EDCHUY'S PROFILE

Yeah, apparently, it varies from place to place:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_school

Something new in the new version?

post=137968
If a game deserves your attention, it should probably do something as simple as actually be real and be able to be downloaded and played. If a maker is worthy of attention they will actually release material. A game that exists only in the creator's head may be great, but it isn't real.

What's more, many creators have cited unrealistic expectations as reasons for canceling a project! Loving a game too much is a good way to discourage the creator from ever finishing!

I'll address these particular points from a gameplayer's perspective starting with a couple of anecdotes:

I remember recently in a particular game discussion somebody was questioning the developer for putting the completed status for something that had "Demo" in its name. While it is a sneaky and clever tactic, I don't think there's anything wrong with that, since it is technically correct. Why do I bring this up? To cite the example of vaporware.

As part of certain ongoing topic regarding reviews and game ratings, somebody suggested a voting system based on popularity similar to RRR's. While the specifics weren't discussed, anybody that has visited that page has noticed that more often than not it will have among it's top 10 rated games, games with no download to show for. That means people voted based on the potential of the game, most likely because of the screenshots shown. While the current rating system we have here is flawed, it is definitely head and shoulders above RRR's.

Many of you have mentioned, that one of the first things you do when entering RMN is check the screenshots to see if there's anything new or interesting. Nothing wrong with that. I personally, don't do that. I first check if there's any new download and will then check the games updates (although since I got the RSS, I am starting to see that is more helpful and gives more complete information). That's not to say I don't take a quick glance at the screenshots after the other two things, if I haven't navigated elsewhere, to see if I recognize one from something I have played before, but almost never does it cause me to open a new tab.

Why check new downloads first? Because they are things you can actually play. Why do I overlook screenshots? Screenshots can be manufactured (after all airbrushing is the basis of a whole industry) as shown by Sol. By themselves, they are teaser of what a game could be. Unless they actually support something that has a demo or completed game, they are not tangible for me as a player. In my book, a broken or flawed game is better than none at all. That's the only way to see whether the developer actually lived up to the promise in the screenshots, game description, blog, etc. The proof is in the pudding as the saying goes. And heck, at least something that exists can actually be fixed or improved upon. Until that's the case, it is all in theory and not in practice.

Now regarding the reason or excuse used for canceling (even without formally saying so), the question I make to you developers (you know who you are) is the following: Who created the unrealistic expectations, the developers or his/her potential public? (The question is probably rhetorical, but I would like to hear some points of view, nevertheless.)

On a final note, I would like thank those of you (some of you know who you are, others don't) who have actually shared with me your games over the years. Keep up the good work! To all others, I still have hope in you, but not blind faith, though.

Your top navigation screen reminded me of some Atari 2600 games and their corresponding galactic maps that I played way back when:

http://www.atariprotos.com/2600/software/stellartrack/stellar_4.png
http://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-2600/star-raiders/screenshots/gameShotId,69996/

It would be interesting if you are able to navigate your ship in the map within your navigation menu without having to enter the map itself. Also, are you seriously planning to use that ship or is it a holder for demonstration purposes?

Double post! RMN 3.0 is acting up again.