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  • Subject: Casuals are detrimentally impacting the gaming industry.
Subject: Casuals are detrimentally impacting the gaming industry.

Recently, I purchased two very different games: Halo 4 and Paper Mario Sticker Star. Both games come from a lineage of respected and enjoyable games, as most of you know. However, these games possessed qualities which differed from those which made their predecessors great.

Both of these games had undergone the process of "casualization."

Let's start off with Sticker Star. The paper mario games have been widely respected for a myriad of reasons, including good plot, unique rpg elements, and good characterization. Unfortunately, Sticker Star lacked all of these qualities. The plot was practically non-existent, the rpg elements were either lacking or completely gone, and the characters (except Kertsi) were generic and bland.

Moving on to Halo 4. The campaign was solid (although it did have it's problems). However, my major complaints about Halo 4 are not about the campaign; they are about the multiplayer. Rather than maintain the traditionally enjoyable Halo multiplayer formula, 343 decided to pollute the game with various elements from CoD, including loadouts, perks, ordnances, kill cams, random match entries, a point system with which you purchase things, etc. This essentially alienated more passionate players in favor of, you guessed it, casuals (the same general audience which CoD games are played by).

These are only two recent examples of how the gaming industry is beginning to focus more on the casual demographic (which prefers simplicity and ease) in spite of the more hardcore community (which prefers complexity and challenge). Both of these games were from series which I genuinely enjoyed, which makes my disappointment in them even more crushing and bitter. I understand that there are still a variety of games for people with my interests, but I am concerned that the companies who make such games may also casualize their games in order to appeal to the large casual demographic.

tl;dr- Due to the gaming industry's attempts to appeal to the larger, more casual demographic, certain game series are declining.

  • 11.29.2012 1:40 PM PDT

Casuals aren't the problem. Game developers being lazy are the problem.

  • 11.29.2012 1:41 PM PDT

you do know you were one of those "filthy casuals" when you were younger, right? it's just the same as anything else, the older generation hates the new, rose coloured glasses, ect.

  • 11.29.2012 1:42 PM PDT

"I will show you how a true Prussian officer fights!"

"And i will show you where the iron crosses grow..."

- "Cross of Iron"

Ah the beauty of not playing consoles only anymore. PC gamers have so much more variety and don't have to worry about casuals and try hards. (unless your in the competitive gaming scene)

  • 11.29.2012 1:42 PM PDT

Posted by: IrIsHmAn04
no its legit, i used coordinates, set weapon timers the works.

FYI OP!

Games and gamers have always been casual and they always will be. It's only a very, very small percentage that take games way to serious. The majority don't give a crap and play to play.

  • 11.29.2012 1:42 PM PDT
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LeaveItYeah

They may be declining, but they're catering to the larger audience.

Do you think they care what a small percentage of gamers want? Nope.

  • 11.29.2012 1:43 PM PDT
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lol

  • 11.29.2012 1:43 PM PDT

Look buddy, if you really think these games have become "casual" and you don't like it, go play other -blam!- games. Nobody said you have to buy Halo 4. You made that decision. There are plenty of "hardcore" games out there. Stop being lazy and look beyond the surface of game selection.

  • 11.29.2012 1:43 PM PDT

I despised Sticker Star at the beginning. My mind is now changing the more I see of it. I think it could be very fun!

That's at least what I search for in a game of Mario.

  • 11.29.2012 1:44 PM PDT

Trying hard or hardly trying?

GT: oxI Sonic Ixo


Posted by: DaViDlIkEsPiE2
you do know you were one of those "filthy casuals" when you were younger, right? it's just the same as anything else, the older generation hates the new, rose coloured glasses, ect.

I don't believe it is that simple. You can definitely see a drop in quality across the board when it comes to challenge and focus in today's video games.

  • 11.29.2012 1:44 PM PDT


Posted by: Anthony2K6

Posted by: DaViDlIkEsPiE2
you do know you were one of those "filthy casuals" when you were younger, right? it's just the same as anything else, the older generation hates the new, rose coloured glasses, ect.

I don't believe it is that simple. You can definitely see a drop in quality across the board when it comes to challenge and focus in today's video games.
Only in AA titles. Again, it's not the demographic, it's the game developers.

  • 11.29.2012 1:45 PM PDT
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Network Tech, computer hardware tech, etc. PM if you need network help. Avid Elder Scrolls fan.

Yep, I find that the games in today's world aren't as challenging as they where 5 or 10 years ago. I can give an example right now of a franchise that has bitten the casual bullet. Ninja gaiden. The first one was hard and the second one even harder when you put it on the highest difficulty but then came the third one which seemed so much easier then the first two.

Sadly enough I see this in halo as well. Still to this today IMO Halo 2 on legendary was ridiculous but halo 4 seemed like cake on legendary. Hell if it keeps up 2 year olds could play these games like pros.

  • 11.29.2012 1:45 PM PDT

Nahman Jayden, Eff bee eye. I herd that you're the origammy killah...


Posted by: xBADMAGIKx
FYI OP!

Games and gamers have always been casual and they always will be. It's only a very, very small percentage that take games way to serious. The majority don't give a crap and play to play.
Pretty much this. Besides, the industry is booming, and once the next gen comes around...
Expect new and exciting IPs. Support the devs that look promising, and just play what you like
Doesnt matter if you're a "FILTHY CASUAL" or a "MLG PRO". Just shut up and be happy.

  • 11.29.2012 1:45 PM PDT

Break the windowsill


Posted by: DarkBen64
Casuals aren't the problem. Game developers being lazy are the problem.


This. Developers don't want to take risks anymore so they do what has been done before for easy money

  • 11.29.2012 1:45 PM PDT

RIP - The Rev: February 9, 1981 – December 28, 2009
RIP - Mitch Lucker: October 20, 1984 - November 1, 2012
RIP - Dimebag Darrell: August 20, 1966 – December 8, 2004
RIP - Ronny James Dio: July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010


Posted by: derka derka
Do you think they care what a small percentage of gamers want? Nope.


Precisely. Everything will have its' turn in the spot-light, don't worry.

  • 11.29.2012 1:45 PM PDT

Posted by: IrIsHmAn04
no its legit, i used coordinates, set weapon timers the works.


Posted by: ABotelho
Look buddy, if you really think these games have become "casual" and you don't like it, go play other -blam!- games. Nobody said you have to buy Halo 4. You made that decision. There are plenty of "hardcore" games out there. Stop being lazy and look beyond the surface of game selection.


Ya, but the commercials told him to buy it. Didn't you know?

  • 11.29.2012 1:45 PM PDT

.:[Jim Tuite]:.


Posted by: DarkBen64
Casuals aren't the problem. Game developers being lazy are the problem.
qft

  • 11.29.2012 1:46 PM PDT

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

I did not feel as if 343i alienated passionate fans with the multiplayer. Just because two games share some ideas does not mean that those ideas are implemented in the same way or for the same reason. For 343i, it seemed logical to build on the core of the combat triangle Halo has been built upon for the last decade. For Treyarch/IW, progression, unlocks, and customization are supposed to motivate the player to continue playing and work toward something greater.

  • 11.29.2012 1:47 PM PDT

I couldnt agree more OP.

I cant even play halo 4, its so bad.

  • 11.29.2012 1:47 PM PDT
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Yep, because video games were made strictly for tryhards. Anyone who wants to play just for fun deserves to be burned at the stake.

  • 11.29.2012 1:47 PM PDT

Posted by: DarkBen64
Casuals aren't the problem. Game developers being lazy are the problem.
This. Everything is a balance, in this case, you want to balance out your game so it is accessible to beginners but has enough depth and substance so that each gamer can dip as deep into the pool as they feel comfortable with. Easy to learn, difficult to master, as it were.

It seems many developers are leaning away from the "difficult to master" side of the scale these days, but it's most certainetly not the fault of casual players, it's poor judgement on the developers part.

  • 11.29.2012 1:47 PM PDT

Declining in your individual opinion. Growth of the gaming industry can only be meassured in its popularity, because games are a marketing product. "Casual" games (as overused as that term is) are making games bigger than movies; by definition, they are not declining.

What your personal preference is regarding games is irrelevant to the cold hard facts. If you don't like the way games are going, you have two options: You can either adapt to the new games and learn to have fun with them, or leave, but dont keep complaining about them if you choose to stay.

  • 11.29.2012 1:48 PM PDT


Posted by: A goon
Yep, because video games were made strictly for tryhards. Anyone who wants to play just for fun deserves to be burned at the stake.


Sorry but trying hard at a fair and balanced Halo game is FUN to me.

  • 11.29.2012 1:49 PM PDT


Posted by: Hylebos
Posted by: DarkBen64
Casuals aren't the problem. Game developers being lazy are the problem.
This. Everything is a balance, in this case, you want to balance out your game so it is accessible to beginners but has enough depth and substance so that each gamer can dip as deep into the pool as they feel comfortable with. Easy to learn, difficult to master, as it were.

It seems many developers are leaning away from the "difficult to master" side of the scale these days, but it's most certainetly not the fault of casual players, it's poor judgement on the developers part.
It's obvious to me. Indie developers can still churn out brilliant titles such as FTL: Faster Than Light because they don't care as much about the quick money and put more time into innovative and engaging gameplay.

  • 11.29.2012 1:49 PM PDT