Do you guys know about Dracula X Chronicles? Okay, so you've got this classic, some might say legendary game right? And someone decided that this classic deserved a re-release. Maybe it was just to celebrate its legacy, or just to give people who didn't want to spend too much money on ebay a chance to own this. Bottomline, the game gets this great re-release which includes the original, a 3d-ish remake AND Symphony of the Night. Plus, possibly some other bonuses I don't know about. On top of this, you get a nice case with some artwork, a nice disc with more artwork on it, plus the instruction booklet. You've got this wonderful, beautiful thing to hold in your hand and put on your display shelf at home.
Meanwhile, Sin and Punishment, which is one of Treasure's best, and one of the best games on the N64 FINALLY makes it to the US and it gets, what? A FILE DOWNLOAD!? That's it!?
TMNT: Arcade, a classic game many people have fond memories of, which NEVER got a home release(unless you count the not even remotely arcade perfect NES version) could have maybe gotten a budget release. Give us a nice case with cool screenshots on the back, and an actual disc and instructions with cool artwork. Maybe could have thrown in Turtles in Time, not the respectable S-NES version(which I love) but an exact copy of the arcade original, along with some other bonuses. Wouldn't this have been better than just getting a file downloaded into your hard drive.
In case you guys haven't caught on yet, I'm sort of sick of the whole file download thing. I mean, most of us already knew how to download and play TMNT and Sin and Punishment on our PCs before they got released on the 360 Live Arcade and Wii Virtual Console respectively. I want an actual physical thing to wrap my hands around. If Panzer Dragoon Saga ever gets re-released, I want AN ACTUAL RE-RELEASE, NOT A STUPID FILE DOWNLOAD!!
I'm not against Nintendo and Microsoft letting people download games. I've had emulators running on my computer for years, but I have never viewed any of the games I've downloaded and played as substitutes for the real thing. If I really like a certain ROM, I typically will try to buy the real thing. What I hate though, is when there is all this hype about a game like Sin and Punishment finally making it to our shores and finding out that it's ONE BIG STINKING LIE!! Nintendo offers a file download, something most of us already had the capability of doing on PC and I'm supposedly to believe that Sin and Punishment has finally been released in the US? No, it hasn't. I didn't see any boxes with the words Sin and Punishment sitting in Gamestop or EB.
I just don't like this trend. I actually fear a future where ALL games will just be file downloads. Nobody will even have game rooms anymore
Your thoughts?
What really bugs me about Live Arcade and the Wii VC
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Gamerforlife
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DCAllAmerican
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Re: What really bugs me about Live Arcade and the Wii VC
My thought is that, although you don't like this trend, many more do. Not everyone has the space to store the "physical" collectibles, many people don't like to pay extra for the extras they don't use (they just want to play the game), and digital distribution and storage have noticeable benefits (no need to pay for transportation to a store, or for shipment; often much more organized and accessible than having to dig through a shelf for the game; the format may be less perishable than optical media as I believe you can re-download it after you purchased it etc.)Gamerforlife wrote:
I just don't like this trend. I actually fear a future where ALL games will just be file downloads. Nobody will even have game rooms anymore
Your thoughts?
So while I understand your collector perspective, perhaps you should try to understand the perspective of someone who just cares about playing the game.
Ivo.
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Daniel Primed
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Yeah I totally agree, I haven't used the Virtual Console service yet (I don't have a 360) and I only intend on using it for games on consoles that I don't plan on buying or non PAL releases.
I think that this service is great for current gamers whom didn't have the previous consoles. But considering that I grew up during these times, owning these consoles I feel as though I am obliged to own originals.
Now considering how hard it is to get a hold of some of these original games or even how hard it is to do so for a decent price (overpriced PAL SNES RPGs ><). I think that developers should re-release their old games. Although there are a lot of implications in doing so. So the best way (to please everyone) would be in compilation releases. We have seen some fantastic compilations released over the past few years from franchises like Megaman (non PAL!!), Street Fighter(non PAL!!!) and Metal Slug.
Also you need to consider that digital downloads are inevitable, cartriages wear out. No one wants to spend 20 minutes blowing into a cartriage just to get Dr Mario to work.
I think that this service is great for current gamers whom didn't have the previous consoles. But considering that I grew up during these times, owning these consoles I feel as though I am obliged to own originals.
Now considering how hard it is to get a hold of some of these original games or even how hard it is to do so for a decent price (overpriced PAL SNES RPGs ><). I think that developers should re-release their old games. Although there are a lot of implications in doing so. So the best way (to please everyone) would be in compilation releases. We have seen some fantastic compilations released over the past few years from franchises like Megaman (non PAL!!), Street Fighter(non PAL!!!) and Metal Slug.
Also you need to consider that digital downloads are inevitable, cartriages wear out. No one wants to spend 20 minutes blowing into a cartriage just to get Dr Mario to work.
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RadarScope1
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As someone who collects, I get what you're talking about. But I think more and more, its going to go that way. These companies are in it to make money and without physical media to manufacture it's much cheaper that way. Maybe if DLC sales are high enough they'd do a physical release but I doubt it. I look at it as way for people to play stuff they couldn't before. I'd be thrilled to see Radiant Silvergun on XBLA, for instance.
I do think game companies should re-release or re-make classic games more of the time. If they have to do it as DLC then fine (collectors can still go for the originals, and they may even be more highly prized that way). Too often, game companies move onto the next sequel or uninspired title the next year and the next instead of treasuring the rock-solid classics they've already made. It may already be happening. Stuff like Dracula X Chronicles, Tomb Raider: Anniversary and all those FF remakes for the GBA and DS are just the beginning I think.
I do think game companies should re-release or re-make classic games more of the time. If they have to do it as DLC then fine (collectors can still go for the originals, and they may even be more highly prized that way). Too often, game companies move onto the next sequel or uninspired title the next year and the next instead of treasuring the rock-solid classics they've already made. It may already be happening. Stuff like Dracula X Chronicles, Tomb Raider: Anniversary and all those FF remakes for the GBA and DS are just the beginning I think.
what bothers me the most about the whole download rather than box in hand, is that its going to effect future secondary market.
what will used gameshops have on their shelves in 15 years? they have been taken out of the loop and made obsolete. the don't even appear to have noticed as they talk up the VC and XBLA.
what will the thrifty game player do when all the used shops die.
what will used gameshops have on their shelves in 15 years? they have been taken out of the loop and made obsolete. the don't even appear to have noticed as they talk up the VC and XBLA.
what will the thrifty game player do when all the used shops die.
Welcome to the future and the coming reality that everything we interact with and use will be done via a computer or computer interface of some kind. Be it Music, Movies and even Books...everything is moving away from the mass produced physical form as it saves money.
I understand your need to create 'game rooms' but at the same time I feel it is just part of a 'look at me' culture of self indulgence and ego-masturbation. Although I also counter that self made idea with my own fondness of having something tangible and physical in my hand at times. At the end of the day, it is about the games and not about how you get ahold of them. Be it a physical box you buy at the store or a digital download is of no concern if you like playing video games for the sheer joy and entertainment of it. Anything else is secondary to this and, game collecting will not end it will just take on a different form.
Dont fret because no doubt, instead of pointing to shelves full of games in 20 years, you can brag about how you had to buy 4 200TB hard drives to store all the games. You will probably launch an interface via your TV to access them all and can show your friends all the games in your collection that way.
I understand your need to create 'game rooms' but at the same time I feel it is just part of a 'look at me' culture of self indulgence and ego-masturbation. Although I also counter that self made idea with my own fondness of having something tangible and physical in my hand at times. At the end of the day, it is about the games and not about how you get ahold of them. Be it a physical box you buy at the store or a digital download is of no concern if you like playing video games for the sheer joy and entertainment of it. Anything else is secondary to this and, game collecting will not end it will just take on a different form.
Dont fret because no doubt, instead of pointing to shelves full of games in 20 years, you can brag about how you had to buy 4 200TB hard drives to store all the games. You will probably launch an interface via your TV to access them all and can show your friends all the games in your collection that way.
Last edited by Mucx on Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Physical stuff is overrated 
Anyway, nobody can take away what is already issued in physical releases.
As for many of these VC and XBLA releases, there are typically games that wouldn't be worth it to the publishers to have full retail releases. There are increased costs and risks in doing retail releases. So in most cases, its either downloads or nothing, so you should be thankful for what you have.
Anyway, nobody can take away what is already issued in physical releases.
As for many of these VC and XBLA releases, there are typically games that wouldn't be worth it to the publishers to have full retail releases. There are increased costs and risks in doing retail releases. So in most cases, its either downloads or nothing, so you should be thankful for what you have.
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Also this is one of the best ways to get into indie gaming. Xbox live and possibly the Wii connect at some point, allow for very small companies release games with virtually no risk to anyone and without the aide of a publisher. If it its a hit then they stand to make a substantial percentage of the money their title brings in. This opportunity didn't exist in the console market 3 years ago.
The industry on the whole was adverse to making high risk titles because of the level of investment required to make a retail release, this lead to the cookie cutter game design and the crappy franchise games. So we will over time see innovative and 'high risk' game titles released on these venues because of independent game companies willing to take the risk and don't need the backing of a game publisher. This is something I don't think anyone here would disagree with.
Your concern about games not making it to the box and so on, I wouldn't worry too much as the games that are worth playing and have proved them selfs with strong sales will tend to end up on complication discs like this..
The industry on the whole was adverse to making high risk titles because of the level of investment required to make a retail release, this lead to the cookie cutter game design and the crappy franchise games. So we will over time see innovative and 'high risk' game titles released on these venues because of independent game companies willing to take the risk and don't need the backing of a game publisher. This is something I don't think anyone here would disagree with.
Your concern about games not making it to the box and so on, I wouldn't worry too much as the games that are worth playing and have proved them selfs with strong sales will tend to end up on complication discs like this..