indie vs AAA

[Besitos22]

Hey,

ok I am not the hardcore player I used to be back in the days anymore but for some reason and without being a indie fanboy I use to play almost only indie games.
I have to say that I have hard times spending 60 bucks for a game which is bugged, a console port and where the studio/publisher have just money in mind and nothing else (The latest Assassin's Creed, Watch Dogs, Evolve, etc).
Also the professionalism of small indie studios is pretty good.
For several of my friends (who still play PC games) it's the same.

I wonder if it's because of our age (30+) or because indie games indeed have a high enough quality to comptete with AAA games for a smaller price tag.

What do you guys think?

 

[DaleTheWhale]

Both reasons, as I've gotten older I have less time to play and commit to more of the longer games mainly due to every AAA game having 40 billion collectibles and comes with it's own FPS multiplayer mode which is where they spend the bulk of their attention to. But with Indie games they're normally well written, work & are fairly short which meets the criteria of a good game in a short space of time, some AAA games worth my time I will complete over the course of a weekend though, I'm not saying all are bad. Recently completed Murdered, Hitman, Batman for example.

However I also agree that AAA game standards are pathetic to say the least, you can't keep everyone interested in your games when every year it's the same game being churned out. Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Battlefield... prices for these games and their DLC is rising, the games themselves aren't getting any better in terms of originality & excitement.

 

[Crimefighter]

I tend to prefer AAA releases in the Strategy/RPG genre (not an FPS fan).

I do have to do my research these days though, and very rarely pre order, due to the risk of bugs etc that you mentioned.

I have been bitten before (NWN1 on release), so I am careful about which games I purchase now.

 

[VincentHanna]

I prefer AAA to be honest.

There's the odd indie game which grabs my attention but most seem to be desktop based keyboard and mouse affairs, and I'm a bigscreen TV + controller gamer.

 

[BuffetSlayer]

Indie titles are where it is at creativity wise in my opinion. Maybe out of necessity, maybe out of the freedom that being a niche developer brings. Whatever the reason, some of the recent Indie titles have put a lot of the big hitters to shame, creativity/playability wise.

AAA - meh. They are ok but usually recycling the same safe formula and the same kind of buggy rushed games get put out time and time again.

It is not true for all, but the majority of AAA titles in recent years have been shocking in terms of QA, optimisation, and taking their particular genre forwards in the design and playability stakes. Reskins mostly.

I have been burned in the last year or so as I set aside my normal cynical approach to buying games. Now I have given my cynicsm it's old job back and will not spend a penny unless its a well established game that works (or if it is dirt cheap in a sale).

I think both forms of game have their place and contribute to gaming. Unfortunately the control of games development seems to have passed from passionate devs to greedy pubs. AAA devs can no longer afford to make what they really want to, so we get endless repeats of the same formula because the pubs can sell it. It's familiar, even loved (though I have no idea why).

I like AAA if it is done well and presents value for money.

I like Indie if it is done well and presents a new take on a genre, or defines a new one. Or if its just quirky and fun.

 

[Squink]

In my opinion a non-consolized (yeah that's probably a made up word) PC-centric AAA title appeals far more than your average pixel graphics indie title. There are of course plenty of absolute gems in the Indie market but I've yet to find one that has kept me going anything like as long as most Blizzard titles.

Anyway, a good question to discuss!

 

[BuffetSlayer]

In my opinion a non-consolized (yeah that's probably a made up word) PC-centric AAA title appeals far more than your average pixel graphics indie title. There are of course plenty of absolute gems in the Indie market but I've yet to find one that has kept me going anything like as long as most Blizzard titles.

Anyway, a good question to discuss!

Horses for courses, I guess. You prefer longevity. Others may want a shorter experience that is easier to fit around their lives.

That is why I feel both types of development has a place because in essence it brings gaming to a wider audiance - which can only be a good thing.

 

[Squink]

That is why I feel both types of development has a place because in essence it brings gaming to a wider audiance - which can only be a good thing.

I agree with you 100%. Even though I have spent probably hundreds of hours on Angband and many hours on Terraria, Rogue Legend etc, I still prefer a bit of eye candy when it comes down to it (I personally see it as almost integral to the playability if something looks beautiful). The Indies can't always compete in this regard, thus we get a preponderance of pixel art, rather than something new and original.

 

[Squink]

And I did thoroughly enjoy it when the narrator on Really Big Sky called me the three letter word for "breast" when I died. You don't get moments like that in your AAA titles.

 

[cheesyboy]

I agree with you 100%. Even though I have spent probably hundreds of hours on Angband and many hours on Terraria, Rogue Legend etc, I still prefer a bit of eye candy when it comes down to it (I personally see it as almost integral to the playability if something looks beautiful). The Indies can't always compete in this regard, thus we get a preponderance of pixel art, rather than something new and original.

Oh come now, a lack of beauty and originality in Indie games' art?!

Bioshock aside, it's hard to think of truly original and beautiful looking AAAs, Okami and Shadow of the Collossus, maybe - but they're pretty old now. AAAs are often more technically demanding than Indies, but more beautiful? No chance.

For Indies, you have Trine (I've never seen a more stunning game), Limbo, Monument Valley, Unfinished Swan, Bastion, Gravity Ghost, Banner Saga, The Bridge.... There're loads of beautiful and original artstyles.

 

[BuffetSlayer]

Oh come now, a lack of beauty and originality in Indie games' art?!

Bioshock aside, it's hard to think of truly original and beautiful looking AAAs, Okami and Shadow of the Collossus, maybe - but they're pretty old now. AAAs are often more technically demanding than Indies, but more beautiful? No chance.

For Indies, you have Trine (I've never seen a more stunning game), Limbo, Monument Valley, Unfinished Swan, Bastion, Gravity Ghost, Banner Saga, The Bridge.... They're loads of beautiful and original artstyles.

You can't seriously say Skyrim is not a beautiful game? When it is modded, it's even better!

What about Tomb Raider?

Despite it's faults CoD:AW has stunning visuals in Ultra mode (the Santorini level is particularly good).

Battlefield 4?

Farcry 4?

Gameplay and originality wise I agree they are all a bit meh. But I don't think it can be reasonably argued they are not good looking games.

 

[Zethor]

I don't care about whether a game is an indie or an AAA. Back in the day (get off my lawn?), gameplay was all that mattered. IE Contra, Street Fighter, Double Dragon, Ninja Gaiden are all about the gameplay while the graphics, story or art are not very important. Therefore I am now biased and if a game has a good gameplay, I like it, if it doesn't, I don't.

 

[cheesyboy]

You can't seriously say Skyrim is not a beautiful game? When it is modded, it's even better!

What about Tomb Raider?

Despite it's faults CoD:AW has stunning visuals in Ultra mode (the Santorini level is particularly good).

Battlefield 4?

Farcry 4?

Gameplay and originality wise I agree they are all a bit meh. But I don't think it can be reasonably argued they are not good looking games.

You're talking about being technically good looking, which wasn't the premise in mulps' post.

An accurate representation of a tree is a feat of technology, but it's not necessarily a thing of beauty and certainly isn't one of originality.

Of the games you mentioned, only skyrim has a shout at beauty. The others are just technically proficient representations of the world.

 

[Moothead2]

If a game is fun, it's fun, regardless of who made it. Oh, and if you're paying anywhere close to £40 for a PC game, you're doing it so damn wrong.

 

[Squink]

You're talking about being technically good looking, which wasn't the premise in mulps' post.

I was scrambling for a word when I wrote "beautiful". Maybe "exciting" or even "visceral" would have been a more appropriate term. Huge sweeping 3D vistas, with the promise of something interesting behind that hill or in that cave. Seeing the bad guy catapulted violently backwards when hit by shotgun fire. A huge explosion that brings down a helicopter. That is what I like in graphics. While I can appreciate the Trines and Limbos style there's nothing that really gets me going.

 

[BuffetSlayer]

You're talking about being technically good looking, which wasn't the premise in mulps' post.

An accurate representation of a tree is a feat of technology, but it's not necessarily a thing of beauty and certainly isn't one of originality.

Of the games you mentioned, only skyrim has a shout at beauty. The others are just technically proficient representations of the world.

Well I suppose if you don't find epic scenery 'beautiful' then the games I mention are probably not for you.

I personally find games like Trine 2, Rayman, etc etc artistic in a cartoon way. They look nice but they do not make me go wow like a more realistic representation of the world does.

Sure, I guess you can say it is unoriginal, but art does often imitate life.

How about we meet in the middle? Bioshock Infinite?

 

[cheesyboy]

I was scrambling for a word when I wrote "beautiful". Maybe "exciting" or even "visceral" would have been a more appropriate term. Huge sweeping 3D vistas, with the promise of something interesting behind that hill or in that cave. Seeing the bad guy catapulted violently backwards when hit by shotgun fire. A huge explosion that brings down a helicopter. That is what I like in graphics. While I can appreciate the Trines and Limbos style there's nothing that really gets me going.

I wonder if there's any crossover between those who struggle to express themselves and those who prefer AA games....

Fair enough. You meant you like large open worlds, photo-realistic visuals, and action movie physics. Indies don't tend to have much of that

But beauty and originality... yes, they have lots of that!

 

[cheesyboy]

Well I suppose if you don't find epic scenery 'beautiful' then the games I mention are probably not for you.

I personally find games like Trine 2, Rayman, etc etc artistic in a cartoon way. They look nice but they do not make me go wow like a more realistic representation of the world does.

Sure, I guess you can say it is unoriginal, but art does often imitate life.

How about we meet in the middle? Bioshock Infinite?

I gave you Bioshock in my first post

Trine made me go "wow" a lot with its visuals. Found the game a bit boring, in truth, but stunning nonetheless. Did you genuinely not think it was almost breathtakingly beautiful?

I can, too, appreciate the feat of making those big open worlds. I just don't consider it especially beautiful or artworthy.

 

[BuffetSlayer]

I gave you Bioshock in my first post

Trine made me go "wow" a lot with its visuals. Found the game a bit boring, in truth, but stunning nonetheless. Did you genuinely not think it was almost breathtakingly beautiful?

I can, too, appreciate the feat of making those big open worlds. I just don't consider it especially beautiful or artworthy.

You gave me Bioshock. Not Infinite! (both have fantastic artistic visuals though. But I love the Art Deco mood of Bioshock, as well as the concept)

I found Trine 2 to be a bit 'in your face' with the colour palette to be honest. I can't say it does not look good, but it just does not wow me. I think part of it is perhaps because I just can't relate to it like I can relate to an FPS world. One of the reasons I have always loved FPS games is the immersion. Being 'in' the world, being able to lose myself in the mood and the visual. A side scrolling 2D game just makes me feel detached and uninvolved. Plus you lose immersion because you can see everything on the screen at the same time.

I guess after all said and done, beauty is always going to be in the eye of the beholder.

What about Alien Isolation? I thought it was a stunning realisation of Sevastopol. Along with the sound directing it was an amazing game to play

Borderlands has got to be on your radar?

 

[maxilive]

AAA games are become less unique due to the scale of work that has to be done behind the scenes, the team sizes for these games are tripling what they used to be at the start of the previous generation. This makes development prices sky rocket and investors scream if something doesn't hit the mark when it comes to sales. So most games try to stick to the trusted IPs/Gameplay mechanics and even if they are bugged they would have probably already sold well due to the name attached to the game.

You will probably see more diversity in the coming years due to the technology catching up and funding evening out for developers allow studios to take more risks or investors more comfortable with going outside of the box.

That said I think from a consumer point of view. We are spoilt for choice and most of us usually get most of our gaming fix from one or two titles of the course of 6 months so anything adding on top of that we are probably going to be more critical or agitated. I've personally stopped playing a lot of a larger releases at the moment but I've completed 4-5 smaller games on Steam that I thought were great experiences. I've been enjoying the 30-60 minutes play sessions without having to worry about knowing/remembering gameplay mechanics or story beats. Lots of Indies cover this and offer the diversity of different art styles, gameplay and over all design with each title I pick up. As an added bonus personally I don't know much about the games before I play there where as a AAA title I would usually know a good amount due to 20 trailers, 3 previews, reviews and other peeps talking about it.