Game of the generation

[Eel O'Brian]

Well, the handheld situation is quite different in Japan compared to say, America.

Is it? I thought phones/iOS were killing handhelds all over

admittedly, i am talking out of my ass and haven't taken the ten seconds to google any information

[Cerveza mas fina]

Well 3ds sold more last week in japan only then it did in a whole month in the us. Thats how big the gap has become.

[Himu]

In America, dedicated handhelds are not doing nearly as well as ios. Meanwhile in Japan, 3ds is doing pretty well for itself considering. In America, it seems that most kids want idevices, whereas in Japan they still like dedicated handhelds such as 3ds.

[Momo]

Isnt Konami and Namco-Bandai pretty strong financially though? I remember thinking so based on a conversation I had ages ago.

[Himu]

Um. lol

Konami couldn't pay back a 15 million dollar loan. I have no clue how they're able to afford two Metal Gear Solid hd projects.

[Momo]

EDIT: @Himu Their market cap is like 3 and a half billion and they make healthy profits

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-11-konami-enjoys-social-gaming-success-eyes-zynga-partnership

Unless they have a ton of debt I dont know about


@Oscar, yeah thats what I thought. And yeah I know SammySEGA are strong, just wish their gaming revenue rivaled their pachinko monies so SEGA wouldnt have to be the lepers begging for just one more hit in the merger/acquisition

[Himu]

Whoops, knew I forgot one.  Namco-Bandai has a pretty good plan for their games division, though it is largely domestically-focused as well.  They are supporting smartphones to a higher extent than some others, though.

Konami is fairly financially strong because their other investments are quite profitable.  Ditto on Bamco, and if we want to talk the company on the whole, Sammy (SEGA).  Nintendo also has a lot of money coming in from their toys and merchandise (particularly Pokemon-related).

One of the reasons these companies are financially strong, though, is that they aren't chucking $20 million projects at the wall to see what will stick.  Outside Capcom, of course, haha.

why were konami unable to pay back the loan?

[Himu]

Ohhhhh. So is Konami getting their profits from patchinko? Because that's the only thing I can think aside from PES that will net them a profit. MGS4 was over 4 years ago after all.

If they've got the money, why don't they make a new (GOOD) Suikoden? Or a Castlevania? Sheer laziness?

[Momo]

Ohhhhh. So is Konami getting their profits from patchinko? Because that's the only thing I can think aside from PES that will net them a profit. MGS4 was over 4 years ago after all.

No SEGA is getting their monies from pachinko. Konami is gut deep in GREE and other stuff, pachinko is small for them compared to Sammy.

For a bit of perspective, Konami's business breaks down (by contribution to net revenue) into Digital Entertainment (53 per cent), Health & Fitness (31 per cent), Gaming & Systems (nine per cent) and Pachinko & Pachinko Slot Machines (seven per cent).[/size]

[Himu]

Fitness...centres?

[Momo]

Fitness...centres?

Sony makes more money selling insurance than on gaming too

[Himu]

Lords of Shadow? Never heard of it. Wasn't the last CV Order of Ecclesia? Or Harmony of Despair? Have there been new CV's since that game?

[Himu]

Pretty sad considering 10 years ago when ps2 was in its wake, everyone thought gaming would be even bigger.

[D3RANG3D]

Pro Evolution Soccer showed up on the Steam Registry.

[Momo]

Yeah, gaming's a pretty risky market to be in these days, especially console development.  Fitness Centres, though.  Everyone needs exercise!  And insurance is a good bet, too.  And pachinko.  Gaming, though?  The risks have never been bigger, and the expected reward has never been worse.

Looking at that breakdown I didnt realize that so much of Konami's money comes from "Digital Entertainment". I expect that of Scamco with their name being plasted over so many animes and stuff but not Konami at all.

[maxy]

Focus on handhelds(3DS) in Japan,smartphones in the West.That could work nicely for Japanese companies.

Just bring some quality and reasonably priced content.

[Momo]

Focus on handhelds(3DS) in Japan,smartphones in the West.That could work nicely for Japanese companies.

Just bring some quality and reasonably priced content.

Unless it's like Katamari, Ace Attorneys or something, Japanese games (at least the ones I want to play) would be impossible to play on smartphones. Unless google/apple makes a big deal about joypad support or something.

[maxy]

They should make new turn based stuff then

Games like Lost Odyssey could be easily played on a smartphone.

[Momo]

If smartphones is what it takes to get TB systems back, I'll take it

I dunno Momo, you were kind of moaning about FF5 being on iOS yesterday, and RPGs are certainly fine on touchscreens.

FF5 is my fav FF and i dont have an iOS device hence my moan, dont really have an issue with mobile platforms apart from that it cant cater for Shmups, Platformers and such. I'm fine playing ace attorney, nobi nobi boy and such thing on mobile.

[Momo]

Edited in an explanation =P

I mean I don't hate it, spend ages playing Kairosoft games, Management games, and some of Square Enix's card games and VNs on my phone/tablet. I'd just be dismayed if Japan focuses entirely on it because I would lose a ton of genres that japan does very uniquely

I hope you recover from your Andrexocity with regards to smartphone gaming, Momo. 

Oh come on, smartphones arent gaming consoles. I cant very well carry two around

[Rahxephon91]

I'm not going to lie. I really can't see myself playing on my phone, nor do I really want to play on handhelds. I like to sit on my couch and play my games on my tv. When I'm not near my tv I rather do stuff other then playing video games. I mean when I'm sitting down to play on my consoles that's my designated gaming time and thats how I like to set my routine.

To see and hear that is were Japanese gaming is going, is disheartening.

[Rahxephon91]

I'm not going to lie. I really can't see myself playing on my phone, nor do I really want to play on handhelds. I like to sit on my couch and play my games on my tv. When I'm not near my tv I rather do stuff other then playing video games. I mean when I'm sitting down to play on my consoles that's my designated gaming time and thats how I like to set my routine.

To see and hear that is were Japanese gaming is going, is disheartening.

Well then, you're going to have to make do with the trickle that comes along.  Go back and play some classics perhaps?  You may want to get a girlfriend or something to fill in the rest of the time.

pssh girlfriends. This is why I got back into comics, because I can afford them with there being so little games I want to buy.

[Phoenix Dark]

World Of Warcraft

[Himu]

My favorite games of the generation. These are the games I spent that I enjoyed the most and ones I would suggest.

Console and PC

Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2
Saints Row 1-3
FIFA Street
Batman: Arkham Aslyum and City
Dead Rising
Dragon Age Origins (pc)
The Sims 3
Resident Evil 5
Skyrim
Mass Effect 1 and 2
Red Dead Redemption
Modern Warfare 2
Portal 1 and 2
Team Fortress 2
Diablo 3
World of Warcraft
Left 4 Dead 2
Blue Dragon
Lost Oddsey
Tales of Vesperia
Folklore
Deadly Premonition
Uncharted 2
Bayonetta
Catherine
Dynasty Warriors 7
Warriors Orochi  2 and 3
Samurai Warriors 2 XL and Empires
Dynasty Warriors Gundam 1 and 3
Super Street Fighter IV
Marvel vs Capcom 3
Virtua Fighter 5
WWE All Stars
Half Life 2 Episodes
Ninja Gaiden 2

Handheld

Crush
PQ2: Practical Quotient 2
Trace Memory
SMT Devil Surviror
Retro Game Challenge
Lumines
Meteos
Rhythm Heaven
Metal Gear Acid
Ridge Racer
Dragon Ball Origins 1 and 2
Dragon Quest IX
Dragon Quest remakes
Lunar Knights
Elite Beat Agents
Ouendan
Tactics Ogre: LUCT
Ace Attorney 1-3
Final Fantasy IV ds
Final Fantasy Tactics A2
Mystery Dungeon Shiren
Trauma Center: Under the Knife
Guitar Hero: On Tour
Etrian Odyssey
Ghost Trick
SMT: Strange Journey
GTA: Chinatown Wars
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
Brain Age
Animal Crossing ds
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Kirby Canvas Curse
Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles
Mega Man ZX
Ys 3: Felghana
Patapon
Mega Man Powered Up
Time Hollow
Contra 4
Henry Hatsworth
Monster Tale
Bangai-O Spirits
Space Invaders Extreme
Infinite Space


DD:

Bionic Commando: Rearmed
Daytona USA xbla
Hydro Thunder: Hurricane
Hard Corps: Uprising
Mega Man 9 and 10
Outrun Online
Xplosion Man
Super Meat Boy
Pinball Arcade
Pacman CE DX

[fistfulofmetal]

oh oh i want to make a list

a collection of the best games of the generation:

Burnout Paradise
Rock Band
Fallout 3
Left 4 Dead 2
Batman: AA
Half Life 2: Episode 2
Bioshock
Mass Effect 2
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Red Dead Redemption
Skyrin
The Witcher 2
Dark Souls
The Walking Dead

[Momo]

Dude, shmups are glorious on smartphones.  2D platformers aren't too bad, either.  3D platformers and action games are a major weak point, though, and I'm not sure if touch is ever going to get around that.

I cant see bullet hell games and faster 2D platformers to be anything but frustrating on a phone. Which ones have you played? I may try them.

[Momo]

Cave is on smartphones? Thought they dug themselves in with Xbox. I'll try some cave stuff and League of Evil

[Himu]

Cave is on smartphones?

lol

[Rahxephon91]

I like lists so I'll make one of what I think are the best of this gen(so far, it isn't quite over)

Dead or Alive 4/5-What can I say? I enjoy these games. They are fast and easy to pick up and I enjoy the visuals.
Vanquish-The gameplay is just so fast and quick and focused and you being quick in your kill. It just adds up to some very fun gameplay and the aesthetic is just cool to me.
The Witcher 2-Fantastic art design in a gritty world that feels actually mature. Hack and slash gameplay the feels like it requires thought and preparation. Just a good adventure, kind a weakens in the 3rd act though.
Asura's Wrath-I really enjoyed the story and the visuals are just what I like about Japan. Dosen't hurt that if features some awesome over the top moments.
No More Heroes 1-1st I like the routine structure of the 1st one. 2nd, I just like the personalty on display here.
Mortal Kombat-Just a hugely stupid and entertaining single player.
Yakuza 4-It's Yakuza, it's fun. Some very likable new protags here.
Uncharted 2-It's just a fun cinematic adventure game.
Valkyria Chronicles-Probably the most "new" game I played this gen.
Resonance of Fate-It just tickled my tinker stat itch. No jrpg this gen came close to that.
Final Fantasy XIII-Whatever, I don't care about the hate. Amazing imaginative visuals that remind me why I like games. Cool battle system. And a story with some cool ideas.
The Last Story- Just a good jrpg.
Inafmous 2-Way better then the crap 1st one.
Battlefield 3-Not the best game ever, but hey it's probably the only real online fps I've enjoyed this gen.
Ace Combat 6-The stage with Liberation of Gracemaria playing is one of the most epic levels I've played this gen.
Ys 7-Some of the best action combat out there.

Some other games:
Grand Theft Auto Gay Tony
Red Dead Redemption
Alice Madness Returns
Quake 4
Mirror's Edge
Halo Reach-SP only
Deus Ex Human Revolution
Gundam Extreme Vs

[maxy]

Cave is on smartphones? Thought they dug themselves in with Xbox. I'll try some cave stuff and League of Evil

Western smartphone market is truly an untapped goldmine.

[Raban]

Cave is on smartphones? Thought they dug themselves in with Xbox. I'll try some cave stuff and League of Evil

This is like watching a baby learn to walk.

[Momo]

Yeah i'm really going to be searching or paying attention to shumps on smartphone given the options I hold, jeez.

[Robo]

I like Wrath's list, so I'm going with that.  *daps*

(Didn't particularly care for Darksiders, though.)

[tiesto]

I don't really like playing games on smartphones, the virtual dpads especially seem "off" to me. Graphic adventures are fine I guess, or the Kairosoft games as shallow as they are, but I dunno... tried downloading a DQ clone called Gailardia and it just didn't do it for me, hated the control. I prefer tactile feel.

I definitely prefer the Japanese market focusing internally instead of trying to make what the west likes and then failing at it... the only problem is that means there's a good chance western releases will be overlooked...

[Trent Dole]

Yeah i'm really going to be searching or paying attention to shumps on smartphone given the options I hold, jeez.

Yeah, Cave is all up on smartphones big time. Makes me almost wish I had one.

[Tasty]

I hope you recover from your Andrexocity with regards to smartphone gaming, Momo.

Why is this a thing. :'(

Dude, shmups are glorious on smartphones.  2D platformers aren't too bad, either.

Lol, we have different definitions of "not too bad."

The only ones that are slightly-bearable are the auto-running ones, and lord help us if that's all 2D platforming amounts to.

[Tasty]

Flash version was OK I guess. Couldn't imagine it would be any good on a touchscreen, though.

Unless we're talking about different things.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Controls on phones ia just something you have to get used to I guess, but for many genres it works amazingly. Id say FF4 is better on a touchscreen for most part then with a pad, going through menus or tapping on enemies feels right.

3D games will forever be an issue i think unless devs come up with new ways of controls. What you do see on mobiles is new ways of playing, runners like Rayman Jungle Run are really amazing, if it was Nintendo they would release that shit for 40 bucks on DS.

What ios needs is a tv docking station and pad support. Now that would be amazing for a home entertainment centre even. Just plug in a new touch/phone every 2/3 years, control it via your ipad/phone to watch movies on the big screen or use a pad to play games.

[Tasty]

If anyone has Android 2D platformer suggestions I'd love to try some good ones out. All my blind picks haven't been very good, except for Wind Up Knight which I really liked.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Is Rayman Jungle Run on Android?

Serious question: why hasnt Sega made Sonic a runner? That would be instant top of the charts and exactly what Sonic is about.

[Tasty]

Apparently yes.

Guess I'll check it out.

[Tasty]

Bought~

[Himu]

have fun with parts where you're escaping never ending gunfire and can die from two gunshots.

[Cerveza mas fina]

I dont remember those parts.

Have fun Andrex. Play with mouse and keyboard! And a headset.

[Himu]

I dont remember those parts.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Isnt that like the last bit almost?

[Great Rumbler]

The best thing about Mirror's Edge is coming back months later [after you've already beaten it] and playing through it again as fast as you can with all that built in knowledge of what you're supposed to do.

[Himu]

nope

The best thing about Mirror's Edge is coming back months later [after you've already beaten it] and playing through it again as fast as you can with all that built in knowledge of what you're supposed to do.

Yep. later runs are great. first run is wtf.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Just getting into the flow and trying to beat your times or finding a new route <3

[Momo]

Yeah I just bought Mirrors Edge and Monkey Island.

Andrex's first steam pruchase

[Himu]

That is not andrex's first steam purchase.

[Tasty]

Andrex's first steam pruchase

This is funny considering my other thread.

But I started buying Steam games about a year and a half ago. I mean there wasn't really a reason not to; games were cheap, I already owned the hardware for it, and most importantly it had games I wanted to play.

[iconoclast]

Cave is on smartphones? Thought they dug themselves in with Xbox. I'll try some cave stuff and League of Evil

http://www.cave-world.com/en/sp/winter-sale/

I wish Cave would port Dodonpachi Maximum to the Vita so I could play it.