“The patent hinges on a form of automated gameplay -- likely sequences pre-recorded by a game's developer -- that users can turn on, described as "digest moving image." For example, it could show a game's character navigating a level to reveal its solutions to stuck players -- or simply to allow players to experience it [the game] without investing the time for an entire playthrough. ”
Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but I seem to recall Nintendo's most notorious games are adventure/platformers. Adventure/platformers put as much an emphasis on gameplay, as they generally do on puzzle solving. Being someone who finds puzzles to be engaging, challenging, and fun, I would be very upset if someone sat down with my 6-year-old-self and showed me exactly how to solve a puzzle, or I were allowed to simply frame the puzzles box and take credit for the completed works. Stacking empty video game boxes on your shelf to show off would have a similar effect.
People need challenges so their brains learn, children especially need this type of mental stimulation, to start problem solving early on. Problem solving with most adults is difficult enough, but if our next generation just tapes a box to a wall to take credit for a job well done...well, we're in trouble.
Sure, there are people that become very frustrated with games (and are very frustrating to watch), but if they are to learn to play games, or in essence, solve their puzzles, they need to practice. People need to get stuck, so they can figure out how to get out of a situation – be it in video games, in the workplace, at school, etc. One of the best life lessons is failure, because “Why do we fall, Bruce?”
Many games have included their own hint system in the programing. Many of the hints are an optional “check this screen if you are stuck”, but others are more , what's the word, irritating? When it was impossible to bypass some problem solving fairies. But to develop an entire system devoted to bluntly solving problems for you...Where's the sense of accomplishment that gamers crave, if they "solve" something by watching someone else do it, instead of trial and error?
As a 23 year old gamer, I have thus far avoided feelings of “Dern whippersnappers – why, back in my day we were happy with this, none of your fancy, shiny graphic thingies.”
But if this new form of gameplay, where the game may actually play itself, I will likely take the geezer stance on games, and boycott the next generation a decade or so prematurely. There does appear to be an "off" switch to these helpful tips, but am I mistaken in thinking many people will take advantage of this system and abuse it to some extent?
Here's the the legal Mumbo Jumbo (the patent) for those interested.
2 comments:
I saw that patent and description, but you do bring up interesting points. I'm hoping it won't be so much of an "automated gameplay" thing like the article says --- I'm thinking more along the lines of what the new Alone in the Dark implemented, letting you skip "chapters" in the game. But it does indeed sound like stuff will have built-in walkthroughs...
It will really suck if we have our hands held in the next Zelda or something like that, but I don't think Nintendo would do that to one of their main properties. Hopefully all of this is just speculation, and it ends up being something totally different.
And after playing Mega Man 9, I became one of the old fogies, bashing new games for a bit. :P
Wow...this is...who came up with this?
Even as a 28 year old gamer, I haven't hit the "dern whippersnappers" stage yet, but this goes a bit beyond that I think. This doesn't just make the games easy, it makes them pointless. Especially if they do this to a game like Zelda, where the puzzles are a primary aspect of the game. Wouldn't it be cheaper to watch a movie?
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