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New Poll
By Corvus | April 3, 2008
For those of you who, like me, tend to view the internet through a RSS haze, I thought I’d let you know that I’ve posted a quick poll in the sidebar of the blog. Normally I’d feel odd dedicating a post to such a small thing, but a) I’d like to collect a general consensus before I make a decision about a project and b) I figure you can use this post to comment as to why you answered the way you did (should you feel so inclined).
Tagged:poll. | 15 Comments »
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I can see why you needed a poll to guide your decision. On one hand there’s an incredible game that combines it’s story and gameplay in a particularly good fashion but it’s very old so the reader might not be interested in it, and on the other hand there’s a game that everyone in the industry knows but has a rather shallow integration of the narrative and gameplay.
I voted for Ultima, since what is important is the analysis not the popularity of the game being analyzed. I suppose that I prefer to see an essay on a game that does things right (to an extent) than any other option.
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I’ve selected Ultima, because I think that there is a lot to be learned from older, and perhaps forgotten, games. There was less reliance on hardware gimmicks (like graphics and physics) to create and tell stories and I think that many of these techniques need to be reexamined for better inclusion in current generation games.
Also, I’ve enjoyed your NotM on it.
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Interesting… 31.3% of the votes so far are for AC. I have an idea who one or two of those votes are from and I’d love to hear their reasoning!
Because, ultimately, the poll was just an excuse to have a conversation about it. And speaking of conversation…
Putting popularity aside, I think there’s a lot to learn from both games. UW is, as you’ve both mentioned, a game that got so many things right. However, as is reflected in my RPG character development, I firmly believe we learn a lot from getting things wrong. Perhaps even more than we do from getting them right.
And I consider the two games more of a spectrum of success, than anything. UW got a lot right but wasn’t a blockbuster success. AC got a lot wrong but has done pretty well for itself. Just a matter of marketing perhaps, but I’m not certain that’s entirely true.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Both? I’ve not played either
I’ll abstain.
The world needs more people to write history articles, a lot more! Any more from you is a good thing Corvus
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Thanks, Andrew. I have actually considered writing both up and asking the editor to choose.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
(By history I mean critical analysis pieces that are useful to anyone, not just historians, hehe)
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
And that is awesome, doing both and only putting one into a book would mean the other could be posted here!
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I voted for Assasin’s Creed simply because I haven’t ever Ultima Underworld (or any of the Ultima’s TBH) and I find that its always easier for me to read a chapter or article on a game that I have personally experienced or have at least a cursory knowledge of.
That said, if it’s well enough written to grab me in anyway then by all means, I’d read about Ultima Underworld.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Mmmhh… I like your thinking Andrew. Although Corvus already covered both games in various entries already, but I guess more is better in these cases.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Hooray! Ultima FTW!
April 4th, 2008 at 3:47 am
I must admit; I have a weak spot for adventure/rpg games where the story and choice (or at least a good illusion of choice) is a major point.
I voted for the Ultima for this reason, and once again noted that I must find it and get going on it again. I would love to play AC, but I don’t have anything remotely powerful enough to get it up and crawling.
I think a game, or any work [of art]/ made up of story , plot and narrative needs a bit of age in order for it to be thought about with [nostalgic love]/ objectiveness.
When is the next narrative series of articles coming
April 4th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Soon, Tormod, soon! I’m settling into a rhythm with my schedule finally and that means I’ll have some quality time with X-COM over the coming weeks.
April 4th, 2008 at 5:22 am
..and it’s UW at 56.5% to AC’s 43.5%.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I’ve known a cinema teacher that do not want to do any analysis of a movie that is not at least 10 years old. He says that if you analyse a recent movie, you will likely miss the big picture surrounding it’s creation (cultural, political, context of a genre, and so on).
Analysing an old movie (or game) will allow you to have more data so you can successfully compare it to it’s context in the time of it’s creation and it’s more modern counterparts.
So yeah, that’s Ultima.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I voted for Ultima, simply because the data available will be based on the history, social impact and proven longevity.
I haven’t played Assassin’s Creed (it’s on one of my lists of things to get to eventually), due to the presence of The Boy, but I don’t think you would be able to achieve the same level of depth that you could with Ultima.