Games now are better than ever

[sethsez]

The ultimate goal of a game is to emulate some type of reality/fantasy that we can't achieve in our everyday, mundane lives

Eh... I wouldn't argue that this is the ultimate point of games.

Look at games that aren't videogames. Chess isn't a battle simulation, it's just an amazingly well-designed game. Immersiveness isn't a part of the equation. The same goes for Monopoly, or any kind of sport you could name. Monopoly wouldn't be more entertaining if it suddenly included real tax laws, and somehow I think chess is going to be played longer than Medieval: Total War.

The ultimate goal of gaming is not to be a simulation of some fantasy, it's to entertain. Some games acheive this through simulating a fantasy (Morrowind, any number of flight simulators, tycoon games, etc), but the simulation is just a means to an end. Some games can be just as addictive and entertaining when they're purely abstract puzzle games (look at the populatity of Zuma).

[SearchManX]

Anyone wanna take bets on who will get reprimanded for their statements in the thread, while diff gets nothing?

Diffx is entitled to his beliefs, and he didn't cross the line in his first few posts. Of course, by beliefs, I mean statements summed up as "X game is shit" which doesn't amount to much discussion. Diffx, perhaps you should try to elaborate more next time?

[Cowutopia]

Eh... I wouldn't argue that this is the ultimate point of games.

I meant a video game.

Almost all games simulate something or other, but that's not necessarily why you play them or where the fun is.

I'm big on strategy games myself. Chess simulates generalship, but pretending to be the leader of a vast army is not why people still play it.

Okay, so it's half and half. The goal of some games is still to emulate some experience we can't actually have, and others aim to be fun for the play alone.

[MarkRyan]

Thank you to sethsez and Tsubaki for typing out what I don't have time for. Many of your words are right from my head (even the chess comparison).

[Yoshi]

Anyone wanna take bets on who will get reprimanded for their statements in the thread, while diff gets nothing?

Anyone want to take bets on who is useful in this thread, other than diffx?

[sethsez]

I meant a video game.
I stick to my point. All games simulate something or other, but that's not necessarily why you play them or where the fun is.
I'm a big strategy game player myself. Chess simulates generalship, but pretending to be the leader of a vast army is not why people still play it.
I think the goal of most games is still to emulate some experience we can't actually have.

So what are puzzle games simulating? They're completely abstract.

[Jeremy]

Is there an "all of the above" option?

[Yoshi]

Is there an "all of the above" option?

No, because that is the wrong answer.

[Cowutopia]

So what are puzzle games simulating? They're completely abstract.

Grrr post edit too late. Reread plz.

Pertaining to this thread though, the only video games that are "better than ever" are the games that are experience-based. Board game translations, strategy games, addicting games...new ones might come out, and they might look a little better, but the core gameplay thrill hasn't changed much since the dawn of games.

But you're right, it may not be the "ultimate goal of video games" to some people. That's when it comes down to your taste and opinion - Why you play video games.

And any game is worthless if it's not fun, so make "entertaining" goal 1 and the other goal goal 2.

+1 awesomeness to me for having my statements challenged and not clinging to them desperately like an orphaned retard to his teddy bear. It's called thinking.

[Shadow Not Shade]

Anyone want to take bets on who is useful in this thread, other than diffx?

Certainly not you. ;D

Ah, you and Diff make such a wacky pair!