.nott.ac.uk
game, but it is their responsibility to come up with a *playable*
game, not something like Doom on a C64.
>[snip] it was
>a computer game, therefore it was a platform game therefore
>he had to design some sprites.
I forgot the super-duper-hyper-acid-bottom-spanking-allnew-80pounds-
complete ripoff-pointless-I've won with all the 174,048,234 characters
twice with a double flawless against Garrow the incontinent- street fighter
2. [Pause for breath]
Oli.
a.k.a. Purple Vicar
-I accept no responsibility for the actions of animated copses
(Yes I meant copses)
Adam Williamson
car...@crocus.sasknet.sk.ca "Carlton Comp. High School" writes:
<three page article deleted>
>
> : VGA Planets. Comes on one disk. Shareware is free, and playable.
> : Registered is $15. Best investment I ever made. Pretty decent
> : graphics, more of a multi-player than a single person vs computer
> : game. Utils availible through the internet. (Try reading
> : alt.games.vgaplanets for more info)
> I agree VGA-Planets is a very good game!
>
> Graeme Dice car...@crocus.sasknet.sk.ca
>
>
Learn to quote selectively. I did, and look at me now! Millions of friends
overnight! That's what "quote-carefully" can do for YOU!
--
---
_________________________________________
|Adam Williamson |Maintainer of the |
|ad...@scss.demon.co.uk|Wolfenstein 3D FAQ,|
|"The views expressed |and total computer |
|here do not represent|nut. "Computers |
|those of my pet |forever! Pass me |
|lemming." |those pills! |
|_____________________|___________________|
David Liska
Kings Quest VI:
Thanks!
Dave
Dli...@ix.netcom.com
salem
babble. Some of us think that they say, "And your memos are never good."
The big guys, the cyborg warriors, seem to say, "Does it look as though
you've had me?"
Anyone else?
salem
Go for the gold. System Shock CD is chillingly cool.
David Crisler
>
>Some friends and I were debating what the cyborg mutants says when they
>babble.
Sounds to me like "You meddle with the Network..."
Ryan Drake
>From: tn...@galen.med.Virginia.EDU (Thomas Neil Franklin)
>Subject: Re: What games are people into these days??
>Date: Thu, 19 Jan 1995 18:19:16 GMT
>Didn't Command HQ come on only 1 disk? This is a classic game
[SNIP!]
Hey, are we all forgetting SCORCH??! This was IMHO one of the most
entertaining PC games ever! It is still the only game i have that'll get my
dorm room rowdy after a few rounds of a 10-player game!
Tyler
>Hey, are we all forgetting SCORCH??! This was IMHO one of the most
>entertaining PC games ever! It is still the only game i have that'll get my
>dorm room rowdy after a few rounds of a 10-player game!
I love scorch! But do you know if there is a multip PC version?
(ie: NET or Modem)
-- Tyler ty...@wordperfect.com
James 'Emul' Sharman
But then again why put a complex game on one disk? you can put it on 10
or a cd-rom with a whole load of renderd animations and stuff and for
some reason people take it alot more seriously than 'smaller' games.
James,
On 20 Jan 1995, Martin G. Backe wrote:
> Your last question regarding 1 disk games probably isn't
> relevant. After all, Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 comes on only 2
> floppies, and it's quite sophisticated.
>
> Marty Backe
>
>
--[James E. Sharman]----------------------------------------------------------
Beavis: Wouldnt it be like cool if people on newsgroups just 68 Renny Road
like talked total hu- rubish, Fraton
Butthead: Cool, huh h h huh and like flamed people who said Portsmouth
something intelegent because like their to stupid PO1 5BA
to understand. . hey it is like that - shutup Beavis! England
Beavis: Huh h h hu - Fartnocker! sis...@sis.port.ac.uk
-------------------------------------------------[sis...@sis.port.ac.uk]-----
Jim Wilson
Sounds like they say "You'll never be anything...?"
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* When the bandwidth narrows, the message becomes more focused... *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert von Bismarck
(LARRY SMITH) wrote:
> To : ALL From : dav...@ix.netcom.com
> DC>>Some friends and I were debating what the cyborg mutants says when they
> DC>>babble.
> DC>Sounds to me like "You meddle with the Network..."
>
> Sounds to me like " You memo with the nemo."
>
To me it sounds like "New memo, new memo"...
anyway, why do those cyborgs say anaything at all ? so that we can find 'em
faster and blow 'em to bits ? I thought SHODAN was smarter than that ! ;-)
Robert
--
Robert von Bismarck
VONBI...@uliis.unil.ch
Dave Wilson
Dave Wilson
You can also send mail to this address: dwi...@page1.com
Mark Spears
: I hear, "You're metal to metal." But meddle works...
Hmmm... I haven't really paid attention to this, but you're right, it DOES
sound sort of like "metal to metal". There's also a distinctive "Is there
anybody out there" in the background from time to time.
--
Marcus Spears Phone: (903) 886-5419
Data Processing Services Fax: (903) 886-5415
East Texas State University Bitnet: MSP...@ETSUADMN.BITNET
Commerce, Texas 75429 Internet: MSP...@ETSUADMN.ETSU.EDU
peter sobol
Michael McCarthy
>Elite 2:Frontier came on 1 disk. (Well actually there were 2 but the second one
>is never used :) )
>But I think the new version is about 4-6 disks...
Is or will be ?
Michael.
JIM LYNCH
RD> Hey, are we all forgetting SCORCH??! This was IMHO one of the most
RD> entertaining PC games ever! It is still the only game i have
RD> that'll get my dorm room rowdy after a few rounds of a 10-player
RD> game!
At work four of us have been playing every day at lunch for over a year.
We get rowdy, too. There's always some new new to be discovered. It
takes a full hour to complete a 5 round game. We start with $250,000,
and prohibit guidance (too easy) and death-heads. One guy likes to throw
tons of dirt on opponents. We found that, even without a dirt clearing
device, you can get free by driving out; sometime you have to spin your
turret to clear the way - like spin, drive a few pixels, spin, drive,
etc.
* RM 1.3 02710 * jim....@moondog.com // CIS:71210,2354
Frank Bruno
"You're meddlesome, meddlesome"
As in starting a lot of trouble for Shodan :)
-Frank
Robert Barrett
there, Of Course we use sound cards and stero amps with car speakers in
an arcade like chair.
David Schenet
: I always seemed to hear:
: "You're meddlesome, meddlesome"
: As in starting a lot of trouble for Shodan :)
I thought they were saying "Yo' mama, yo' mama"?
--Dave
Jason G Fourier
Shock CD cyborg .. by David Sch...@clark.net
It always came across to me as "Yo memo man, memo man...."
Actually, I think it's just supposed to be jibberish.
-Jason Fourier
Dave Wilson
Dave Wilson
steve Ikin
I heard, "You meddle the devil meant" !!! I am possessed?
Steve.