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Mobile RPGs Have Major Problems - General Column
SBFord
Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
Mobile RPGs Have Major Problems - General Column
Something interesting happened this week. In the run up to writing this column, I gather every RPG news story I can find and choose the best to share out in the Quick Hits. Most of the time, it’s major AAA releases or indie games hitting Kickstarter or Early Access. This week was dominated by games you can play on on your phone.
Comments
AN' DERE AIN'T NO SUCH FING AS ENUFF DAKKA, YA GROT! Enuff'z more than ya got an' less than too much an' there ain't no such fing as too much dakka. Say dere is, and me Squiggoff'z eatin' tonight!
We are born of the blood. Made men by the blood. Undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open. FEAR THE OLD BLOOD.
#IStandWithVic
To be honest they're all getting to be just quick money grabs. After launch, the game siphons off most of the resources to start on the next money grab, leaving the game to wither and it's player base to dwindle. Players are considered customers, just ATMs to get as much cash out of as they can.
The downward slide started when the game developers were no longer the game owners. Now it's bean counters who control the developers and it's money first, second, third, and down the line somewhere is actual gameplay, consistency, etc. And don't even think about customer service.
I have these which are cash grabs but you can survive without paying a dime.
Star Empery
Fallout Shelter
Magic Rush
Vega Conflict
Blood Brothers 2
Nonstop knight
I have money.
I don't have a short attention span.
I have lots of free time to play games.
I have a powerful computer.
I have a great internet connection.
I enjoy RPG's.
Mobile games are not for people like me.
I love mobile games; I spend more time playing via mobile than I do on PC. I enjoy both.
edit: if you think mobile is for the "short attention span" only, tell me when you get to Trade license 4 in Vendetta Online. Better yet, let me know when you acquire one unit of Samoflange, or a Hive Queen Defense Matrix.
How about setting up a private server in Minecraft Realms so you can play online together with your son or daughter.
...prejudiced, much?
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
Well basically most of the trash in Steam started out as a Mobile RPG and someone thought it was a great idea to bring it to PC.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
If you had a good computer and good internet you wouldn't be forced to defend mobile gaming. As I said, because I have the option, mobile gaming is not for me or anyone else who doesn't have to compromise.
Aside from graphics, there's not much out there for high-end PCs that I can't get in some other form for my middle of the road computer. Video game design really hasn't drastically advanced in the last decade or so; plenty of ideas have been recombined in interesting ways, and the way games are being judged has changed. However, the most complex game I've ever seen, Dwarf Fortress, runs fine on my 2008 desktop Mac. Massive Chalice is an excellent stand-in for X-Com (and more!). Fez, Botanicula, Proteus and the like provide engaging indie experiences.
Right now, a flagship mobile device costs ~40% what a high powered gaming rig does. Remind me, what are the mobile versus PC sales numbers?
It's simple for you to say I'm "forced" to defend mobile gaming, but mightn't the truth as easily be that your investment in your PC has caused you to be blinded to quality experiences on mobile that are worth your attention?
The one thing that might get me to upgrade my PC, when the time comes, is VR gaming. However, some mobile devices have VR solutions, also.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
I work from home most of the time.
My PC provides all my technology needs.
It is a better gaming system then any console or mobile device.
If has more software for my business then any mobile device.
it allows me better methods of input (keyboard, mouse, Mic, camera) then any console or mobile device.
I can connect peripherals to my PC that allow me to do things like print, extra storage, video capture editing that consoles or mobile devices cannot provide.
I can use my computer 24/7 in a comfy chair, near to food and drink and without having to share my experience with strangers.
No matter what metric you choose, my PC will be a better option to any console or mobile device unless you force me out of my home in which case, I will be driving, on one of my sites or engaging in a social activity. None of which I would feel comfortable ignoring those around me to play a game.
I am not blinded to mobile experiences because I have never been forced to rely on mobile experiences. It is like trying to argue why microwave meals are tasty with someone who either cooks their own food or eats out at nice places. The only real argument is cost or time, both of which I do not have to sacrifice for a meal. I like good food and I like a comfortable, high end gaming environment. I do not need to compromise of either.
First, you imply the target market for mobile games are the unemployed, then you equate mobile games with microwave food (whereas PC games are 'home cooked meals').
I get where you're coming from and maybe I'm encountering a bit of a cultural divide, but that's some serious condescension.
Did you ever consider that some people may actually prefer a mobile device to a computer, no matter how powerful the computer is? From a UX standpoint, that is.
It's fine to say you like PC gaming over mobile gaming, but you came in with "I have a job, I don't have a short attention span, therefore..."
That looks like a false sense of superiority for something patently ridiculous as choice of gaming platform. What you have stated makes perfect sense for you; however, you don't seem to be allowing for the possibility that different people have different preferences. It's not a matter of preferring microwaved dinners to home cooked meals; it's a combination of factors like ubiquity of access, ergonomics, device agnosticism, etc.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
I don't disagree that Grumpy was being condescending.
However, there is no way you can argue that a mobile device is comparable as a gaming platform. Which is why this article was made. Mobile gaming doesn't have the structure or support to compete in any significant way with consoles or PC gaming rigs. That's why most of their games suck, are simple in design and are on a 'freemium' platform. The only mobile devices that can be close to comparable are PS Vita's, 3DS, and maybe a decent quality tablet. With that said you can play high tier FPS, RPG, or RTS games that take up gigabytes of memory, since these devices are incapable of storing all that much, unless you spend a $1000 on a tablet, or play retro titles with 16-32 bit graphics.
Not saying your poor or stupid, just saying that the argument that PC is a ridiculous gaming platform compared to Mobile devices is not a strong one, or provable, sorry to break it to ya. PC has pointed advantages over consoles, though the gap is much smaller, as consoles are little more than compressed hardware PC's anyways.
Also, medium level PC rigs don't cost all that much, and can be upgraded overtime rather than thrown out and replaced. Which is something you can't do with a Mobile or Console.
"We all do the best we can based on life experience, point of view, and our ability to believe in ourselves." - Naropa "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." SR Covey
My point was I do not have to settle on inadequate tools for the job. I like a big screen, a powerful system, useful input devices...If you can find someone that prefers playing games on a smaller screen (where you might have to zoom in to be able to see what the hell is going on, using the wrong input device (such as trying to RP in an MMO on a touch phone) playing in a crowded place where you cannot get Dolby sound, where your connection is very slow, where you might have to use the phone for an actual call...sorry but I know no one that, given the choice between the 2 would want an inferior set-up.
...but it's not your fault. I can only assume it's your lack of experience.
I personally will often choose a mobile device over a PC for gaming, for reasons that have apparently gone completely over your head.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
I have given up on ALL games on mobile. Not just the f2p stuff or the rpg's but everything. The experience is just way too shallow and in the end becomes very boring. No real entertainment value. Now, if I were stranded on my back on a desert island I might think otherwise.
Let's party like it is 1863!
The only game I keep on my phone is Hearthstone and only so I can play it while using the treadmill and can seamlessly transfer from Phone to PC between games as it uses the same account.