Things Annoy Me
This post is not EQII related so if you only read this blog for EQII commentary, skip today's post.
Annoyance 1: According to this survey, the average game player is 30 years old. So why does the media still treat us like children? G4TV, for example, thinks that providing actual information and reviews about games and technology is not compelling viewing. Rather, they feel they need to "spice things up" with beautiful women who plainly read off cue cards, bad comedy sketches about monkey feces and tired internet memes.
Here's what I think of G4TV's lineup:
Cheat: Worst concept for a show ever. Let's say you're having trouble killing a boss in Shadow of the Colossus. Do you:
A. Hop on the internet and find a detailed walkthrough of exactly what you're trying to do in under five seconds or
B. Wait for Cheat to come on, hope that episode covers the game you're playing and then hope when they cover it they mention the portion you're stuck on.
Idiocy. The vast majority of the time you've either already played the games they're covering, making the cheats useless, or else you haven't played the games they're covering, making everything a spoiler. Kill it.
Braniac: Complete knock-off of MythBusters that's not one-tenth as good. Kill.
Fastlane: Was horrible when it was new - why would it be good it repeats? Kill.
Electric Playground: Send Tommy Tallarico off to go make music and sound effects for games and leave the on-screen work to people who aren't insanely annoying. Otherwise passable.
Cinematech: Fine.
Icons: The best show on G4TV. So what do they do? Retool it to appeal to "younger men." G4TV, I hate you so much it hurts.
Training Camp: Watching people who like to play video games try to play sports! What a great concept! Kill it.
Arena: Cheesily produced in a WWF style. Could do without it but willing to listen if people like it.
Action Blast: Never watched it.
X-Play: Game reviews are a great idea. But can we see one single review without a skit involving monkeys or zombies? Can we get game commentary without unfunny, heavy-handed shtick?
Banzai: I like this show.
Attack of the Show: This show has degenerated from marginally watchable to a complete tragedy. It's just not funny and it needs to go.
Anime Unleashed: Fine, I guess.
Star Trek & Star Trek TNG: Filler.
I'd really like to see a half-hour serious news segment on technology and gaming. I would like to see a show about independent game finds and cool websites (actually useful websites - not cats wearing Viking helmets or whatever). I'd like to see Icons retain a serious format and maybe even expand to another documentary show about scientists or technology pioneers. I'd like to see actual game reviews and previews.
I might sound like I don't have a sense of humor but I love comedy. However, when I want to watch comedy I'll go to an improv show or watch TV shows that are actually humorous. When I want to see game reviews and news I just want to see game reviews and news. I have to think that there's some market for a more mature presentation of gaming and technology.
Annoyance 2: People stating that their game is going to conquer WoW. Stop. There are no games on the horizon that are going to come to close to WoW's subscription numbers. It will happen someday, but not someday soon.
The latest are these statements by Codemaster's VP about Lord of the Rings Online. Let's be serious for a second. This is a Turbine game. And I'm sorry to beat up on Turbine because they didn't make the statements, but let's take a look at their track record:
Asheron's Call: Whether you want to call it a failure or not is up to you, but you sure can't call it a success. It was a game marred by major problems.
Asheron's Call 2: Again, whatever you may think of the game itself, it's cancelled. And let's face it, that's not a good thing.
DDO: I didn't like DDO at all, but I understand why some people do. I did like a few elements of the gameplay. I think if you don't mind forced grouping, if you have a decent group to play with, if you don't mind repeating content and if you can deal with nothing to do at max level, it might be okay. But it's not going to set the world on fire. And it's not what you hoped for from such an amazing IP. It's not really relevant but they did cut people who left the company out of the credits, which is a cheese move.
You might not agree with some of my characterizations, but I don't think anyone can argue that those games represent a stellar track record. LOTRO might be an awesome game and I truly hope it is because I plan to check it out. But in this case you have to produce before you start talking WoW. And that goes for all game companies.
Hmm...I have more things that annoy me but I'll have to continue them another time.
posted by Aggro Me at 8:00 AM
9 Comments:
I know nothing about G4TV, but enjoyed reading your post anyway.
to paraphrase the MTV pitch from so long ago....I WANT MY TECH TV!
Great post.
Don't know anything about G4 because I have not cable. I do have a computer that takes up all my time however.
As for WoW killer comments: I COMPLETELY AGREE!
I cannot begin to tell you how hard it was for me to pick up World of Warcraft when it came out. In fact, I didn't pick it up until March of 2005 because as much as I trust Blizzard's content and coding, could they REALLY make a stellar MMORPG? I was playing EQ2 at the time and felt I would have to live with what they had created. I have heard that EQ2 is a different game now, but back to the point.
I finally broke down and picked the game up. I didn't want to even. I just continued to get bombarded by people telling me what a great game it was and how easy it was to pick up and play. Rest experience? Very cool. Can do a quest in a short time to get experience? Very cool. When I installed it and started it up, I knew I was going to be playing it for some time. The intro into the game world was rich, detailed, and the Stormwind music was blasting over my speakers. That was emotionally moving.
There will be no WoW killer for a very long time. Blizzard took everything that we knew good in a MMO and put it in their game... and made it better. If Blizzard wants to keep their top spot, they are going to have to do a lot of work to keep up with other companies that have them in their sights. (Why they don't have "cinematic via in game engine" type narrations for major quests and victories blows my mind. If they can do that for the opening of the game, why not carry that over to each instance or major battle. It is possible. I want a GOOD STORY!) I'm pulling for Blizzard. Hell, I'll pull for any company that can top them because that would only raise the bar and my fun factor even higher.
Annoyance:
Someone who is a friend of a friend who is annoying as hell but you feel that you have to invite them to the guild because your friend knows them. Even worse: When that annoying friend leaves the game (rejoice!!) and then returns. Sucks being a guild leader sometimes.
KK
G4TV could have been something nice...but instead it's something I find extremely painful to watch. That's why I don't watch it
Forgot Areana!
Aggro, when are you gonna give WoW a try? You have great insights but you're not seeing the whole picture.
Just GIVE it a TRY! And make some interesting comparison articles. I think it would be a huge hit to read!
Sheesh! It's a free download.
Oh and Kittenkiller is right on the money! Couldn't agree more. I'll only add that EQ2 is definitely a different game then EQ1 is. It wasn't the "sequel" they advertised. But umm.. Warcraft is. HAHA!
I read that LOTRO is coinciding with the release of Vanguard and The Burning Crusade expansion for WoW. Interesting, eh?
But you're right, Aggro. We're talking Turbine here. No word out yet on what designers/devs they picked up or kept from AC1 or AC2, so that's gonna be a big factor as well.
i really miss when it was TechTv. now the show s--ks now.
Well, we have a classic EQ2 demented fanboy here.
Keep up your delusions of EQ2 being in anyway superior to Blizzard's offering, WoW.
EQ2 is a bug infested, horribly limited , graphically molested game. EQ2 has invisible walls that stop you leaving the tiny little area considered a 'zone'.
Did I mention zone loading times? Hello 1999!
Overall, EQ2 is a broken game. Any idiot who still plays it deserves to have SOE stealing from them.
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