The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

[Bacardi151]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

I remember playing H.E.R.O. until my fingers bled. My buddy said that at a point you would end the game and break out onto the street with all the miners. I believed him, I was like 8, so I played it and played it and played it. Never broke out..

you too eh?

I have a bunch of stories of some of my older friends at that time that would tell me those kinds of stories, them believing the same story as well. Some fool would start a rumor, and it would catch on, eventually even the originator would believe it.

Perhaps something else that is missing from today's games are the ability to leave something to the imagination? Games are so realistic that you really dont allow your brain to imagine certain things that older games might have had.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

Yes, I see your point there. My brother and I would play baseball on the Intellivision constantly. There was never chatter about next year's release. Nowadays, if it's sports, it's an annual release. But as you mentioned, SMB, Punchout, Bionic Commando...all those games were replayed time and time again.

Great topic to discuss.

Super Mario Brothers 3 is still my favorite game of all time, I can't tell you how many hours I played of that game, and still play. I think it's right now why I love the Wii so much, the virtual console stuff just rules. Last night I was playing Punch-Out!! and having an absolute blast. Great times.

[mgoblue]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

games that could be beat, i would attempt to. Then again most games in atari's golden age, did not have an ending.

Enduro, i would play and try to get farther every time. Same race over and over. Got to day 10 on that. Maze craze is another classic which i just played over and over. Keystone Kapers i would keep going hoping for an ending but even after going through playing for an hour straight and it just getting harder, would never keep me from going back to the game a day later.

I guess part of getting older is valuing your time a bit more. When I was a kid I could bang my head against the same problem in a game for 8 hours and not get that pissed off. Nowadays i'd give up earlier on if a game was that impossible, because I have other things I can be doing (and I also don't play video games to incessantly frustrate me, you know?). I think I'm more willing to give up/move on because the option is there now (I can own more games, etc), I am not forced to be frustrated as I was back in the days of no money.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

you too eh?

I have a bunch of stories of some of my older friends at that time that would tell me those kinds of stories, them believing the same story as well. Some fool would start a rumor, and it would catch on, eventually even the originator would believe it.

Perhaps something else that is missing from today's games are the ability to leave something to the imagination? Games are so realistic that you really dont allow your brain to imagine certain things that older games might have had.

Seriously, not joking, but I blame the Internet. We can find any info out months before a game comes out and then once it's out, we're already looking for the next big game. Back in the NES days, it was Nintendo Power or nothing...Gamepro and EGM were later. I remember seeing Hoops in a Nintendo Power, one screen shot, nothing more and I wanted it for close to 8 months.

Back in the Atari games, it was a box shot or game title and that's all it took. The games sold themselves.

There wasn't game info on games, spoilers, etc all over the place like now.

[Kramer5150]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

Seriously, not joking, but I blame the Internet. We can find any info out months before a game comes out and then once it's out, we're already looking for the next big game. Back in the NES days, it was Nintendo Power or nothing...Gamepro and EGM were later. I remember seeing Hoops in a Nintendo Power, one screen shot, nothing more and I wanted it for close to 8 months.

Back in the Atari games, it was a box shot or game title and that's all it took. The games sold themselves.

There wasn't game info on games, spoilers, etc all over the place like now.

Great post I couldn't agree more.
I can remember back on the 2600 my grandpa would take me to Service Merchandise,and I would get all excited when I seen the box art for Asteroids....and then the thrill of getting the game...good times.

I'm at the point in games now (to be honest) that I could care less...now does age factor in?? probably,but I'm so turned off by this so-called "next gen" that it doesn't bother me either way anymore whether I play a game or not.
I'm sick of getting "half games" and waiting on a patch or update to correct any said problem.
I think thats why I'm more entertained by the classics....Joust,Centipede and the others.

[Jistic]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

I'm old. I'm married. I work full time. I have a son. I do not have a ton of time to play games. Barely any actually. In fact I have to trade sleep for gaming time and I pay for it the next day.

I used to be the guy that bought every game. But I've changed something in the last year. I've realized the steak is never as good as the sizzle. I pick a few games that I must have, and play the crap out of them.

It seems every week here on OS there is a game that everyone is jumping on, then off a week or two later. It's no fun buying a game for online when everyone else is gonna jump off of it a week or two later.

So now I simplfy. I still play NCAA football for instance like crazy. I love my dynasty, and getting in a game at night with a little recruiting does it for me. I didn't bother with NBA 2K this year cuz I know that CHoops will be my one bball game that I can pour everything into. Did I want to get it? Sure, but I resisted, saved the money and will wait for November.

Mass Effect is the one must have game I've had circled for over a year. And even if it's 80 hours to finish the whole thing with side missions, I'll do it. Even if it takes me a year or two. I'm in no rush. I don't have to have every new game when it comes out. By the time I pickup Bioshock I can have it for 20-30 bucks new on ebay. I always have games circled that I get back too. And if I REALLY want to try a new release...I rent it. I loved Halo3, was a blast, but I was good after a week and returned it.

Less games = more attention/investment in the games you do have.

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

I started to read that article...but got bored and stopped midway through.

[born_bad]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

I'm old. I'm married. I work full time. I have a son. I do not have a ton of time to play games. Barely any actually. In fact I have to trade sleep for gaming time and I pay for it the next day.

I used to be the guy that bought every game. But I've changed something in the last year. I've realized the steak is never as good as the sizzle. I pick a few games that I must have, and play the crap out of them.

It seems every week here on OS there is a game that everyone is jumping on, then off a week or two later. It's no fun buying a game for online when everyone else is gonna jump off of it a week or two later.

So now I simplfy. I still play NCAA football for instance like crazy. I love my dynasty, and getting in a game at night with a little recruiting does it for me. I didn't bother with NBA 2K this year cuz I know that CHoops will be my one bball game that I can pour everything into. Did I want to get it? Sure, but I resisted, saved the money and will wait for November.

Mass Effect is the one must have game I've had circled for over a year. And even if it's 80 hours to finish the whole thing with side missions, I'll do it. Even if it takes me a year or two. I'm in no rush. I don't have to have every new game when it comes out. By the time I pickup Bioshock I can have it for 20-30 bucks new on ebay. I always have games circled that I get back too. And if I REALLY want to try a new release...I rent it. I loved Halo3, was a blast, but I was good after a week and returned it.

Less games = more attention/investment in the games you do have.

Exactly what I'm doing. I buy WAY less games than I used to and I play them long-term. I'm still playing games like PGR3, Oblivion, Call of Duty 2, etc. Instead of buying something like PGR4, if I get the itch to play a racing game, I'll pop in PGR3 and takes care of it. Sure, PGR4 has some weather effects and bikes, but big deal. The experience is about the same and I can get it from a game I already have, so why buy the new one right away? I also play my sports game for the full year and sometimes beyond. I'm still playing MLB2k7 regularly. I'm still playing Madden 07 and passed on Madden 08 because there wasn't enough improvement, IMO. I was playing NHL 07 right until 08 came out, etc.

I also don't buy games right when they're released unless it's something I've been really waiting for. For example, I haven't bought Halo 3 yet. I'll pick it up eventually and I'll probably get it used for cheaper than if I bought it on Day 1. I don't care that I'll miss out on playing with 10 million 12-year olds in the first week of the release.

I've had the 360 since Jan 06 and I only have about 10 games for it. I still play all 10 games, though. I fully agree about people jumping from one game to another. I don't buy games that are only fun online with people from my friends list because it's very typical they'll only be play it until the next game comes out.

[Methlab]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

Jistic made a great point. How many games do you really need? On here, you have some guys going "wow, i cant afford my wishlist of games this year..etc.." Well honestly, do you need all of those games? I currently play Halo 3 and APF. Thats it. I bought NHL08 by EA (great game), but I knew that i would not have time for it, so I sold it.

I plan to get COD4 for sure, and that is about all I have anticipated. I think between APF, Halo 3 and COD4, I am set. I will probably phase out either Halo or COD4 after a couple of months.

Anything else, I can rent...I can always rent if I stay in on a weekend and want to veg out.

As for buying, I focus on getting the best possible games out and that's it.

If you go by the Mboards you will buy everything. When a game first comes out, you see the same post all the time " I love this game!!!" . You see that all day long, and the next week it is something else.

[DaveDQ]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

Jistic made a great point. How many games do you really need? On here, you have some guys going "wow, i cant afford my wishlist of games this year..etc.." Well honestly, do you need all of those games? I currently play Halo 3 and APF. Thats it. I bought NHL08 by EA (great game), but I knew that i would not have time for it, so I sold it.

I plan to get COD4 for sure, and that is about all I have anticipated. I think between APF, Halo 3 and COD4, I am set. I will probably phase out either Halo or COD4 after a couple of months.

Anything else, I can rent...I can always rent if I stay in on a weekend and want to veg out.

As for buying, I focus on getting the best possible games out and that's it.

If you go by the Mboards you will buy everything. When a game first comes out, you see the same post all the time " I love this game!!!" . You see that all day long, and the next week it is something else.

I keep a rotation of about 3 games. I buy the ones I know I'll be playing for a while. What I'm really enjoying right now is the game pass I have at Hollywodd video. they are about 5 mins from my house. If I'm in the mood for a game not worth buying, I run by and pick it up to play for a few days.

[jmood88]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

I'm not old like some of you guys(just kidding) but I don't have this problem really. I can't afford every game that I want so I usually buy two or three games a year(the one's that I really want) and just rent the one's that I think would be fun to play. I do get burned out on some games but that usually happens as a result of me playing the same game over and over again. The two games that I had to have I've bought, all that's left for me is Mass Effect and I'll be set as far as owning games go.

[Brian_OS]

Re: The Endgame Syndrome: Why do we abandon games?

Seriously, not joking, but I blame the Internet. We can find any info out months before a game comes out and then once it's out, we're already looking for the next big game. Back in the NES days, it was Nintendo Power or nothing...Gamepro and EGM were later. I remember seeing Hoops in a Nintendo Power, one screen shot, nothing more and I wanted it for close to 8 months.

Back in the Atari games, it was a box shot or game title and that's all it took. The games sold themselves.

There wasn't game info on games, spoilers, etc all over the place like now.

Could not agree more=! Back in the day, I would hit the book stores every week to see if a new Gamepro or EGM hit the stands. I would savor every word in those magazines and read them over and over. I even got to write an article in Videogames magazine. In those days I had to scrape every dime I had together to buy a game, so I played the hell out of anything I got my hands on! I even remember the days when I read the game manuals.

Now I have a PS3 (a tad dusty) 360, Wii and PS2. I am swimming in games I thought I have to have. I download all of the 360 demos. I have a membership to file planet where I download all the betas . All the while, my attention span is getting shorter and shorter.

Getting older and having kids take a mighty toll on a gamer. I long for the days when I would drive over and hour with a crippled tank to reach an objective in M-1 Abrams Tank Battle on my Genesis - minus a mortgage,car payments, garbage bill,water bill, etc

The internet slowly is sucking the gaming life out of me, one page refresh at a time.

If there are any old gamers like myself out there, go out of your way to see the movie KING OF KONG. It will bring back fond memories of the old arcade games.