Malik  (10/1/04)

I don't think I could start this off by saying anything beyond (remember, this is the area where my bitchiness is most evident) saying...I HATE SQUARE ENIX!  Yup.  That sums up most of my emotions right now...that, and I would really like to finish Star Ocean 3, just out of principle...but, that is seeming doubtful about now.  At least there are a lot of other good games (there's my other main bitch...this game season...) to play...but I will never get those 18.5 hours, and counting, back from Square.  So, anyway, before I get too far off topic, let's get this thing started.

Walking The Straight Line-ar 

So, with the "requirement" that RPGs need to be innovative in order to succeed (which is a total load of bull shit), one of the big "innovations" is the use of linear and non-linear game play. Just like with random and pre-set battles, linear game play has been a long time complaint of RPG fanboys. When a game has a set path for you to walk, the fanboys feel cheated...after all, it's not like the linear games are trying to tell a story and it's not like stories tend to follow a definite progression that can only be detailed in a linear game. It's like with a book; a book exists for the plot (well, a novel, I should say), and a book is read in order, front to back (except in certain cases), top to bottom, left to right, because the words need a specific order to tell a story correctly. This applies for linear RPGs. They are linear so you experience the entire story in the proper and intended manner. 

So, when fanboys started to bitch about linear game play ruining RPGs (it was the original bases of console RPGs, so how it can ruin the genre is beyond me), some companies took notice and started to make non-linear RPGs. Many of these consisted of a confusing world in which you could do anything you wanted (within a certain set of rules), but in which you never had an idea of if you were doing the right thing and at the right time. So, most of the non-linear games tended to flop, especially on consoles (which tend to be more linear than PC RPGs in nature). Only a few non-linear games have ever truly succeeded on a console with more than just the fanboys; the best example of these few games would be either Legend of Mana or Fable (which is actually one of the first hybrids that is a linear main game surrounded on all sides by non-linear quests and possibilities). Fable, however, would be where the problem I'm think of first starts to become clear; If people are given a choice, they usually will claim that they want non-linear (of which Fable is a never ending open-ended game, like The Sims) over linear (of which, Fable has a 10-15 hours linear main quest)...however, the complaints being aired the most on Fable is that it's too short, so obviously the linear segment is winning over people more than the non-linear.

So, I'm left with the question of why. I mean when there are so many games that cannot seem to handle non-linear correctly, and then for a title to handle it like a pro, why would the people who so desired non-linear games ignore this main feature? It doesn't make any sense what-so-ever. Considering the numerous demands made by RPG fanboys, such as those for non-linear games, those with non-random battles, those for Final Fantasy sequels and spin-offs, those for more realistic game, those for more new and innovative features, those for less turn-based and more action-packed battles, and other features that almost always leave a great gaming concept in a state of ruin and decay, and how one of the biggest desires (vocally, at least) is for non-linear game play, why the hell is this feature being ignored? 

In particular, with Fable, we not only have a good outlet for fans of linear game play, with the main quest, but an ideal platform for non-linear with the character development and side quests. This should be seen as the perfect ideal for all geeks. This is especially true since the non-linear aspects are handled in such a fresh and well planned method that allows one to decided, for some quests, what side to fight for, your character is entirely up to you to decide from the starting mold, and interactions with the NPCs are not only remembered, but they are well defined. I won't even mention how the linear aspects are so well defined and treated with complete professionalism by Big Blue Box (I would go into it, but it's usually harder to mess up a linear game than a non-linear one). This should be the ideal game for all RPG enthusiasts, with the sole exception being those who hate action based combat engines or strategy nuts. 

Solution 

I think the solution should be completely obvious, and if it is heeded by game developers, it could be great news for people like me (who don't understand the need for innovation in a great genre like RPGs). The solution comes down to the fact that people like to bitch...hell, what you're reading right now is my own bitching. However, unlike with my structured and thought out Malik's Bitchings, most RPG fanboys like to bitch without a reason...almost like they feel that they have to bitch about something at all times (don't believe me? Go to a message board that deals with RPGs and you'll see what I mean...that's why message board trolls exist...and they exist in masses of bitchy losers who cannot find anything better to do than try to complain without provocation). 

However, the one important issue with this is that game developers will only listen to so much bitching before they quit listening and start programming. Usually, with the most vocal people being those that fit in the pointlessly bitchy group, the developers are most likely to listen to them. Thus, we are shown innovations and pointless changes being made to brilliant games and any long standing series is practically doomed to fall to the bitching of the trolls. 

So, what I propose, and no developers will ever have enough free will to do such a thing, is for developers to make games according to what works and not according to what the vocal minority claims, for now, to desire. Fable is the best example of what happens to the fulfilled desires of bitchy trolls; they got the best of both worlds, and yet they completely ignore the part that is so often called for. So, in the end, the true RPG geeks, like myself, are stuck with shotty and poorly conceived "innovations" in a sequel that will sell no matter what as the fanboys of said series flock to it without a thought of their own in their brains, and we hardcore fans must try to sort out the good games from the "innovated to death" games that usually flood the market...which is hard to do...ask any RPG geek who was dumb enough to buy Star Ocean 3. 

Oh Shit! It's-A-Him! 

According to an article at Gamespot.com, former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi wants Nintendo to release anime versions of their popular games along side the release of the actual games...ironic enough, this is the same Nintendo former-president who turned a Japanese card company into the massive electronic giant we now know and love as Nintendo. Also, Yamauchi would like to see some games be made from popular anime franchises along side the animes made from popular Nintendo games. In short, he would like for Nintendo to expand into, yet another, new realm of entertainment...but this time with a lot less vision and creativity than he did with the introduction of Nintendo as an electronics company. 

So, what have I to bitch about with this news? I mean Nintendo can do no wrong, for the most part...ok, let's forget about some of their other creative ideas like the Virtual Boy, the N-64 (with it's amazing lack of new games), the 64-DD (the often forgotten N-64 disk drive...made in the CD/DVD age to play floppy disks...), and the failed and never finished attempt at a SNES CD-ROM drive. All of that ugliness aside, we can see some potential in this idea right? I mean some fresh new anime from popular Nintendo franchises...ok, we'll forget about Pokemon, since it's already been done...so, taking away Pokemon and considering Yamauchi would like to make the animes as something that would be received overseas as well as in Japan, we'll have to limit it to the franchises that have actually made it overseas. This will leave us with such animes as Donkey Kong, Mario, Pikmin, maybe Smash Brothers, Animal Crossing, Metroid, and Zelda. 

Ok, so here's my problem with all of this; Of the games that Nintendo has released on more than one continent, there is a huge gaping hole that I like to call "plot". Mario as an anime movie? Would there be enough plot for Mario to even handle a video game beyond a platformer? Nope! So, there's always Pikmin...with it's complete lack of plot (one or two dudes from space who find little flowery tubers that can work for them to collect junk...). There's barely enough plot there for the game to not cause one's head to implode as their intelligence collapses (don't get me wrong; I love Pikmin games, but if you try to invoke any thoughts about plot, you will get a serious headache when your brain collapses upon itself). Then there's Metroid...I don't care what Metroid Prime tried to teach us (rather unsuccessfully); there is no plot for Samus, and a movie (even as an amine) needs a freakin' plot...I mean the premise of a cool set of characters and a lot of action, but no story, is what leads to crappy films like Alien Vs. Predator. The only thing that could stand a chance in a form beyond video games would be good old Link. Except Yamauchi said, 

“I'm thinking of suggesting that [Nintendo] make movies, and to have them run in conjunction with game releases,".

So, considering Zelda games...ok, new Zelda games, that aren't just multiplayer party games, only come out once ever 5 or so years! Yeah! Nintendo can go into the anime realm based off of the concept of two animes to be released every decade...wait a minute...can Nintendo handle that large of a work load? 

Seriously, Nintendo has a severe issue in their games. Beyond Pokemon, and maybe Fire Emblem (which, despite the GBA title, is not a familiar enough franchise in the US or Europe to fit Yamauchi's purpose), Nintendo doesn't make games with a strong enough plot element to become an anime unless the anime is no longer true to the source material...which is what caused such things as the lame Super Mario cartoon of the 80's and the really lame motion picture of Super Mario. In other words, the solution will definitely not include making a product that's not true to the source material, since that's the quickest way to isolate and disappoint fans of the original (and Nintendo fans put the "fan" in "fanboy"), which would be a disastrous turn of event for Nintendo...which has only recently started to pull it's act together after 5 or more years of idiocy. 

Solution 

As I said, Nintendo has only recently pulled it's act together in regards to it's financial situation and it's appeal to the general geek market. Now is not the time to take any unnecessary risks; it is the time to hold true to their current approach and attempt to recover their loses from a better part of a decade in decline before they risk any of their currently returning revenue. In fact, if Nintendo would ever make this move (one must remember that Yamauchi is the former president and not currently in charge of anything beyond trying to preserve classical Japanese poetry) to anime, they would need to immediately change their game plan for game plans. They would need to start to develop some new titles that would introduce plot to the Nintendo world...well, some more games, that is, since Pokemon, no matter how lame it is, has a deep enough plot for movie usage...however, that's been played out. So, if Nintendo wants something animated and deep enough to keep an audience happy, then plot development of games should be first. Once they have a big enough supply of titles which have a plot, then would be the time to consider making animes or whatever from those games. 

However, even if Nintendo pulls out some games with decent plot, they will also need to remember their history lessons...namely, they will need to think about how video game animes have done in the past. If they were to limit the movies to Japan, that would be one thing (mainly since I'm not too familiar with how video game animes do in Japan), but if Yamauchi wants this to come the America, then they should look at how video game animes/animated films have done in the US. Let's see, there were hundreds of these things that failed in the past when they went straight to video (like Samurai Showdown, Tekken, Sonic, Final Fantasy animes, etc) or even worse when they had a theatrical release (how many people got fired/resigned/laid off due to Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within?). 

So, if Nintendo wants to go forward with Yamauchi's idea, then, unless things change drastically, Nintendo can kiss is revival good-bye. They are just now starting to recover from financial doom, and any uncalled for risks now could be the end of Nintendo as the giant it is now, and a new version of Nintendo that is more reminiscent of today's Sega (Sega's big right now...but not anything close to how it was in the days of the Genesis) could be just around the corner. I like Nintendo, so I'll just say that I hope Nintendo realizes that Yamauchi is a "former-president" and therefore should be listened to, but not always obeyed.

Conclusion 

Well, you might have noticed this was a bit shorter than usual this week.  I do have a couple of good excuses, but no real reasons.  My excuses would be the combination of how I spent far too long playing Burnout 3, spent too long writing the review of Burnout 3, and the fact that after playing so much Star Ocean 3 last night, I can think of nothing more than my never ending rage for Square Enix and how they always have to f%$& up a good thing.  So, I know there are a ton of people who loved SO3...I've read so many bad reviews for this game that detailed so many flaws, but they all included a final score in the top 80%.  Any other title with these flaws that are always mentioned in the reviews would have gotten something around a 3 or a 4, but since it's a damned Square game, people have to give it more than it deserves.  Square is like a damned stuck-up rich boy who gets everything he wants because it would just be improper to insult him...like we all live in fear of his daddy.  Well, I'm one of the few people not afraid to say, "F&*$ YOU, YOU STUCK-UP, SOLD-OUT, PIECE OF SHIT!".  Yeah, so now you Square fanboys can just follow these simple directions; If you've got a little bitching about my hatred of the rich boy, write me you little opinion or put it on the forums, and I'll take the time to tell you how wrong you are (there is no right or wrong answer, unless it's fan-boy-ism).

Malik