What is the most important expectation from a game?

[Saturos]

In a perfect world, we'd always have bug-free games with just the right amount and right kind of content for everyone and everyone has an their own idea of what kind(s) of games appeal to them.

However, you had to choose between just one of these things, would you say that it's more important for a game to be as bug-free (if not completely) as possible, or is the content/replayablility more important?

P.S. > Many games out there are completely bug-ridden with a crappy storyline, gameplay, etc. *insert Oblivion jokes here Oblivion haters* ( I'm looking at you Mikael Grizzly) These kind of games just plain suck in this case.

I was inspired to make this thread because no matter how well I try to optimize Oblivion, I always run into some annoying bug somewhere that I just can't seem to fix which ruins everything for me. (to be fair, there are a few others games like this too, and some are console games even) I absolutely hate it when this happens. I think I've got everything fixed the way it should be and some new problem occurs. I'm probably just gonna give up on trying to make that game work right. Dammit, that's the developers job. *end of rant* :frown:

 

[Dog--]

Option #2 is the choice for me.

I usually learn to work around glitches, but a game needs meat, not just bones.

 

[Saturos]

Option #2 is the choice for me.

I usually learn to work around glitches, but a game needs meat, not just bones.

Yes, but it's annoying when there are games out there that are shite in terms of content, but are surprisingly bug-free. I think devs should step up QA testing for some of their big-name, and extremely over-hyped <(or not) titles. The good games (or over-hyped games) that have the most content seem to have the most technical glitches for some reason. Or is it just me? :|

 

[Jintor]

FUN.

If your game is no fun to play, RETURN TO DRAWING BOARD.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Poll choices are waaaaaaaay too narrow. I'd say most people expect a bit of both, but as far as expectations the "content" (broad much?) mostly depends on what's already been promised before release. As far as bugs that's more or less a given - nobody wants a buggy game, even if the pay-off is more content ("hmm, do we add another dungeon or fix it so the NPCs don't constantly run into walls?"). That's what longer development cycles are for, although I realise that's not always a possibility because of pressure from publishers.

Personally, my greatest expectation from games these days is that they'll pleasantly surprise me somehow. Any game can live up to what has already been spelled out for you in previews and trailers, but if it manages to give me something I wasn't expecting, then that's special.

 

[99.vikram]

I can overlook any number of minor bugs if the game is fun and captures my imagination.

Frankly I don't give a sh*t about lore...

 

[Jintor]

I love having a bajillion books in-game. It kept me in Oblivion for more than a month, just book-hunting.

 

[Sulkdodds]

Fun and intelligence. Really, that's all. But oh so difficult to perfect, apparently...

 

[Tagaziel]

Content and fun. This is why I keep coming back to Fallouts, now replay Planescape: Torment, Jagged Alliance 2... Oh, and the game has to be coherent, with the lore staying intact. It really isn't that hard to do, but apparently Bethesda failed to do so, what with sacking the head TES writer and all (propably he opposed one of Howard's "kewl innovashuns").

Anyways, a game that failed miserably at both lately was Bioshock. You know there's something wrong with the game when you have to force yourself to play it after watching your brother finish it.

 

[Kadayi]

Content. Bugs can be fixed, additional content is called an 'expansion pack'.

 

[Asknoone]

You could have actually put some actual poll choices up there.

 

[VictimOfScience]

My most important expectation is addictiveness. That goes across all genres of games. I want a game to be something that I can't stop thinking about and that I can't wait to get home to play! GTA IV is pretty much guaranteed to be my next title in this vein.

 

[Dynasty]

FUn and content.

Glitches are something that can be fixed with a patch or 2 at a later stage, as long as theyre not game-breaking glitches that hinder your progress. Characters going through walls and stuff make me laugh more than think 'what a crap game'.

 

[Bad^Hat]

My most important expectation is addictiveness. That goes across all genres of games. I want a game to be something that I can't stop thinking about and that I can't wait to get home to play! GTA IV is pretty much guaranteed to be my next title in this vein.

Actually, along those same lines - longevity. Something I find myself looking for more and more since many games turn out to be quick throwaway jobbies (if I even finish them). Combine longevity and addictiveness and you're onto a winner.

Unless it's WoW.

 

[Shamrock]

I think we should have ONLY dragon games made. Maybe dragon games that come with a free dragon t-shirt! We could wear it while we play our dragon games!



I went there.




Anyway, content + story + fun gameplay = win... That is the most obvious statement ever.

I usually look for something that keeps me attached. Maybe humor, maybe some amazing gameplay. I'm not too certain what attracts me to certain games.

 

[Seppo]

out of those choices, i say content. i want my games to be fun, and bugs don't usually bother me much.

 

[CyberPitz]

I complain more about glitches than I do content. Then again, I'm an FPSer, so content REALLY doesn't interest me, as long as I can cap'a'bitch.

 

[Deleted member 56031]

number 2 for me although I never liked elder scrolls series personally :|

 

[Sufferin-rebel]

Content, we need gameplay, to keep us aroused while we're playing the game. Graphics are nice but to be honest I prefer 2d games over 3d games, cause of the fun element. Games that focus too much on the visual element are not that good IMO. sure they look very artistic and pleasant to look at, but I prefer to play a game not be part of a tech demo.

 

[CptStern]

option #4: Fun

 

[Asuka]

I dont mind bugs, but game breaking bugs are ****ing annoying,

Bug-free. I can't stand glitches.

 

[Cavalry]

Content-if you have say CoD4 with 1 location, no plot and 4 weapons, there would be failure.

 

[Saturos]

Content-if you have say CoD4 with 1 location, no plot and 4 weapons, there would be failure.

/facepalm Within reason though Cavalry. There are flash games out there with more content than that.

I myself am not so hard to please whe it comes to games. I liked Doom3 for cryin' out loud. As long as there's alittle substance, (i.e. action, somewhat of a plot etc.) I'm happy for the most part. As far as content goes, I'm not as picky as a used to be with games, but bugs such as sound or video glitches, crashes, etc. drives me crazy after I've exhausted every conceivable method (legal method that is) to get things working just the way I want them too. In which case I get quickly get bored as the immersion factor is ruined for me and I move on to something else. Being a programmer/technician, I developed a sense of perfection over the years with stuff like this and try to find ways to make a game better. Technically and content wise. That's what happens when you take the red-pill that is IT education. One becomes anal-retentive and a perfectionist.

 

[i am HOLLYWOOD]

Gamebreakers annoy me but. . to be honest i kinda look for ingame glitches, i love finding odd little bugs the testers missed, stuff that causes just really random things to happen

 

[CR0M]

What is the most important expectation from a game?

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you and to hear the lamentation of der wimmin.

 

[Kula Meenur]

hehe... anal retentive...



content is what i'm after in a game

 

[PvtRyan]

Option 2. And by 2 I mean option 3 for you because I start counting at 0.

 

[phantomdesign]

Gameplay <--- That's most important. Though excessive bugs can kill any game.

 

[Trevelyan]

option #4: Fun

ditto,

I want it to have fun playing it & to be able sometimes to bask in my presonally glory :thumbs: (e.g I've scored a 30 yrd freekick in pro evo, trounced the hero's in Dungeon Keeper 2!)