Halo ODST: The Antithesis of Innovation in the Gaming Industry?

How often have we seen it, people crying out for innovation in the gaming industry. How come there are not enough new IP's? Why do we keep getting the same old reruns, the same game over and over again with only minor tweaks and improvements? Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision, was chastised in the gaming press for saying, essentially, that his company is only interested in IP's that can be annualized again and again? I wonder why so many people were disturbed by this comment? Is it because we were somehow upset by the statement that no innovation is required, just give us, basically, the same thing over and over again and we'll be happy?

Then we have Halo: ODST, a game that may be well implemented, but certainly does not really innovate significantly, and should properly be regarded as an expansion pack-offered at full price-and met with absolutely stellar reviews in the gaming press! Are the reviewers in the gaming press so willing to completely abdicate their critically important consumer protection role as long as the IP is big enough? After all, if ODST is not seen as a massively important release, then we are just left with Activision's COD sequel to carry the fall gaming season.

So the next time you hear someone go on a rant about the lack of innovation in the gaming industry, think of Bobby Kotick, looking out over the horizon of the gaming world at the reception of Halo: ODST-I'm sure it will only provide him with more than enough reason to reconsider his views.

Marines With Frying Pans-Thoughts on the Left 4 Dead 2 Expansion Pack "Sequel"

When L4D 2 was announced the first thought that occurred to me was-already? I know Valve is a company with a solid track record, but a full fledged sequel in only a year's time? Perhaps I was being too cynical? There certainly was nary a hint of cynicism, or what could be better called, justified skepticism in the gaming press at the time of the announcement.

Well I guess I was not the only one because there was that "silly" boycott. People like Adam Sessler, co-host of G4's X-Play, became the standard industry apologist, proclaiming that the people organizing the boycott simply wanted to get something for free. After all, Valve has always supported their games with free updates and content, and now you want us to pay? Well this could have been the "real," "true" reason for the boycott, who knows. However, the list of, what I view, as legitimate gripes stated on the boycott's Steam community page told a different story. These concerns ranged from splitting the multiplayer community to not honoring a commitment to support L4D with further updates. People like Adam Sessler should have addressed these stated concerns rather than setting up a straw man. Lets face it, it could be fairly said that L4D, at launch, was a little light on content.

Of course the reason provided for the boycott that struck home to me was, "the announced content of Left 4 Dead 2 does not warrant a stand-alone, full priced sequel.." I, for one, have grown weary of the so called "version 1.5" or "expansion pack sequel". Take the same game, make a few tweaks-who knows-throw in a few new weapons, of course some new levels, and put a higher number on the box. Perhaps the announcement of L4D 2 was not so much a cause for celebration and unbridled hype, but rather, boldly highlighted a trend that unfortunately has become endemic to the video game industry. After all, if a developer with a penchant for quality like Valve can succumb...

I guess it all boils down to what you consider to be a sequel. Lets take Valve's Half Life as an example. Look at the evolution that took place between Half Life and Half Life 2. Now there's a sequel! If this trend continues, I can see it now, next year-just as Starcraft 2 has developed a strong community following, at Blizzcon it is announced 'hey forget the two planned expansions, get ready for Starcraft 3 coming out this November." But this time marines will have frying pans! Try your little Zergling rush now!

Maybe the L4D boycott was just a silly attention getting mechanism, but I think it was drawing attention to something important. I do give Valve some credit though, additional content will be released for L4D, and they will assuredly remain one of the top developers in the industry. I also look forward to L4D 2, I think it will be a great expansion pack!