If you are old enough to remember the early years of gaming, you
have probably noticed that the older games were much harder to beat - games like Contra, Ghouls & Ghosts,
and Raiden took an astonishing amount of determination (and quarters) to complete. Compare that with
recently-released games, which generally take around 10 hours to complete. Is it that we have become more skillful
players, or is it really a conscious act on the part of the developer?
The ever-inspiring Netjak have posted a new article on the matter. Rick Healey thinks this cultural shift has to do
with the decline of the arcades, and the need for companies to keep a steady cash flow from gamers' pockets to their
own - constantly trying to make games easier and shorter, but add replay value (i.e. unlockable content) so one feels
like they are getting their money's worth out of a game.
While the piece ends on a rather cynical note, it should be noted that the shift in game design could be due to a
variety of factors, including the demands of the consumer. Do you find the state of games to your liking, do you
hearken back to the old-school games, or are you looking for something new entirely?
Engadget
TUAW