Kotaku

Can I have this mans babies?

Go, guy, go! Speak for all the unhappy developers out there and tell it how it really is.

Da*n Right!

"games as being a narrative device that can challenge movies."

Then why does GTAIV have such bad acting?

Yeah, right on. I don't want any pre-chewed cr*p on my plate.

*Shrugs* I like casual games, but I like the GTA games, I must be an odd duck.

Fuckin' A. I've never been a fan of casual gaming myself.

Hardcore and Casual I like both Styles

Is the GTA really all that groundbreaking after 4 installments?

Huh, I like casual games as well as the GTA ones, I must be an odd duck.

@VeritasVierge:

You and I must be playing the wrong game.

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I'm with this guy. Make video games that niche shit that nerds played.

The wii is kinda like nintendos apology to use gamers that grew up in the 80s.

"Oh sorry we got you fat, have this new nintendo system that will help you lose weight. There is a catch though, you still gotta pay tons of cash!"

@Ashkihyena: and I replied twice when I didn't mean to.

I think casua games are soo popular cuz almost everyone knows about games but most people are too scared to get into the big games so they get started on small casual games. They just needed to be introduced to the better games. Plus a lot of people suck at video games and most casual games are easy and don't require much skill to be fun.

Isn't this just a case of supply and demand? Of companies following fads?

I still remember GameInformer from last year with an interview from a developer (name escapes me now) who stated that Casual Gaming shouldn't be ignored in the coming year (ie. now).

At this point in time, with the market about to be saturated with bandwagoners jumping to casual gaming, it's only the perfect time for something like GTA IV to land and distinguish itself easily, proven with the sales it has reached and the milestones it has accomplished at the same time.

@SkutSkut:

Wait in line buddy! :)

As a gamer without a 360 or PS3, I fully support the Peggle protest.

COME ON MEN, WHO'S WITH ME?

...

...

...

...anyone?

Harsh words, considering how the GTA series itself has developed since the first 3D installment; trying to play for five minutes without getting interrupted or instructed in some way isn't exactly proper sandbox gaming.

...but granted, GTA4 still remains quite heavenly, despite its casual "OK, take my hand and we'll go this way" approach ^^;

I concur. The Wii is an exploding barrel of potential only it's being used for really gay shit.

Yeah, fuck nintendo's casual gaming.

The story is pretty much straight forward and there doesn't seem to be much to actually comment on... so

DEATH TO THE INFIDELS!!!!

@spiderweb1986: ...raises hand...

In true GTA form, they put casual games into there game as mini-games to play with your girlfriend :D

Seriously, they're true pimps right now and deservedly so but I think there's enough room for both in any gamer's diet :)

Yeah, screw a huge portion of the market! Further alienate people who think that gaming is for socially inept mouth breathers with anger control and mommy issues! Yeah, Rockstar! You're with us or against us! You tell 'em!

Seriously, I'm all for innovation and bringing 'hardcore' gaming to the masses or whatever it is that Rockstar thinks it's doing, but I fail to see how this bravado is really necessary or helpful.

Is there really a big difference between hardcore and casual at this point? You can beat Portal in only a few hours--is it casual? Is it hardcore? I don't know, is it a necessary distinction?

I'll take my Persona 3 with my Puzzle Quest, thank you, and I don't need yet another over-Red Bulled Rockstar employee to tell me to apologize for it.

Don't get me wrong, I think casual gaming serves a purpose to you know, old people and kids. It's also a blast when you get four drunk people playing Sonic and Mario Olympics, but I totally agree with what Houser is saying.

Thank god for Rockstar.

So Table Tennis is now a hardcore game genre?

Just because you like pizza doesn't mean you can't like filet mignon. Casual games are one type of game, while GTA and such are the more filled out experience. I have both sorts of games on all my systems, sometimes I just want something I can play real quick and turn off at a moments notice (Geometry Wars, Catan, Big Brain Academy, etc) and sometimes I want to play one of the "hardcore" games (Mass Effect, Bioshock, GTA IV, etc) for a few hours.

Oh wait, everything's a war now. What was I thinking. Rar! Casual gaming sucks! People who don't agree with my choice of game system have a mental deficiency! Rabble rabble rabble!

@VeritasVierge: dont most movies these days have bad acting?

I want to love your game. Get me the patch so I can.

@TomSkylark: Nobody's opinion is necessary, yours or mine included. He just has a take on the industry, and he's sharing it.

Casual games have a couple major hurdles to overcome. Most casual gamers are not a reliable source of income. They may buy one game in a series but forget the sequels. They are easily satisfied. Most casual gamers are "soccer moms".

Who says you can't create a game that artistically challenges film, but is also approachable and accessible to casual players?

Also, when you start looking at how much of the narrative in so-called hardcore games are in cut-scenes it's like they are just making a movie in software. Where's the game?

@NateN: You my friend are pretty damn cool, and thats pretty much the truth.

Sadly, its like you said, everythings a war nowadays.

@Derigor: Your point being that the best games can aspire to be almost as good as the worst movies?

@TomSkylark: It's helpful if you believe that there is an overcompensation for the mass market gamers and a significant trend (which I believe is bad and damaging to the industry) of providing games that are completed in 5-10 hours. Basically the hardcore audience the ones that do play the most games and do buy more games so appealing to them makes as much sense as appealing to the mass market if your a software developer.

There is a large focus on casual games nowadays and I'm happy that has come about but I will be greatly saddened if it is to the detriment of the hardcore games.

Maybe years from now, but technology prevents that. Man of the casual games on PC are still flash based. Sophisticated 3D graphics can immerse the player more.

I get slushies every day.

It's about the only exercise I ever get, and hell, refills for 1.8L of slushie is only $1.04.

Cheaper than coffee.

Houser's statement is funny because GTA4 is very "casual gaming" friendly. The open-ended "sandbox" and mission-based nature of the game means you can pick it up and be satisfied whether you play it for 15 mins or 5 hours.

Why can't there be both?

I just got a PS3 this weekend (in anticipation of GTA4, MGS4 and Fallout 3), and, while I'm certainly enjoying GTA, I've spent WAY more time and had WAY more fun playing PixelJunk Monsters -- a very casual game.

I'm a fan of both the grandiose hardcore games and the casual. They both present their own unique types of fun.

When exactly did society become so antagonistic towards people who enjoy different things?

"Oh, you liked movie X? Fuck you and your children!"

"You like band Y? I'm going to murder you!"

Houser's attitude is shockingly narrow-minded.

@badasscat: Touché. Very.

I do agree with him, but I've always seen GTA as a casual game.

Except...Grand Theft Auto 4 is one of the more casual game I've played.

@VeritasVierge: Hey mon, let me break it down for ya rudeboy, Jah knows the acting in GTAIV is bad like yaz so stop being a bloodclot and rest.

I see GTA 4 as part Causal part hardcore, but I have to agree
FUCKING Pilates game???

@SkutSkut:
@DigitalHero:
I think the terms called Gabies

Guess what Mr. Houser: your game is casual too! It's all relative--hardcore CS/Quake players call GTA/Halo/et al casual; Wii Sports might be casual with respect to GTA; Peggle casual wrt Wii Sports; etc.

Point is, people need to stop complaining about games that they wouldn't create and/or play. Variety is A Good Thing (tm).

@TomSkylark: Considering the depth and thought that was put into Portal, even with its narrative being told incidentally, I don't think that's the kind of game to which he was referring.
Hell, Portal still lasted longer than movies and I enjoyed it much more than I do most.

Well, in reality, this might be one of the only hardcore games of yore left, that really needs a big chunk of your free time... since most games are very short (like God Of War) or insanely easy (God Of War), either you buy GTA or not and show your true colors...

after a words of support for Rockstar, he is just bitter gaming is changing, and Rockstar seems to be one of the ones thinking that it should stay the same, but it can't go back...

gta4 has casual mini games in it... like crappier version of bowling/dart/etc..

i guess some people get their over their head when you feel like a rockstar isnt it? get over your ego pls.

I think what he's trying to say is that too much focus is being put on the "casual" games/gamer market, which is pulling talent and resources away from more "traditional" game development.

I agree with his point, as it leaves less incentive and ability to create the next great epic game. We don't want to look back in 5 years and realize the last great era for gaming was 2007-2009 when we received the likes of Bioshock, GTA4 and Fallout 3. Peggle 2012 will look pretty lame by comparison, even if you can play it with your neural gaming implant.

Dans right, 100% correct sir

@okenny :): Exactly, but i think this is kinda the point. It's fine to have a casual game as part of your overall experience in a larger game. I mean, I love all the minigames in GTA4 (although QUB3D will be my downfall), but there's no way I would play only those games. Fuck all the minigame collection shovelware crap that has come out recently.

YEAH! Casual gamers can kiss my ass. xD

GTAIV is a casual game. Get over it.

Meh.. you got baseball, you got checkers. You got casual games you got "narrative" games. Whatever.

I have just as much fun playing a twitchy game of Kaboom! on the 2600 (which I guess counts as a casual game) vs. meandering in GTA4. If he wants to make movies, then more power to him. But to dismiss simpler games is shortsighted.

I'd just like to add..... FUCK CASUAL GAMING!

And screw all you guys who think all girls like casual games.

So he was the inspiration for Brucie I take it?

@darktorns:
I don't believe Mr. Houser is talking about certain aspects of his game. He is talking about the game as a whole. GTA AS A WHOLE is not a casual game. Just because a McDonalds Value Meal has Fries with the Burger and Drink, doesn't make it a snack. It's about the entire meal. Damn, hope that analogy worked. =P

@goddessakasha:

What are girls?

fuckin' a right!!!

I second your point Orbiter. Nothing says that a game can't be groundbreaking and accommodate a smaller imposition on a person's time.

If he is referring to new genre's that reach out to a broader demographic I disagree. I disagree because I don't understand how GTA and Brain Age can't co-exist. The audiences are clearly different so I would not expect that anyone would choose BA over GTA. The only connection would be the cases where people buy both.

All of this fear or anger toward smaller games for different audiences perplexes me. All I hear is a child whose parents have had a new baby. The once only child is scared of being loved less or ignored so he/she lashes out. Even when the parents are actively trying to balance the amount of time and love they give to each. In short stop whining nobody took GTA away from you.

Umm Grand Theft Auto IS "casual gaming". It's mass market, it's easy to play for short periods of time, it's heavily sequelized, it doesn't require extensive knowledge of gaming conventions. Just because it's aimed at males 13-35 doesn't mean it's not a casual game.

I don't know why some games are called casual games. I've seen people act pretty hardcore about them.

Rockstar is really starting to piss me off with all their ego, I hope they get sued. They are not the center of the universe, nor will casual gamers "evolve" to play Rockstar only games. Fuck RockStar.