Topic: Is the mass market simple-minded?

[KDR_11k]

Article on Totalgames (Thanks, Slashdot)

Abstract: The most selling games of the recent time are focussed on violence and simple gameplay. While many people think only the blood matters, it seems like the casual gamer wants simple, easy to learn games, of couse with a "cool" theme.

Sounds like Nintendo has a big chance left. Simple, easy to learn games are their speciality. I doubt they (Nintendo itself, not some second party) will ever deliver a "mature" theme, but they should at least once try to make a game with more realism-oriented graphics (that is not a sports-title) and - more important - a good story. Doesn't even need violence or abusive language. If they were to make a really great game like that they could show the world that they aren't a "kids only" company - and that good games can be done without violence.

[thecubedcanuck]

I agree. The problem is they seem reluctant to try and do this. Take a break from the Mario's and the Zelda's for a while and try something new.
I personally prefer the look of realistic style games. As someone who has never like cartoons, even as a child, I really cant get into playing cartoony style games, I simply find the look far to distracting. At the same time I dont want a game that is brutally hard, I hate playing the same level 50 times because I just cant beat a certain part. I would like a challenging game but not over the line. It doesnt have to be violent, or gory, just give it a bigger sense of realism and I will be plenty happy. I really thing ED and Prime were great in this regard and are definately steps in the right direction.

[nolimit19]

i took a religion class that talked about the marketing in america, and it is really interesting to see how stupid a lot of people are(when it comes to the things they consume). one thing to remember though...how many people own gta3 for instance......11 million or so...its only a fraction of the people that live in the us, but everyone is simple minded in one way or another....take any random person and a decent amount of the things they consume are probably not that well thought out.....but back to the topic, nintendo needs a realistic zelda...i hate to say it because i truely loved the cell shaded zelda(even though i didnt like it at first). well maybe not zelda....i just got it....realistic cube version of fire emblem....that would be sweet....thats what i think they need though...not really blood and gore, but realism in at least one franchise.  

[The Omen]

Its called 'Lowest common denominator'--- The most basic, least sophisticated level of taste, sensibility, or opinion among a group of people.  

[KDR_11k]

Omen: I think it was Adolf Hitler who said "If you want to appeal to the masses you have to use the level of the dumbest of them". Or maybe Göbbels.

[Oldskool]

That sounds more like the kind of thing Grobbels would have said.

I think the reason for the "dumb" mass-market is because video games were not really discovered by "the masses" until about half-way during N64/Playstation Era. Most of them buy the GTAs and insult the "kiddy" games that their teen fashion magazines insult in their half-page gaming sections.

Eh, did that make any sense?