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Video Game Best and Worst 2007
December 19, 2007
It’s that time of the year when every video game magazine and Web site publishes their “best of” lists. It is hard to argue with the logic that BioShock is a top contender in the action adventure genre, or that Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties is the best PC game expansion. But rather than comment on anyone’s list or just compiling a similar list, I’ve taken the time to offer a different look at the best and worst of 2007.
Worst Business Move of 2007: Nintendo’s Supply Issues with the Wii
Having shortages for a hot video game system in December for a system that launched in November is par for the course. Having shortages for a hot video game system in December for a system that launched in the November a year prior is unacceptable. Nintendo had a golden opportunity with the Wii being the “must have” holiday gift a second year in a row, but somehow still couldn’t solve supply chain issues? The company had the golden opportunity but the PlayStation 3 could instead be positioned to begin to close the gap in 2008. I like Nintendo a lot, but I have to ask: does this company try to fail?
Best Hype Machine of 2007: Microsoft and Halo III
Microsoft was determined to get a three-peat with Halo III, and the company succeeded. But with the effort that put forth Microsoft could have probably released Tax Simulator 2008 and still done reasonably well. There is buzz, and there is hype. When you can’t garner the former, you can produce the latter in droves. Halo III was everywhere, even if it wasn’t quite “the biggest day in the history of entertainment,” as former Microsoft executive Peter Moore proclaimed it would be. What is really remarkable is that Halo III was successful while still being just a lot more of the same. It is a good game, but I wouldn’t put this up there as the “biggest day in video games” let alone entertainment. Sorry, the Beatles playing Shea Stadium this wasn’t.
Worst Resolution to a Cliffhanger: Halo III
More Halo III, what a surprise. The big debate in the weeks leading up to Halo III was how the main character, known only as Master Chief, would survive the fall he took from near orbit at the end of Halo II. In a cliffhanger resolution worse than the Dallas “it was all a dream season” Master Chief simply walked away from the fall with the explanation that his powered armor suit protected him. That’s some suit, maybe we should get some to Iraq and quick! But maybe not so fast, because five minutes in the first level I fell off a cliff about 100 feet into a lake and died. So good game development. Fall from near orbit in a cinematic sequence and you live, fall into water from 100 feet by going off the path and you die… makes sense only in a video game.
Best Party Game for Those Who Have to Pretend They Have Talent: Rock Band
A couple weeks ago I ranted about Rock Band, and how the music game genre could do more to teach music. That said I do have to concede that Rock Band is still a great party game. Seeing a bunch of 30-somethings rocking out while “on tour” in my living room convinced me that fakery can make for a good time.
Worst Game Line-up: Sony PlayStation 3
Make the games and they will play could be the mantra for the video game industry, and years ago Sega learned that without developer support a good system (such as the Saturn and the follow-up Dreamcast) can’t survive without triple-A titles. Well, if something doesn’t happen soon, Sony could be facing the same problem with its PlayStation 3. While the Wii has that new controller – which we didn’t like by the way – Microsoft had hits with BioShock, Halo III and Mass Effect. Sony had… yeah, exactly. This fall came and went without a banner title to garner very much interest. While there was Heavenly Sword that was kind of interesting, most of the other big titles, including Unreal III, Guitar Hero III and Rock Band were also available on rival systems. Even next year’s sure-fire hit Grand Theft Auto IV will arrive day and date on the Xbox 360. Come on Sony, get in the game already!
Most Overlooked Game Platform: Windows Vista
Microsoft tried to re-brand the PC game business as “Games for Windows,” and much of this focus was supposed to be built around Windows Vista. While the operating system hasn’t taken off with business or home users, Microsoft hasn’t done much to market Vista as a gaming platform either. Here’s an idea… you know those amusing yet kind of annoying “Mac and PC” commercials from Apple; why doesn’t Microsoft do a spoof that says, “the PC isn’t just for business, it is the better gaming system.” Just another opportunity lost.
That’s about it, but feel free to chime in with your own best and worst picks for 2007. How about “best new gaming business blog.” Anyone, Anyone?
Posted by Peter Suciu on December 19, 2007 | Comments (2)
