Follow

When I think about all the top 10 games lists, most of them are focused either on the cultural impact or on the story/sold units.

But does that really define gaming? When I think of gaming as a separate art form, it is defined mostly by emerging gameplay and the depth of functions used to provide your experience.

So, that would make the list look something like:
Factorio
X4: Foundations
.
.

So, what games can you think of, that provide a true deep gaming experience? And is there a good word, that would describe this kind of games? Because I really think, that I am mising the vocabulary to even talk about this topic.

· · Web · 2 · 1 · 2
Video games are defined by interactivity, which movies, TV shows and books do not offer. That doesn't mean that other elements of a game doesn't have to be good for the game to be good though.
Just like how a movie sets itself apart from a conventional book novel by having visuals and acting, it still needs more than good visuals and acting to be a good movie.

@Jens_Rasmussen@poa.st

Tabletop games are interactive, that isn't the defining feature I don't think.

Vidya is holistic. The parts coming together to create an experience.

Tabletop games are not "media" on the same level that video games are, although I suppose on some level they still qualify as such.
>Holistic
Yeah, exactly. You can't judge video games only on what makes them different from other media.

@LukeAlmighty most are based on the cultural impact, yeah. I think that's fair, since a game with a large cultural impact is also probably a pretty damn good game. But it would be interesting to see a list of games that practically invented or defined entire genres. I suspect there would be some overlap there. Half Life would be on both lists for sure, for instance.

@beardalaxy
Huh?
There were many FPS games before half life...
I might be really missing your point there, since it seems like a prime example of the negative to me.

@beardalaxy
If something, I would gave to compare Half life to AVP2, with 3 multiplayer compatible yet still different playstyles, all included in a single game.

@LukeAlmighty half life is what I would call genre defining, it marks the end of the more level based "boomer shooters" and has more narrative/exploration elements. You can't really pick the very beginning of the genre because those are often pretty rudimentary and lack polish. Like, I would pick super metroid over metroid 1. But we could probably debate all of this for hours lol and that's why every list is going to be subjective or aggregate at the end of the day.

@beardalaxy
I am sorry, but I just don't see it.
Cutscenes were in games were before half life, and shooting/explaration too. It doesn't seem like a combination, that allows for a new depth, just for a more currated experience.

If you formed the argument about immersion itself as a feature, then sure. I could see half life being a bit more immersive then doom. But I still don't see it as defining of anything.

> You can't really pick the very beginning of the genre because those are often pretty rudimentary and lack polish.

Who do you think you're talking to? I grew up eating nothing but jank.

@beardalaxy
Fuck, I think I finally understand the artisatic snobs.

Read in fake franch accent:
The cultural impact is a fools tool to apraise the greatness of some games. A true gamer would see that the feature depth that leads to an emergent gameplay is true value that games can offer.
HAHahahaha. Imagine thinking that some pesants waste time on their Half life SLOP while I can feast on X4 🍷

Sign in to participate in the conversation
Game Liberty Mastodon

Mainly gaming/nerd instance for people who value free speech. Everyone is welcome.