Something Special About this Generation

You know, Microsoft made an awesome decision to bring up the idea of the XBLA.  Obviously, it has been brought later to other consoles as the PSN and Wiiware (although this needs to play some catchup).  This is addressing new games, not old games.  Not even upgraded ports.  Remakes...yes.

Anway, essentially, what the XBLA has done (this will be my generic term) is to allow indie devs to actually be competitive in this market and actually *gasp* rebirth the 2d game genre.  We wouldn't have seen another Megaman of a NES style ever again on consoles.  We wouldn't have been introduced to Behemoth's kickass games.  The much overrated Braid (lulz) would never have been created, and it goes on.   It really opens up some other opportunities as well.  How about a new side scrolling Sonic game...nah...Sega's not smart enough to do that.  Perhaps a 3d remake or sidescrolling sequel to Battletoads?

* and you know.  I really don't want to see these be a home for things like Pain or Watchmen, which are essentially half assed full titled games.  This should be home to games like the Behemoth has created.

In 2009, with consoles that can play graphical beasts like Killzone 2, who would have thought these could exist?







Rebirth of the 2d Game FTW!!!!

Stop posting so many threads a day... And you wonder why people give you negatives even if you post something legit. You need to slow down...

Sorry!  I'm playing Halo non stop today!  (i post while in the lobby)
My threads do have some of the longest life expectancy on this forum though, so it'll seem like I create more than I do.

"Stop posting so many threads a day... And you wonder why people give you negatives even if you post something legit. You need to slow down..."

2D gaming never stopped on handheld platforms, though I agree with the general statement about this generation. However the original intention of XBLA was to sell "arcade" games, not what it, PSN and WiiWare haved evolved into. I hardly think Microsoft orchestrated what we currently know and I believe you give them far too much credit.

Whose idea was it to cover a 2d platformer in fucking bloom?

I agree with Smug here - the XBLA, and subsequently WiiWare and PSN really are one of the best things to happen this generation for me. I love getting up on Saturday morning, realising I don't really have much to play, and picking up a quick 4 hour weekend experience for £4.99 or whatever. It's brilliant.

As a Playstation 3 owner, I also have to quickly bring up that I genuinely love the way Sony seem to be supporting their particular store. Taking chances on slightly quirky stuff is what defines the Playstation for me. Things like flower, Noby Noby Boy, even Linger In Shadows are thoroughly enjoyable. I also like that Sony are supporting full length games on the platform (Wipeout, Siren, Burnout).

All in all though, I think all three consoles are doing a great job with their digital stores.

Me. Handhelds have always been 2d, and we will never not see flash games.

No pics of Pixel Junk?

Well, I'm going to be that guy and remind everyone that what XBLA does is nothing more than bring to the console something that had been on PCs for years.  What it (and PSN/WiiWare) has successfully done is monetize older games which have been MAME'd around the net for the past decade.  Also, it has given larger publishers motivation to return to their old licenses and spiffy them up for a modern console era.  I believe that many independant games sold on the consoles would still have existed whether or not XBLA was around.  All you have to do is look at the Independent Games awards to see that creative games are still being developed and most of them are in the PC space. http://www.igf.com/02finalists.html

If you want indie games, get a PC ^_^

Aquaria

I agree somewhat although like the guys mentioned on the bombcast the XBLA games are well hidden and there is no way to determine which ones are the good ones unless you do research on the internet or something which Joe Consumer will not do. I don't know about a 2d rebirth but I'm glad to see Indie companies actually become profitable in the face of everyone saying that they couldn't be profitable. I think all the 2d stuff is probably because the look of 2d sprites are more timeless and easier to do then 3d which can look outdated if the company doesn't have the resources. I like 2d games though so if it came back into style that would cool with me.

not very special. There were many superb 2D games in last generation too like Alien Homonoid.

"2D gaming never stopped on handheld platforms, though I agree with the general statement about this generation. However the original intention of XBLA was to sell "arcade" games, not what it, PSN and WiiWare haved evolved into. I hardly think Microsoft orchestrated what we currently know and I believe you give them far too much credit."

"not very special. There were many superb 2D games in last generation too like Alien Homonoid. "

Meh, I don't think it makes this generation anything special.

2d games?  Exist on the DS.  Even Sonic is 2D on the DS. 

Indie games?  Get a PC.  Also, Indie games have always existed on consoles.  You just never bought them or cared for them.