Why The Microsoft Xbox One Reveal Conference Represents Everything That Is Wrong With The Gaming Industry Right Now!
First a disclaimer, I don't think anything is wrong with the console. This isn't a slight about the Xbox One, it's not even a slight at Microsoft. It's an observation on the state of the industry as whole right now, and the impact on game enthusiasts and hobbyists like myself.
There's something wrong with gaming. We all felt it last gen, and we're about to feel it even more so with this gen. I have been searching for what exactly 'it' is, the it that is making us jaded with gaming. I couldn't put my finger on it. It wasn't a lack of games, there's a ton of games out there (as my Steam spending sprees show), it's not a lack of good games either, there's plenty of amazing games this gen, enough to hold over even the most hardcore of gamers. It's not a lack of hype, E3 is still amazing, I still get excited about video game conferences and announcements. I could never figure out what it was, until now I had just chocked it up to being my age. I figured by 23 I may have not outgrown video games, but I felt that the magic that was there when I was younger was just gone. Well it's not me, it's them.
Them being the industry as a whole of course. The problem is it seems like the only thing publishers and the console makers are after, is money. Now here's where I know you as a reader are thinking or possibly screaming, well Mr.Internet Man, isn't the purpose of developing games and the industry to make money? That's exactly the mentality that is diluting gaming. ONE of the purposes of creating games is to make money, however it is not the only reason, and not even the main reason for it. It is the main goal for the publishers who at this point have far too much control.
Creating games is primarily about entertaining, about making something fun. It's about giving gamers and new adventure to go on and to get excited about. It's about taking your imagination and making it tangible. Making money is secondary to the fun. Give a developer an unlimited budget and watch them push out something amazing that at the very least is something they envisioned and wanted to see. The market used to be smaller, it used to less diluted, it used to be less saturated. It was easier for developers like Crytek or Bioware and plenty others to make it in the industry without being backed by a major publisher. It was so much easier for an unknown to make a splash.
The problem is now the only route left is the indie route and even that is starting to become so crowded. At the very least though there's no worry about some publisher and share holders dictating what can or cannot be in the game, or the deadline for it. Now we've arrived at the heart of the problem. The publishers and game console companies. For them the primary reason for gaming IS to make money. They take the developers dream, back them with money and resources to complete their dream, and then alter their dream in the sake of protecting their investment.
Publishers are responsible for things like intrusive DRM, on disk DLC, and online passes. They are responsible for pushing developers to meet unreasonable deadlines and at times with holding funds without sacrifice. All in the pursuit of making more money. God forbid the developers game is a hit, then they'll take it, shine it up, and release it year after year in the same package claiming it as new.
You're probably wondering by now where today's Xbox reveal comes in and how it's a representation of what's wrong. Here it is, watch the reveal again. Every time they mention something that has nothing to do with gaming, take a shot, I'll wait. If you made it back here alive somehow it's a miracle or your liver is clinging on for dear life. The focus was on all the Xbox One's capabilities besides gaming. Yes a few games were mentioned, but the primary focus was not on gaming.
Some people may seem nothing wrong with it and in all honesty there is nothing wrong with it, if it weren't for the fact that this is supposed to be a GAMES console. The primary focus is gaming but you would never know that by this presentation. The problem is the focus is no longer on the core gamer. The focus is now on gathering as big an audience as possible for the sake of a profit.
Games are no longer designed as purely entertainment, but as a tool to make money. Publishers force developers to add multiplayer to increase the longevity and appeal of a game. They force DRM to stop piracy. The problem is that all of their ideas to increase profits or save profits are unnecessary. Games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R and The Witcher, and even Crysis have shown that none of these are needed to sell millions of copies.
Rounding back to the Xbox Reveal. It again goes to show that the focus of the gaming industry is no longer on games. This focus on so called 'value' is diluting the quality of games as a whole. We could be seeing so much better without this misdirection. It would be nice to see publishers put games first and pure profit second. Even to sell a console, there's no point in pandering to the mainstream and non-gaming demographic.
The people who are buying the Xbox One for the features like the TV function or the integration with the NFL aren't going to be the ones who are running out and buying it day one or even week or month one. The gamers will be, so why are the gamers pushed aside? The others will be drawn in later on, especially after a price drop.
Pander to the gamers the ones who will stand in line in the cold for hours for the chance of getting their hands on the system. They're the ones that will carry you on sales. All the features should be presented as extras, not as a main part of a gaming system.
Let me conclude by pointing out that yes I am aware they will show more games during E3. This is besides the point. The point is games should have been the primary focus. They should have directed the reveal of a gaming console at gamers and not at the widest demographic possible. Again I'm not knocking the Xbox One, it looks great, all those features are great and fantastic extras that add terrific value. I'm sure there will be great games. I'm just saddened by the lack of caring for the gamers in the gaming industry.
Games are no longer designed as purely entertainment, but as a tool to make money. Publishers force developers to add multiplayer to increase the longevity and appeal of a game. They force DRM to stop piracy. The problem is that all of their ideas to increase profits or save profits are unnecessary. Games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R and The Witcher, and even Crysis have shown that none of these are needed to sell millions of copies.
Rounding back to the Xbox Reveal. It again goes to show that the focus of the gaming industry is no longer on games. This focus on so called 'value' is diluting the quality of games as a whole. We could be seeing so much better without this misdirection. It would be nice to see publishers put games first and pure profit second. Even to sell a console, there's no point in pandering to the mainstream and non-gaming demographic.
The people who are buying the Xbox One for the features like the TV function or the integration with the NFL aren't going to be the ones who are running out and buying it day one or even week or month one. The gamers will be, so why are the gamers pushed aside? The others will be drawn in later on, especially after a price drop.
Pander to the gamers the ones who will stand in line in the cold for hours for the chance of getting their hands on the system. They're the ones that will carry you on sales. All the features should be presented as extras, not as a main part of a gaming system.
Let me conclude by pointing out that yes I am aware they will show more games during E3. This is besides the point. The point is games should have been the primary focus. They should have directed the reveal of a gaming console at gamers and not at the widest demographic possible. Again I'm not knocking the Xbox One, it looks great, all those features are great and fantastic extras that add terrific value. I'm sure there will be great games. I'm just saddened by the lack of caring for the gamers in the gaming industry.
