Fw: [GD-Design] GTA II Review

[Ivan-Assen I. <as...@ha...>]

guess what? reply-to-sender...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ivan-Assen Ivanov" <as...@ha...>
To: "Javier Arevalo" <ja...@py...>
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 12:52 PM
Subject: Re: [GD-Design] GTA II Review


> > Have to admit, I was rather relieved that the piece turned out to be
> > very positive, given the games subject matter. Although I don't know
> > if I'd call GTA3 'hardcore'. I tend to use that label for games with
> > vertical learning curves, or excessive difficulty levels, i.e. only
> > the hardcore will actually play them. E.g. Gunvalkyrie is hardcore,
> > because only a compete nutter would persist past it's willfully
> > difficult control system. Most scrolly shooters are hardcore, because
> > if you're not 'in the zone' you get completely obliterated in seconds.
> 
> A nice book I read recently gave a surprising but very appropriate IMO
> definition of hardcore gamers: hardcore gamers are those who judge a game
> by its own merits - gameplay, graphics, etc - rather than buying into
> licenses and sequels.
> 
> Concepts like "balance" and "challenge" are very hardcore. The general public
> doesn't want to have Spiderman balanced out against the Green Goblin;
> the general public wants to push the "X" button 3000 times, and in
> response to that Spiderman to do 30 hours worth of interesting things
> and be victorious at the end.
> 
> GTA3 contains some pretty hardcore violence, but violence is a
> general, non-gaming-specific concept, and very popular at that, so
> I think GTA3 is NOT a hardcore game. Its appeal lies in simple things,
> instantly familiar to the huge majority of people: leisurely cruising around
> on a car of your choice, and beating the sh*t out of anybody.
> 
> regards,
> Assen
>