Pucking Ridiculous (The OBG Chronicles): Realism, Really?

[RaychelSnr]

Thank you once again for reading another edition of Pucking Ridiculous (The OBG Chronicles). It has been a while since my last article, but this time around I want to broach the subject of realism in hockey and sports games in general.

Is It Possible, and do we understand the side effects of the demand for more realism?

In this edition of Pucking Ridiculous, we will address both topics.

Read More - Pucking Ridiculous (The OBG Chronicles): Realism, Really?

[BrngDaRckus]

Moving forward I agree that games should focus on that "perfect" balance b/w fun gameplay (that stays true to that sport) and realism. i.e., NBA 2K11, NHL 11.

IMO, the way to inject more realism into games is to continue to iron out glitches & A.I. and SIGNATURE ANIMATIONS. Developers need to keep making players feel/play different to the user and playing like their real life counterparts.

[Blzer]

I'm all about authenticity. Maybe it's not the same thing as "good gameplay" or "realism," but if something is being regarded as a representation of something that we are fully aware of, I love to have that authenticity feel. It was a huge reason I never looked further into The Bourne Conspiracy as Matt Damon's Bourne character wasn't portrayed in it.

[jupebox]

Ever since I've started playing video games, I have hoped for more realism. With each passing year, it becomes exciting to see how "real" the games are getting. I wonder, though, if people will reach a point where they no longer want realism. At a point, video games will "simulate realism" -- such as psychology, chance, weather cancellations, etc. -- but those could interfere with the gaming (just as it interferes in real life). In theory, I think that I would still like those developments, but it is difficult to say. If you push a button at the right moment, it will be difficult to accept an outcome that is "by chance" different than what you actually did -- so in effect, the gaming result is different than the reality of your reality!

[Crash Davis]

its about time someone said it, its all about balance the things that really need to be authentic are the presentation of games. If you can capture the feel of the atmosphere it does wonders, however over the years ive noticed im not the purist i thought i was towards gameplay. I can respect Higher difficulties being more authentic and true to life, but overall Im thinking it shouldnt be all over the game. Case in point NBA 2k11, a great game, but guess what Its not my favourite sport and I dont know the ins and outs of how to play efficently, im an outsider, and while I enjoy watching NBA games im far from a good BBaller, so when I get my butt handed to me on pro (2of4) difficulty with an all star fantasy team or never complete hardly any tasks on my player mode, it ruins what could have been a great experience. Keep it hardcore for most but spread the playing field a bit. Needless to say 2k11 is getting traded in for something I know will be alot more fun, NBA JAM.
People will like to take their shots on this post, like get better etc... thats not the point, there can always be optional arcade ish value to a game just to broaden the auidience thats all. perhaps were looking into the future of sports gaming, two games in one disc where at the start it will ask u if u want authentic_______ (sport there) Balanced_______ or Arcade________ tell me thats not thinking ahead

[actionhank]

Damn the jinx!
I didn't expect the Blues run to last forever.
Although it was nice seeing the blues message boards with a few threads calling for "must trades!" after the first big loss.
I want realism in gameplay, and the way things work in game.
I don't want 20 minute periods, but i would like to have shots that should go in, go in every now and again.

[canucksss]

great article and well said. been a gamer since NES days. i love sports games in particular hockey and basketball. in what u mentioned about realism thats what im looking for in the sport games. from stats, gameplay etc all must be similar or close to the real ones.

im still waiting for your sliders OBG with the new patch and tuner =)

[thedudedominick]

For me the realism I search for isn't in playing full length games, but for the players and the reactions to represent the real sport. I want the players to play like real players on the ice or on the field. In hockey I would love to see more stick play to help add the next bit of realism. In football I would love to see the hand play and interaction between WRs and DBs. Just a couple of things that would add to the realism without taking away from the fun of the game IMO.

[sanders]

This hits the nail on the head. I've heard many people complain that NHL 11 isn't as good as NHL 10. I can point to one single thing as the cause. They made the game more realistic. It's much harder to go through an entire team deking your a$$ off and scoring highlight reel goals. A lot of people don't like it because that's what makes the game fun for them and other people love it because then when are able to do that it makes it that much more special.

Do people really want to play a game against a computer team that employs the trap and spend the game dumping and chasing and really having to work work work for maybe a goal or two? I don't think so in probably about 95% or the people out there.

I love the fact that now you have to make nice plays to score as much as you have to make nice dekes.

[Dazraz]

There does have to be a fine balance between realism & fun gameplay. Most individuals can usually mess around with the sliders to find a medium they are happy with. I think the best way developers can make a game feel realistic is in the broadcast presentation. This is one the key reasons the NBA 2K & MLB the Show series stand out. For me the lack of presentation is one of the weakest areas of NHL 11.

I have to disagree with your theory of playing full 20 minute periods. No amount of meddling with the sliders will give you realistic shot/goal stats over this length of time.

[PapaOso]

I love the title of this article and, personally, I think a 100% realistic game would be miserable. Think about it, there would be teams in the game that you would never want to play as because they wouldn't have a chance of winning. A single game would take hours to play. Don't even get me started on reviewing the fine print of EVERY single 100% realistic contract that you have with EVERY single one of your players. The games are convoluted and complicated enough already. Don't take out the ever shrinking bit of fun thats left in there.

[mgoblue!]

Solid read but I disagree that you need to play full length games to get full length results or realistic gameplay. I never sim games in any of my dynasties or franchises but I also don't play full length games and I still get solid, realistic gameplay. Realism doesn't just pertain to full length games. And those gamers who call for more perfection have every right to. Perhaps some go about it the wrong way but there is nothing wrong with a gamer asking for more from his/her game.

[GivenWings]

Great article and very, very well written Stephen !. I will definitely be coming back for more.

Just a side note. You mentioned your "slider guruness" and I was wondering what you're currently using and if you can hook a brother up with some advice, or maybe even the settings themselves?.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[onlybygrace]

Great article and very, very well written Stephen !. I will definitely be coming back for more.

Just a side note. You mentioned your "slider guruness" and I was wondering what you're currently using and if you can hook a brother up with some advice, or maybe even the settings themselves?.

Thanks,
Jonathan

They are on the slider forum...

and thanks for the kind words.

They are in the EA NHL Sliders sub-forum and are entitled "OBG's Organic Shooting Sliders" or something...

[CX1329]

I like my games to be as realistic and authentic as they can be so that I may, within the limitations of a console, enjoy the experience of actually being in the game. I'll never be a basketball player like Kobe, so I want to control him and do the exact same things that he does in the NBA, for example. And by that, I don't mean leaping 50 feet in the air, doing a front flip and then dunking the ball. Like I said, I like realism and authenticity.

To me, it's all about being able to faithfully emulate the sports that I watch in real life. On the other hand, I don't go to the same extremes as some people on here, that like to control all the teams in the franchise modes, replicate the trades that occur in real life and such. They have every right to play the game in whichever fashion they choose to, obviously, but personally, the in-game universe is where I draw the realism line.