Imaging Message Boards in 1988

[dbeth]

Just bringing up a "what if..." scenario: Go back 20 years and picture what gaming would be like if the internet existed in 1988 and there were forums instead of just gaming magazines.

I know gaming forum communities are just a small percentage of the overall gaming public, but how many people buy a game, open it up, and just play it to enjoy it and fun right away. Or do people open up a game, and instantly look for money plays, slider problems, bugs, etc....and then report to a message board instantly and everyone freaks out.

Imagine in 1988 if we were all upset about how unrealistic Donkey Kong was or how 10 yard fight wasn't realistic enough (sadly, could it get any more fake?). How the physics of Excitebike were terrible, how Ikari Warrior's AI was pathetic, or how unrealistic the jumping was in Double Dribble (remember being able to take off, and then go left and right in mid-air?).

Are we spoiled now? Do we have unrealistic expectations?

I'm just throwing this topic out there for discussion. Just play the "what if" game...enjoy!

[Skyboxer]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

The main thing is if we had all the media coverage (mags, internet etc..) we do now we'd have missed a lot of great games due to taking "reviews" to heart.
IMO.

[mgoblue]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

Those would be our first experiences with gaming, it's all "new", so therefore we wouldn't be as harsh with high expectations. It's more "Wow, we're getting a basketball video game, what's that?" and not "OMG Look at the horrible low post play in Double Dribble".

I do think we as gamers (especially sports gamers) have unrealistic expectations. Right now IMO the limiting factor is AI, and I doubt we'll have the leap people want in AI technology, therefore leading to disappointing (to people) games.

Personally, I'm just letting myself have fun and am not trying to be overly critical. Sometimes I think a lot of the hardcore gamers here don't even want to have fun with a game. I don't get how fiddling with sliders for hours, days, years is fun, but to each their own.

[goh]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

There'd be nothing but "Why don't these players have names!" topics.

[dbeth]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

imagine Pitfall with sliders.....

imagine Pac-Man as a first-person gobbler.....

imagine people complaining about sock length in Lakers vs. Celtics.....

[skitch]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

imagine Pitfall with sliders.....

imagine Pac-Man as a first-person gobbler.....

imagine people complaining about sock length in Lakers vs. Celtics.....

a first person gobbler hahaha

[CMH]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

There would be endless debates on whether the Double Dragon twins were better or worse than the Battletoads.

[Jonesy]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

There would be endless debates on whether the Double Dragon twins were better or worse than the Battletoads.

But seriously dude the double dragon twins would "pwn" the battletoads.

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

Personally, I'm just letting myself have fun and am not trying to be overly critical. Sometimes I think a lot of the hardcore gamers here don't even want to have fun with a game. I don't get how fiddling with sliders for hours, days, years is fun, but to each their own.

I made a conscience decision a few years back to look at gaming with this mindset. It's been SO rewarding!

[Ice Cream Truck]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

I was having so much from with games before I found gaming review sites and message boards. Games that weren't too good I'd still play for hours. Now I won't even touch em

[Chaos81]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

imagine Pac-Man as a first-person gobbler.....

That would be awesome.

[Hooe]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

imagine Pitfall with sliders.....

imagine Pac-Man as a first-person gobbler.....

imagine people complaining about sock length in Lakers vs. Celtics.....

If message boards like OS existed in 1988, the foremost thing that jumps to my mind is that there'd only be 16 colors and the only font would be FixedSys. Further, we'd be talking about just the FIRST iteration of John Madden Football, six men on the field and all.

[dbeth]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

We'd also probably talk about how this EASN presentation by EA Sports was AWESOME (highlights from other games going on!) and that EA Sports, while they may get bigger, probably will never be outdone in the presentation aspects of games ever.

Umm......

[Rasco11]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

Does Tengen even watch baseball? Look at Cartman (oops)...I mean, Wally Backman's head? There's no way it is that big. How do they mess him up and yet Andres Galarraga is almost flawless?

[Berliner]

Re: Imaging Message Boards in 1988

Those would be our first experiences with gaming, it's all "new", so therefore we wouldn't be as harsh with high expectations. It's more "Wow, we're getting a basketball video game, what's that?" and not "OMG Look at the horrible low post play in Double Dribble".

I do think we as gamers (especially sports gamers) have unrealistic expectations. Right now IMO the limiting factor is AI, and I doubt we'll have the leap people want in AI technology, therefore leading to disappointing (to people) games.

Personally, I'm just letting myself have fun and am not trying to be overly critical. Sometimes I think a lot of the hardcore gamers here don't even want to have fun with a game. I don't get how fiddling with sliders for hours, days, years is fun, but to each their own.

Why won't we have the leap in AI technology?