Trend of unfinished games

[Zoltan]

Its very rare to see a finished game. Some games look like they are finished but they are not. If we divide games in to "start", "Mid game" and "End game" you will notice trend to. I think reviews need to tackle these different parts of the games more.

"Start": For most games most of the game is found here. There may be a tease and a grind to open new aspects of the game which if fine. Its always fun to think about the game your playing developing into something for fun and less redundant. The trend is if devs think this part of the game is good enough that its almost finished even though its really only one third of the way.

"Mid Game": The trend is that this part of the game often becomes very redundant and this is where most game lose their players or they lose interest. The developer may have had plans for this section but did not have enough time to implement them all. Pressure from the financial end also contributes to the not spending much time on this. Maybe too much time was spent on the start game and not enough here. Mid games should be designed to maintain player interest so they can progress to the end game. This part of the game tends to get very buggy.

"End game": many games are deliberately not finished here. Some games rush these and you feel like you were just starting a game that was getting interesting and suddenly its finished. Other games may delay the end by giving you a sense of eternal grind. We get the feeling here that not a lot of effort was made here by the developers and we become very disappointed in the amount of time spent on the game and regret starting this game in the first place. This is the part of the game with the most bugs. Sometimes it get so buggy the end of the game is a bug.

The solution is for devs to plan better how these parts of the game keep players on their toes. They should know by now that designing a game takes much longer than they forecast and the financial side needs to have patience for when its final release.

Mods will also increase play ability. I find it amazing how many mod devs will give vast amount of their time for free to enhance a game. Devs that don't consider allowing their games to be modded are cutting down the games play ability by 10 times of its potential. Player content is very vital to a games lifespan.

Devs need to finish their games properly so players can get satisfaction. If they want to do more just sell additional content via add ons. That way they can get paid for adding content. Whether it extends the game past the end game or adds mini games within the game.

I find that games that have a lot of mini games inside of it eliminate the feel of repetition. Having the option of doing something different with the game you like everyday helps in its life span.

For those that have a large collection of games you know what I am talking about. You have a large collection of unfinished games you got bored of and a lot of content you never got to see because you did not want to suffer to get yourself there. It was easier to just buy a new game.

I think most players are not as worried about game cost as devs and their financial end are. They are willing to pay more for a game that keeps them on there toes. Devs need to pay more attention on how this works to bring value to their creations.

[Satoru]

Lunacy の投稿を引用：

The literal definition of Early Access is that there should be ongoing updates until it's a fully released game that no longer needs content updates.

https://store.steampowered.com/earlyaccessfaq/?snr=1_5_9_

Note "what I arbitrarily define Early Access is" is not what it is

WHEN WILL THESE GAMES RELEASE?
Its up to the developer to determine when they are ready to 'release'. Some developers have a concrete deadline in mind, while others will get a better sense as the development of the game progresses. You should be aware that some teams will be unable to 'finish' their game. So you should only buy an Early Access game if you are excited about playing it in its current state.

Its literally in the FAQ. Do not assume risk if you don't like said risk.

If they don't we call that abandonware, which treads the line of illegality.

Note

1) 'abandonware' is not a term/concept/etc. Its literally just made up nonsense
2) since you made up something, the thing you made up by definition cannot be illegal

[Aachen]

Lunacy の投稿を引用：

The literal definition of Early Access is that there should be ongoing updates until it's a fully released game that no longer needs content updates. If they don't we call that abandonware, which treads the line of illegality.

That’s a really poor definition of the term. No mention of IP owners being difficult-to-impossible to either establish or contact?

Not that it matters. It’s also an informal term.

[Start_Running]

Lunacy の投稿を引用：

Paratech2008 の投稿を引用：

No, You just accept the game as is when you buy it. There may or may not be updates. That is advertised on ALL EA games.

The literal definition of Early Access is that there should be ongoing updates until it's a fully released game that no longer needs content updates. If they don't we call that abandonware, which treads the line of illegality.

You do realize 'Ongoing' covers once a week, once, a month, once a year, even once a decade; right?"

And abandonware is a non-term. There is no such thing. if it still has early access , it is still under development.

[Blitz4]

Zoltan の投稿を引用：

OP

I mentioned some clues for why players don't finish games. I personally believe Early Access games should be excluded from this conversation. A professional reviewer isn't allowed to discuss Early Access games, why here. But I also believe multiplayer Early Access games should no be allowed for sale, instead they are only able to do a closed beta for free, this is only to reduce the impact on population and allow for a real launch. I would wager that is the biggest issue with multiplayer Early Access games, them being in development for 5+ years and the population at release is less than a previous peak created during Early Access.

I mentioned the open world trend and how it's not a good thing. But players are convinced it is because their friends play it, because it's advertised. Most open world games are a waste of time and don't create any positive change or new ideas to better the industry.

Regarding the technical limits. I spoke with a dev from Baldur's Gate. I wanted to know, and I'm ot the only one, why games or specifically Baldur's Gate in 1998 was able to pack more content than what we typically find in top-down turn-based tile D&D rpg's like Solasta and BG3. He gave some good insight.

Brent Knowles の投稿を引用：

I think the main reason games like this are harder to make are the AAA requirements. Games that require full voiceover and high fidelity art require far more coordination and locking down of content than what we had to worry about on BG/NWN. We could add all kinds of things without really talking to anyone. Now it it has to be prepped and planned years in advance because an area might cost a million dollars to make.

Until AI starts building all of our art in games for us, I don't see this really changing (its hard to have a massive content heavy game with voice over and performance capture and realistic looking landscapes). I wouldn't blame the D&D ruleset at all -- even the super complex 2e rule set is trivial compared to the cost of making art in games.

source

[Start_Running]

Blitz4 の投稿を引用：

Zoltan の投稿を引用：

OP

I mentioned some clues for why players don't finish games. I personally believe Early Access games should be excluded from this conversation. A professional reviewer isn't allowed to discuss Early Access games, why here.

WHat are you talking about. Pro reviewers review and talk about early access all the time.

I mentioned the open world trend and how it's not a good thing. But players are convinced it is because their friends play it, because it's advertised. Most open world games are a waste of time and don't create any positive change or new ideas to better the industry.

Open world does allow the marketing to talk about 100+ hour gameplay and many stories to discover yadda yadda.

[Blitz4]

Start_Running の投稿を引用：

Blitz4 の投稿を引用：

I mentioned some clues for why players don't finish games. I personally believe Early Access games should be excluded from this conversation. A professional reviewer isn't allowed to discuss Early Access games, why here.

WHat are you talking about. Pro reviewers review and talk about early access all the time.

I mentioned the open world trend and how it's not a good thing. But players are convinced it is because their friends play it, because it's advertised. Most open world games are a waste of time and don't create any positive change or new ideas to better the industry.

Open world does allow the marketing to talk about 100+ hour gameplay and many stories to discover yadda yadda.

A disected post. cute buttercup.

Not a review. you're not selling me on open world creating a better gaming experience for all video games.

EDIT: oh ya. I guess you couldn't disect the rest of the post? I'm curious are you a developer if not, what's your point?

[primeinsurrection]

You have to remember these are alpha and beta games. We are not even supposed to be playing them. Steam wasnt supposed to be the main stream. Its a hosting site for indie fans.

[Start_Running]

Blitz4 の投稿を引用：

Start_Running の投稿を引用：

WHat are you talking about. Pro reviewers review and talk about early access all the time.


Open world does allow the marketing to talk about 100+ hour gameplay and many stories to discover yadda yadda.

A disected post. cute buttercup.

Not a review. you're not selling me on open world creating a better gaming experience for all video games.

And at what point was I trying to sell you or anyone on Open-World games, At what point did I say iopen world creates a better experience, lett alonmg a better experience in all games?

M8. Might want read the post before you fly off.
I said. Open world allows the marketing department to rtalk about +!00 gamep[lay, etc. I.e it makes for great marketing spin.

EDIT: oh ya. I guess you couldn't disect the rest of the post? I'm curious are you a developer if not, what's your point?

There was nothing else in the post worth addressing, aside from your blatantly false statement and your clear personal bias against Open world games.

Are you a dance choreographer? If not. WHat's your point?

[Zoltan]

I don't think the game genre matters. The issue is across the board. I think a lot of players would admit that the best games would be the games out there merged into one game. Dev teams are not big enough to get the job done. Steam is allowing the selling off unfinished games.

If a game gets unfinished and released, steam should have a button to press that refunds all the buyers their money. That would change some dev behaviors.

[Zekiran]

Zoltan の投稿を引用：

. I think a lot of players would admit that the best games would be the games out there merged into one game.

You would be very, very mistaken there.

[Paratech2008]

Anyone remember Kingdom of amular? It bankrupted the company because it had to sell over 4 million copies to break even? And Cyberpunk 2077 being temporarily pulled from the PlayStation Store?

[Kargor]

Zoltan の投稿を引用：

I think a lot of players would admit that the best games would be the games out there merged into one game.

You are shooting for "max average-ness"; this has never worked. Games need to commit to something and go with it, even if it means they won't be able to sell the game to everyone.

[Blitz4]

Zoltan の投稿を引用：

I don't think the game genre matters. The issue is across the board. I think a lot of players would admit that the best games would be the games out there merged into one game. Dev teams are not big enough to get the job done. Steam is allowing the selling off unfinished games.

If a game gets unfinished and released, steam should have a button to press that refunds all the buyers their money. That would change some dev behaviors.

What game though?
Name at least one, right.

[Start_Running]

Zoltan の投稿を引用：

I don't think the game genre matters. The issue is across the board. I think a lot of players would admit that the best games would be the games out there merged into one game. Dev teams are not big enough to get the job done. Steam is allowing the selling off unfinished games.

Define Unfinished. Unsatisfactory != unfinished.

If a game gets unfinished and released, steam should have a button to press that refunds all the buyers their money. That would change some dev behaviors.

yeah. They'd pull all their games from steam.

[Blitz4]

Zoltan の投稿を引用：

Its very rare to see a finished game. Some games look like they are finished but they are not. If we divide games in to "start", "Mid game" and "End game" you will notice trend to. I think reviews need to tackle these different parts of the games more.

"Start": For most games most of the game is found here. There may be a tease and a grind to open new aspects of the game which if fine. Its always fun to think about the game your playing developing into something for fun and less redundant. The trend is if devs think this part of the game is good enough that its almost finished even though its really only one third of the way.

"Mid Game": The trend is that this part of the game often becomes very redundant and this is where most game lose their players or they lose interest. The developer may have had plans for this section but did not have enough time to implement them all. Pressure from the financial end also contributes to the not spending much time on this. Maybe too much time was spent on the start game and not enough here. Mid games should be designed to maintain player interest so they can progress to the end game. This part of the game tends to get very buggy.

"End game": many games are deliberately not finished here. Some games rush these and you feel like you were just starting a game that was getting interesting and suddenly its finished. Other games may delay the end by giving you a sense of eternal grind. We get the feeling here that not a lot of effort was made here by the developers and we become very disappointed in the amount of time spent on the game and regret starting this game in the first place. This is the part of the game with the most bugs. Sometimes it get so buggy the end of the game is a bug.

The solution is for devs to plan better how these parts of the game keep players on their toes. They should know by now that designing a game takes much longer than they forecast and the financial side needs to have patience for when its final release.

Mods will also increase play ability. I find it amazing how many mod devs will give vast amount of their time for free to enhance a game. Devs that don't consider allowing their games to be modded are cutting down the games play ability by 10 times of its potential. Player content is very vital to a games lifespan.

Devs need to finish their games properly so players can get satisfaction. If they want to do more just sell additional content via add ons. That way they can get paid for adding content. Whether it extends the game past the end game or adds mini games within the game.

I find that games that have a lot of mini games inside of it eliminate the feel of repetition. Having the option of doing something different with the game you like everyday helps in its life span.

For those that have a large collection of games you know what I am talking about. You have a large collection of unfinished games you got bored of and a lot of content you never got to see because you did not want to suffer to get yourself there. It was easier to just buy a new game.

I think most players are not as worried about game cost as devs and their financial end are. They are willing to pay more for a game that keeps them on there toes. Devs need to pay more attention on how this works to bring value to their creations.

You haven't named one game. Your profile is private. You're just a troll.