I've had this on my mind for a few days, so I figured I'd post and see what you guys thought.
Basically, the direction of video games seems to be heading more and more towards graphics/realism and less towards gameplay, primarily in the FPS department. Take a look at the CS series, they have arguably the best infantry/objective game play to date, yet don't have the latest and greatest graphics or realism. You could have crosshairs almost the size of a single pixel, frag grenades were weak, etc.
Complete mastery of weapons was possible, and with enough skill allowed a player to switch between weapons at certain points to minimize reload times, along with the ability to fire an extremely accurate first shot due to the weapon handling. While it may not have been "realistic" to be able to place your shot within a single pixel every time you shot, it helped improve overall gameplay. Yes, it was "cheap" for experienced players to have such an ability, but it took time and practice - and rewarded those who gave it the required effort.
Now, while all games may not strive for complete realism (not talking about ArmA/Flashpoint realism), many are incorporating just enough to decrease the amount of talent/skill possible in that game. Unlike CS:S/CS 1.6, newer games (BF2, 2142, CoD4, etc.) have implemented certain aspects of how weapons handle in the real world, resulting in a decrease of potential "skill" with that weapon. Example: CS you could no scope across the map with practice, CoD4, you can stand infront of a door and still miss with an unzoomed sniper rifle.
The argument for the increase in realism consists mainly of: "Well, it's cheap for good players to have such an ability." That's what makes the game fun! Not everybody can jump in and do well, and that's what has helped make the game last.
I'm not saying that games should just drop realism, but what I'm trying to get across is the fact that we need more games that give us the gameplay that CS once did. You may as well just say, "well, then go back to CS!" but the fact is, new teams and players want to have the opportunity to be the next generation of skilled gamers... with new games.
Do you guys see the same thing with games?
Basically, the direction of video games seems to be heading more and more towards graphics/realism and less towards gameplay, primarily in the FPS department. Take a look at the CS series, they have arguably the best infantry/objective game play to date, yet don't have the latest and greatest graphics or realism. You could have crosshairs almost the size of a single pixel, frag grenades were weak, etc.
Complete mastery of weapons was possible, and with enough skill allowed a player to switch between weapons at certain points to minimize reload times, along with the ability to fire an extremely accurate first shot due to the weapon handling. While it may not have been "realistic" to be able to place your shot within a single pixel every time you shot, it helped improve overall gameplay. Yes, it was "cheap" for experienced players to have such an ability, but it took time and practice - and rewarded those who gave it the required effort.
Now, while all games may not strive for complete realism (not talking about ArmA/Flashpoint realism), many are incorporating just enough to decrease the amount of talent/skill possible in that game. Unlike CS:S/CS 1.6, newer games (BF2, 2142, CoD4, etc.) have implemented certain aspects of how weapons handle in the real world, resulting in a decrease of potential "skill" with that weapon. Example: CS you could no scope across the map with practice, CoD4, you can stand infront of a door and still miss with an unzoomed sniper rifle.
The argument for the increase in realism consists mainly of: "Well, it's cheap for good players to have such an ability." That's what makes the game fun! Not everybody can jump in and do well, and that's what has helped make the game last.
I'm not saying that games should just drop realism, but what I'm trying to get across is the fact that we need more games that give us the gameplay that CS once did. You may as well just say, "well, then go back to CS!" but the fact is, new teams and players want to have the opportunity to be the next generation of skilled gamers... with new games.
Do you guys see the same thing with games?
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