My point is that you off-hand refer to playing Skyrim or Dragon Age 2 - those are console games. Same for EVERY Bioware game after NWN, every Bethsoft (now including id) game after Morrowind, everything from EA, Ubisoft, Activision, etc.
They're not console games - they're multiplatform games sharing a relatively similar hardware base. There's a pretty big difference.
Also, I don't have as big a problem with the console platform - because it's quite powerful and it's a dedicated gaming platform. The market is also completely different from the App market.
My problem with console games is about the interface - and the technical barrier of limited memory.
But you need to think in less rigid terms. It's not about me claiming that console limitations are positive - but that the games coming out on them are infinitely more interesting to me - than what we've seen on tablets.
Naturally, I'd prefer PC games taking advantage of the PC platform - but I can't have that.
I fought against the console influence for a long time, and I still fight against it when the limitations become evident.
So, I don't think you really understand my meaning.
The number of games we as PC gamers can claim as 'PC games' is very small, includes mostly EU-developed and indie games … and since you have already stated you'd rather play a console game than an indie game (yes, I know
) … that doesn't leave much.
You can call them console games if you want to, but I don't. They're multiplatform games and the platforms are both infinitely more suited for games - if you ask me.
All kidding aside, I believe that every platform has games that work extremely well on it. We have a XBOX360 with a great library of games, and my older son in particularly plays the heck out of it … I have never completed a game. I am just not a fan. That doesn't make it inherently inferior - but it is just not for me.
I'm not saying the iPad is inherently inferior in an objective sense. If you really prefer games that play well on it, then it's not inferior to you. That's fine.
Tablets (ok, iPad) are interesting - due to things like compass and gyroscope they allow for integrated motion in gameplay mechanics. So at a basic level you will not get a better race game mechanic (aside from one of those massive driving cockpits).
Interesting? Ok. Like the kinect is interesting - I suppose. I grant that.
But they also feature multi-touch surfaces with a large interface - this means that selection, zoom, pan and turn are all easily integrated. For action games … even on a tablet I still find them sub-par compared to the PC. But for turn-based games, they are not just good - I would argue that it is inherently superior to the PC (and eons better than the consoles).
Good turn-based games could potentially exist on the Tablet, I agree. The only problem is how the market works. Because when people are lining up in the millions to play "small" games of limited depth (like Star Base Orion - recently) - there's really no reason to create something better.
No I don't think it is positive. Back in early 2009 I did a rather extensive dissection of the differential cost models of the typical 'AAA' game compared to an app store game. Basically my conclusion was that while we could see excellent ports, we would never see truly top-tier games unless something changed in the current 'all for a $1' mindset.
Then we agree.
And while for the majority of things that hasn't changed … the advent of the iPad and the HUGE market for >$5 apps has shown that people take these things seriously as computing devices. We have musicians plopping down $30 for virtual instruments (not crappy music games), business folks paying >$15 for office apps, and so on.
As I said, I'm not ruling anything out. I'm just not seeing the fantastic games - and I'm not seeing fantastic games ever becoming the norm.
So the price has definitely shifted with the added iPad capability - and with games such as Avadon and Bard's Tale and now BG EE … we have the POTENTIAL for more good games that WE as RPG fans would enjoy to come to that platform.
The potential exists on any platform, really. But what good is potential when dealing with human nature?
The nature of the platform and the market will all but eliminate any hope of truly strong titles becoming commonplace.
I'm finding it hard to understand how you, an otherwise reasonable person, can't see the obvious limitations of the platform. Yes, it's very convenient and powerful for such a small device. But it's STILL a small device - and it still doesn't hold power for very long - and there's STILL a natural complexity challenge when dealing with strict touch-based interfaces. It's STILL nothing compared to a powerful PC or dedicated hardware - so any strong turn-based game will STILL be of limited visual appeal or direct itself to another kind of market. Most developers STILL want to support the Smartphone/iPod market when doing a game - because it's a much bigger market.
It's like saying we have the potential to do great R rated movies. We stil end up with mostly PG-13 rated stuff all the same.
Need I mention Prometheus?
Will we see some sea change where most tablet games are great? Well - answer me this … where do the majority of console/PC/handheld sales go? Year updates to mediocre shooters & football games (both types), and licensed (i.e. movie/TV) games.
Even so, I'm still getting several fantastic console/PC games each year - and I've yet to see a SINGLE iPad/Tablet game that could truly compete for my attention.
I'm all about the games - so it's not bias. I'm just not into "light/cute/remakes/rehashes". I can get more than enough of that on the PC already. I don't need another platform with another endless stream of superficial gaming experiences. I also have a backlog large enough to fill several lifetimes worth of my limited free time.
