The Checkpoint 06.16.08: Can Over-Anticipation of a Game Ruin It Before It’s Ever Played?

Posted by John Curry on 06.16.2008

Can a game with too much hype and fan anticipation actually be destroyed before it is ever really played? The Checkpoint looks at a couple of games where the hype behind them could potentially ruin them before we ever play them.

So this week I decided to confront my inner fan boy gamer and look at why some games that I thought sounded awesome ended up disappointing me and what games do I need to roll my expectations back on in order to prevent this from being a continuous thing for me. I narrowed it down to the realization that maybe my expectations ruin a game before they even begin. When I first heard about the new Grand Theft Auto IV was going to be debuting on my Xbox 360, I must admit I was really quite excited at the premise of the game, the new advancements such as the cell phone, the call for missions, and the ability to see what next generation graphics brought to the table. This was the one game I was really looking forward to on the 360, that is until I played it. I already covered my views on the game in Will anybody be honest about GTA IV. I realized that maybe having such high hopes before I even play a game is what leads to me really not enjoying it as much as I should have.

I believe that I speak for all game fans when I say that this is not a mentality that is solely exclusive to me but also to every gamer who gets their hopes up on a game. I know, off the top of my head, that there are several games I think the hype ruined for me, such as Rock Band, GTA IV, Army of Two, Iron Man, and many others. Is this solely our fault as gamers that we have such high expectations for games? No it isn't. The hype machines that are built up around a game are so high that we have to develop a sense that this game is going to be perfect in every way shape and form, and if we do not agree we will be chastised and hated for our comments and disagreements.

There are several games that I and many other gamers are looking forward to with as much anticipation as a five year old on Christmas morning. These are the games I fear our expectations have been built up so high over that we could ultimately ruin the game before we ever play them.

Spore




Spore

First a little background information on the Spore game courtesy of the Spore website itself.

With Spore you can nurture your creature through five stages of evolution: Cell, Creature, Tribe, Civilization, and Space. Or if you prefer, spend as much time as you like making creatures, vehicles, buildings and spaceships with Spore's unique Creator tools.
CREATE Your Universe from Microscopic to Macrocosmic - From tide pool amoebas to thriving civilizations to intergalactic starships, everything is in your hands.
EVOLVE Your Creature through Five Stages - It's survival of the funnest as your choices reverberate through generations and ultimately decide the fate of your civilization.
EXPLORE your world and beyond - Will you rule, or will your beloved planet be blasted to smithereens by a superior alien race?
SHARE with the World - Everything you make is shared with other players and vice versa, providing tons of cool creatures to meet and new places to visit.

For years those of us in the gaming community have been teased and tempted with the information about spore. We sit around and ponder how this game can revolutionize the way we all play our games, especially those of us who enjoy the Civilization/Age of Empires/Sims style games. The graphics are supposed to be phenomenal, so much so it looks as if it came from Pixar itself. The game is innovative and supposed to be the most fantastic thing we have ever seen. However there is a deep rooted fear that I think the hype of this game is going to lead many of us to expect that this is the one game to revolutionize the gaming world so much so that we will not look at this game in the right frame of mind. There is a glimmer of hope in this game but we have to believe that this game must be played from scratch without the hype machine influencing us.


Fallout 3




Fallout 3

First a little background information on Fallout 3 from the Bethesda website.

Description:

Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world – radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America's First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation.

Story:

Vault 101 – Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you've ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth.

Key Features:

• Limitless Freedom! – Take in the sights and sounds of the vast Capital Wasteland! See the great monuments of the United States lying in post-apocalyptic ruin! You make the choices that define you and change the world. Just keep an eye on your Rad Meter!
• Experience S.P.E.C.I.A.L.! – Vault-Tec engineers bring you the latest in human ability simulation – the SPECIAL Character System! Utilizing new breakthroughs in points-based ability representation, SPECIAL affords unlimited customization of your character. Also included are dozens of unique skills and perks to choose from, each with a dazzling variety of effects!
• Fantastic New Views! – The wizards at Vault-Tec have done it again! No longer constrained to just one view, experience the world from 1st or 3rd person perspective. Customize your view with the touch of a button!
• The Power of Choice! – Feeling like a dastardly villain today, or a Good Samaritan? Pick a side or walk the line, as every situation can be dealt with in many different ways. Talk out your problems in a civilized fashion, or just flash your Plasma Rifle.
• Blast ‘Em Away With V.A.T.S.! – Even the odds in combat with the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System for your Pip-Boy Model 3000! V.A.T.S. allows you to pause time in combat, target specific body parts on your target, queue up attacks, and let Vault-Tec take out your aggression for you. Rain death and destruction in an all-new cinematic presentation.
• Mind-Blowing Artificial Intelligence! – At Vault-Tec, we realize that the key to reviving civilization after a global nuclear war is people. Our best minds pooled their efforts to produce an advanced version of Radiant AI, America's First Choice in Human Interaction Simulation. Facial expressions, gestures, unique dialog, and lifelike behavior are brought together with stunning results by the latest in Vault-Tec technology.
• Eye-Popping Prettiness!* – Witness the harsh realities of nuclear fallout rendered like never before in modern super-deluxe HD graphics. From the barren Wasteland, to the danger-filled offices and metro tunnels of DC, to the hideous rotten flesh of a mutant's face.


Fallout is one of those series that is untouchable to devout gamers and RPG fans throughout the gaming world. There is no other game, with the possible exception of Alone in the Dark, that I am looking forward to being released than Fallout 3. The entire series has been fantastic and the fact that Bethesda, creators of the acclaimed Oblivion game, are producing it I am already sold on it. However, maybe the game will suck. Those of us who are fans of the series will buy it either way but will we look at it as a game in and of itself or will we bring our expectations from the previous entries into account so much so we ruin it before we get it.


Left for Dead




Left for Dead


First a little background information courtesy of L4D.com.

Setting and levels

There will be four scenarios, each with five maps or "acts," in the first release of Left 4 Dead.[4] These scenarios take place in various urban and rural locales: a hospital, cornfield, airport, and murky countryside. Four players take control of the four main characters of the game, "The Survivors", who play through the levels fighting off the Infected, which are humans who have been infected with a mutated form of rabies. The first four acts of each scenario will have the players move from safehouse to safehouse, indicated by a red door, where the players get a save point and those who have died earlier in the level will return.[5] The fifth act will have the players defending their position from a final onslaught of the infected until their getaway vehicle arrives, such as a helicopter in the hospital scenario.[4] Each scenario lasts between 45 and 75 minutes.[citation needed]
Damage, dying and checkpoints

Survivors don't die instantly from too much damage — they are first knocked down, but can continue to fire with their pistols until helped by another Survivor or they bleed to death. The Survivors can be knocked down a maximum of three times, after which they are dead. Movement speed is affected by injuries, slowing injured Survivors until they are helped by health kits or pain medications. Checkpoints provide a respawn point for dead Survivors. As long as one Survivor manages to reach a checkpoint, the others will appear again on the map in closets or in other "trapped" situations, and will rejoin their allies when found. When the player is found they would have only a pistol until they can find a weapon later in the game. Left 4 Dead will have full friendly fire that can't be switched off,but the less health a teammate has, the less damage friendly fire will cause. Friendly fire is off when a survivor is bleeding out.[4]
Playing as the Infected

Four additional players can take control of the more powerful Boss Infected with unique abilities amongst the other AI Infected. Since only one Boomer, one smoker and two hunters can be played at any one time, players must select their preferred Infected and wait for it to spawn. Players can also control the Tank, but it's only spawned a few times during each scenario. A special alert gives Infected players the option to start playing as the Tank when it does spawn.

The infected have the ability to see survivors through the walls at a certain range if the survivors are running, with the flashlight on, or talking. Otherwise, Survivors are not visible through walls. The Infected can also see in the dark, unlike the Survivors.

If a player playing an infected dies in less than about 3 seconds after spawning he/she is immediately respawned. Infected spawn ahead of the Survivors and can, if they stay still, see a marker for their likely path of advance so they can set up ambushes.

Throughout levels, Infected-only ways up buildings are marked with symbols. These can be climbed and used for ambushes, especially with the Infected immunity to falling damage.
Team coordination and communication

The Survivors can communicate by automated voice commands that are accessed by quick menus. They will also sound off automatically when doing such things as reloading or spotting Infected. Over 1000 unique lines have been recorded for each Survivor.[4]

The Xbox 360 version of the game will remove the quick key voice commands in favor of the Xbox Live headset.
Survivors will also be able to see each other through walls as colored outlines to make it easier to find each other.


Resident Evil 5




Resident Evil 5

First a little background information courtesy of wiki.

"Jun Takeuchi, the game's producer, stated the Resident Evil 5 will feature similar gameplay to Resident Evil 4;[4] The player will control Chris Redfield, the protagonist of the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil Code: Veronica.[4] The game's environment will also play a significant role. For example, if Redfield suffers prolonged exposure to heat, he will begin to see mirages and hallucinations.[5] Also, the game implements various lighting effects. If Redfield moves between bright and dark areas his eyes will have to adjust, causing the player to briefly lose some visual of their surroundings.[4] The player will be able to take cover and dodge (using a similar control scheme in God Hand). The Mercenaries mini-game, which was featured in both Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4, will also make a return in Resident Evil 5.[6]

The game will also feature new types of enemies. The extended E3 trailer revealed several sequences involving Redfield attacking hordes of fleet-footed enemies,[7] who possessed melee weapons.[8] Takeuchi has also stated the game's enemies will also possess human-like intelligence and awareness. Furthermore, he stated they will be different from the previous zombies and ganados.[4]

In an interview with XBOX360ISM, Keiji Inafune briefly stated that the game will feature some online elements.[9] Resident Evil 5's main story mode can be played with two players, in a co-operative online mode. The feature will allow players to enter or leave anytime during the game. Both players will not always stick together, and can be separated at points during the gameplay.[6]"



After Resident Evil 4 the series found a new burst of energy and life that brought many of us back to the series that had prior grown bored. The worry is that a game that is to follow such an exceptional game can only expect to deal with the same critical eye that RE4 had to deal with. I am personally worried about this game and the hype that follows it as I don't really think the game should have been made as I am tired of the RE series. However, I must give credit where it is due and admit that RE4 was an enjoyable and challenging experience. I just think that RE5 will be the make or break it game for the series. If it does not exceed RE4 then it will e time to kill the series off.

I think the only thing we can do as gamers is to sit back and expect that every game will just be mediocre so that in case it does suck we expect it and if it doesn't it is simply just exceeding our expectations. By doing this we ensure that we are at least getting our money's worth. The problem is that we have a difficult time remaining unbiased when these phenomenal commercials and media pushes are everywhere. I am sure there are other games that are going to suffer from the same over-expectations in the time to come such as Starcraft 2, Ghostbusters,Too Human, and many, many others. Here's hoping that we all just give the game a chance before we even play it.