Gamer 'Generation Gap' Expectations... I.e. Simulator vs. Twitch.

[CapnSnuggie]

(Sorry in advance about the long read)

I'm reading posts about 'Too many buttons', 'offline mode', 'no tools' and it got me to thinking.

There recently have been a few documentaries about 'Gamer Generations', and the gaps between them.

Like in Arcade reference, it would be: Pong to Pac Man to Street Fighter in terms of 'mentality'.
In consoles, it would be pre-8bit (Pong), classic 8-bit (odyssey ii, Atari, Intellivision, etc etc), 16-bit.

You get the idea...

Classic arcade gamers of the early 80s (Asteroids/Pac Man) grew into the late 80s (Street Fighter/Mortal Kombat) era, but most haven't gone Backwards. I.e. Street Fighters think Classic games don't have enough buttons, and Classic thinks new games have too many.

Computer gaming is the interesting one. Because it had all the advantages of Arcade, Console, and then some, and the progression between generations is much faster. But for the most part, classic PC games were about story, thought, or strategy (because some PCs weren't fast enough). But now faster computing, dense RAM and Graphic expansion have resulted in super-fast updates and appeal to 'Twitch' play. Be like 'Wizardry' vs 'Wolfenstein' or 'Kings Quest' vs. 'Doom'.

And then there are 'Flight Simulator' enthusiasts... Who have always remained a constant through the years, from the original 'Flight Simulator' (which had a WWI flight mode in it) to some of the latest 6-Screen Yoke Having Control Panel Button Pushing experiences.

Modern games are a whole different animal, because there is a whole generation of gamer who now may not have ever seen an arcade game, nor a pre-32 bit console, or even the Original Elite!

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I guess what i'm thinking is, Elite is a Space Sim, that has had this same wondrous goal since 1984. And over these years (80s, 90s, and now 10s) has tried to achieve THAT SAME GOAL, but the technology had vastly improved. But all gamer types (one button to many buttons, slow story/strategy to uber-twitch, WWI to Space Futuristic StarFlight) have an interest, and Elite: Dangerous appeals to all in some fantastic way.

In essence, the thought-provoking idea i'm trying to share and am curious about your thoughts are, is:

From 1984's Elite, to 2014's Elite: Dangerous, when there there have been such vastly huge paradigm shifts in gaming and technology, the goal and appeal has been the same.

I think this is, in a way, an outstanding achievement regarding the persistence of creating a world (Universe in fact) that is timeless and not affected by the influences of technology and marketing.

It's a way to 'Live the Dream'.

And because of this, is why so many people are very passionate.

In a way, i'm saying 'Elite' is the pursuit of the dream that many of us share, and it transcends technology limitations. Which is why so many people are so very passionate about it. And regardless of technology, era, or even age, they want it preserved with all of it's perceived features. (But also want to see it soar as new technologies allow for new experiences)

The problem is, some 'features' are undefinable, and affected by limited (albeit powerful) technology, but unlimited (therefore exceptionally powerful) expectation; Hence all of the latest explosion of emotion regarding the possibilities of changes in perceived delivery expectations.

Again, i just wanted to share a passing thought, and see what you other's are thinking about 'Elite' and how it influences you, and how you are influenced by it.. Especially in the recent week where so many emotions have been influenced.

Hope i got the idea across, and am curious about your ideas as well.

Snuggie...

 

[Tempered]

I think your entire premise is false. Different types of games appeal to different types of personalities, regardless of the age. The only qualifying factor is the mental capacity to grasp the games concept. That is, you can't expect a 2 year old to grasp how to play a flight sim, although I have seen 4 year olds attempt it. The same qualifier applies to the elderly. Though a 60 year old may want to play a twitch game, they may not have the reflexes to make it an enjoyable experience.

 

[Mikey2305]

The only games i really enjoy playing are turned based strategy. Have supported The HOMM series for many years. Took this 60 year old brain and fingers quite a while to master the mechanics of ED but now can do the trading strategy exploring mining aspect of it with confidence and competence and loving it. Never had any interest in first person shooters but intend to have a go soon inopen play and before the wipe.myou never know i might surprise myself!

 

[CapnSnuggie]

I think your entire premise is false. Different types of games appeal to different types of personalities, regardless of the age. The only qualifying factor is the mental capacity to grasp the games concept. That is, you can't expect a 2 year old to grasp how to play a flight sim, although I have seen 4 year olds attempt it. The same qualifier applies to the elderly. Though a 60 year old may want to play a twitch game, they may not have the reflexes to make it an enjoyable experience.

I may have presented it wrong, but you got the idea.

I wasn't saying about the 'Capability' of a person to twitch or click, but that no matter what era/style/reflex you were influenced by, there is something in the Elite Universe Gameplay that appeals to you.

If you like it, you'll find a way to enjoy the part that appeals to your style of gameplay, and may accidentally enjoy other styles as well.

But that's what may be part of the ragefest as of late. You change one part of the game or expectation, and if it affects one style of play, you have the potential to upset a generation of gameplayers who see this game as their style.

Again, hard to quantify, but i think you shared my point.

It's not the style of the game, but the substance.

Forgive my inability to share the idea adequately. :/

 

[Chek]

Interesting post.

I think it's in our nature to explore and to extend new boundaries and the next obvious step is to venture into the universe, even though that venture has been somewhat frustrated since the hope of the space race. The Elite franchise would appear to encapsulate this in a way that nothing else really seems to, without turning it into a plaything. It's more of an experience than a game and we do all experience things differently.

 

[metatheurgist]

Noooo, I don't think the prevalence of twitch play is about faster machines.
.
The simpler graphics and lack of memory for complex story telling pretty much made all of the early games twitch games anyway.
.
When I was younger I enjoyed testing my reflexes and reaction speed with twitch games, now that mostly bores me so I look for games that have a slightly more cerebral component. I think the popularity of twitch games now is more due to the casual market preferring games where thinking is not a major component. Most of them play to "relax" and that means no brain strain.

 

[Toscaner]

i would also say the premise is not true, it's less black and white and much more grey

i do enjoy many different types of games, like RTS, FPS and MOBAs, depending on my mood and if playing alone or with friends
and i also like slow games, like the old scrumm-adventures or turn based games
i'd say i like good games, basically

and there may be some trends with the different generations, i think it's too generalizing to pin certain game types to certain generations
i tend to think all people like good games all the time

which brings me to the point, where i agree with you - Elite is something special that can appeal to different target groups
it's like a piece of art, which is not as dependent on trends and time
it has some quality, because there is a vision behind it, and the passion to realize it

 

[Chek]

which brings me to the point, where i agree with you - Elite is something special that can appeal to different target groups
it's like a piece of art, which is not as dependent on trends and time
it has some quality, because there is a vision behind it, and the passion to realize it

Wow!

Elite as a work of art, that actually fits.

 

[Tarman]

Totally not the divisive topic I was expecting in here. Rep for the pleasant surprise CapnSnuggie. Keep warm out there.

 

[kilvenny]

I haven't twitch gamed other than Gran Tourismo for years. ED is making me fight the stiffness and pain that is in my hands. It's one of the very few games that would make me do that. I loved SC before the interdiction mechanic because I could rest my hands and just sit there for how long it took.

Generally I think its a game that can genuinely appeal to a wide range of play groups. The over 40's are playing for nostalgia and as the planet landing comes out and people can get out of the ship I suspect it will bring the youngsters in droves.

 

[Krait_79]

I like a wide range of games from Battlefield and the NHL series to the Total War games, civilisations, minecraft, and then even stuff like train simulator where i like creating landscapes as opposed to just driving trains in it.

Anyway Elite is a curious one because firstly I'm not a massive Sci-Fi fan but I just love everything there is to love about it The original captivated me for hours on end and this one looks well on course to doing the same.

What's interesting also is i tend to rotate my games. I'll play for a while then maybe not touch it for months. However with Elite whilst i do still play other stuff i find myself coming back regularly again and again.