"darrenfroggy;c-17276253" wrote:
I wasn't properly clear, I apologize.
What I was talking about wasn't the underlying engine and what it can and cannot handle in terms of things like snow depth or multitasking or world sizes (because yeah, there are definitely things that should work better).
I meant the initial code which, as far as I'm aware, has been repurposed from what was initially supposed to be an MMO game which would have a whole different base - there's a vast difference between a game that expects constant player input and doesn't have the mechanics at the core for autonomous story progression for NPCs (and even played Sims) when none of them were originally *meant to* have that ability.
The fact that that's what, supposedly, happened is why I can see them not admitting it. That move (I mean, someone could prove me wrong if that's not what happened but everything in the game tells me it was) was absolutely a bad one.
Using your examples though: there's a difference between fixing something that is purely aesthetic like the design of a specific item and something that would affect a much bigger amount of things in the game: animations in the deeper snow, interaction with existing objects etc. The engine making things easier doesn't mean everything is easy. (and for what it's worth, I think the counter thing was a case of the wrong items being put into the game at first, which is a whole different kind of mess up that shouldn't have happened and has a lot to do with outsourcing of certain elements of the development).
I like to refer to the corporate as TPTB |(The Powers That Be), which I picked up years ago in a non-gaming media. And it never has a good connotation because they never do have the end consumer in mind, only the bottom line. It's, unfortunately, something that's been happening for a long time and just keeps getting worse.
To clarify: I'm not either excusing it or existentially accepting it as inevitable in terms of it never changing again. Just being aware of the probable (very likely) reasons behind what's ultimately business decisions.
Honesty would indeed be nice, I agree. Indie games, where the creators and owners are not quite as bound by the "think of the bottom line" restrictions, tend to be a lot more forthright about the ability and limitations of their product. In a way, I guess I'm resigned to a degree of "it is what it is" when it comes to that: a straightforward "no" is always seen as a failure in those kind of circles (EA, other big producers, big companies in general), for all the wrong reasons.
I agree about the game's origin. However, despite that well known 'secret', the origin of the game and the sudden change of horses midstream has not stopped EA reps from continuing to sell TS4 as the best of an impressive bunch. If it can't accomplish the foundational mechanics that older games have been able to manage or replace them with something better, it really isn't.
The continued dishonesty is as disheartening as the lack of substantive gameplay. That's why I decided to start focusing on indie games and leaving so-called AAA games alone. The Sims series is the last one that I've stubbornly tried to hold onto. Yet, I don't hold much hope for this installment or any installment in the future.
"Writin_Reg;c-17276523" wrote:
I have learned to take life one day at a time and not try and predict future anything. What ever happens is going to happen anyway regardless of what most people do seeing we are the consumer - not the creators or owners of the companies doing the work and providing the incomes to get things done. Sure we can quit - that is our choice or we can accept what is offered and move on. Worrying about any of it really does not change a thing - especially when we are not running the show. The most we can hope for is stay in the game and try to help mold at least some of what we hope for. Quitting is not a good solution.
Cloud gaming is the direction many of the big companies are aiming for - they have been talking about it for years now and moving in that direction. I feel if we want to keep gaming - like it or not that will end up our destination sooner or later.
I disagree with the idea that there is nothing that we, as consumers, can do. Consumers built this industry. We can also starve it.
I foresee that, rather than being forced to play cloud-based games, people will start moving more towards indie games or raiding bargain bins and eBay for older titles that have cracks and patches to allow them to work on present-day OS's. Or, in order to get their gaming fix, folks might start dusting off those old PCs and boxed games that they've had stocked away in attics or basements.
I'd give up gaming on PC altogether if it meant having to be constantly attached to the internet and having someone else in total control of my saves and/or gameplay. Especially since I'm the kind of player that really enjoys the added dimension that mods can bring to a game.
I've been gaming for some forty years. However, gaming isn't everything. If I have to give it up in favor of an old or a new hobby, I'll be sorry to see it go, but so be it.