<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tomshardware.com/game/200510221/index.html">http://www.tomshardware.com/game/200510221/index.html</a><!-- m -->

Why in the Dev Forum? This IMO belongs in the OT section where everybody can see it. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> Overall, I strongly agree with the author, and for all the same reasons, so I won't recap on that.

But, after reaching the top level with my Paladin, there was nothing left to do. Sure, I started other characters, but having seen most of the world already, I wasn't up to the huge chore of bringing that alternate up to the final level. The play at level 60 just stopped; there were a few things to do, but their difficulty was so extreme that barely anyone was able to complete any of the quests. Blizzard did give in to many requests and finally did simplify some of that level 60 content to make it beatable, but by then, it was too late. A large portion of their patronage had already left, turning off their accounts never to play again. Blizzard had suggested that they would release more "content," but they only released game changes and feature additions, some of which were not well received. They did throw in a few new dungeons, but there was no real addition of meaningful content, so the game just became too tedious.

I can relate to this with Morrowind, though on a different approach. I'm pressed for time right now, so sorry if this makes no sense: I feel that with Morrowind, you can promote your character to the status of god over the course of months, and once you finish the entire game and start a new character, it still is possible to have different experiences. Because Elder Scrolls games have the unique ability of incorporating so much realism, that you can never play the same game more than once. So the entire series I look up to a lot. BTW Has anyone here played ZZT? I was thinking about it, but don't know enough about it, so if anybody has any details that would be appreciated. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Now that dual core processors are here with multi cores to follow, more and more programmers are up in arms about the fact they sometimes don't seem to know how to get any benefit from them. Nintendo is taking an alternate route, as they have in the past, focusing on the game experience as a whole rather than just the graphics and sound of a game. For example, the Wind Walker installment of the Zelda series had an interesting approach to the problem. Reviewers would not stop the constant lashing of critical statements on the flat cell shading for this game. Yet, the content and playability made for one of the best games of the year. The artists didn't have to worry too much about lighting to the Nth degree or whether the shading was toned just right or if there were enough textures in a model of the bad guy. They poured their work into the story and the character content, creating a truly full game that was a joy to play to the end.

YES! Ocarina of Time is still my favourite Zelda game to date though. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Yes, I must agree with the author of this article, it's sad, but games are becoming really repetitive and boring, as if the developers were using all of their ideas in a single game, another good example of this it's Halo 2 for the M$'s X-BOX, a friend of mine borrowed his X-BOX to me with some games, I must say the graphics aren't that good, and that the gameplay seems to be good for 10 minutes, after you complete a level, you get to the next one and think "I have already seen this...", "BORING!!" <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> . The only good addition that Halo 2 has from the first one, is the cooperative split screen, and it's more of the same, it works cool for a map or two, then it becomes boring, because most of the traps are crouds of enemies runnin from every corner of the room to chase you, it becomes repetitive and not fun, I really don't feel the need to play the game to the end, even when playing with another player, the deathmatch is good with X-BOX Live, but if you play it without it, it's really nothing interesting, I think I made my point here. Also, most of the "sequels" of the games feel more like a expansion pack for the original game, they use all the same resources from the first game adding a new enemy or two, maybe a new weapon, vehicle, power, etc. but nothing more, the game feels the same, the gameplay it's the same, it's really annoying (there are a lot of examples of this on the actual game industry). It sucks! <!-- s:x --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_mad.gif" alt=":x" title="Mad" /><!-- s:x -->

Meaning we better do one monster RPG instead of 3 sequels as at one time contemplated. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> At any rate, KA with its unique gameplay types is going in the right direction IMO, and the vast amount of weapons and monsters should make it long-time fun too.

Besides, our approach of releases is going good, showing a new gameplay mode or two on the first releases will make it a better thing for the users.