Something different

I've learnt that kids at my school prefer graphics over game play apparently. When I think about this, it makes me a little sad because they consider 'pixel art' not pretty. Personally, I love unique game art that isn't based on "Let's make this look as realistic as possible". I just find it harder to be emerged into a game that looks too real.
So far though, all the adults that I know don't really care about graphics. They seem to enjoy a game as long as it is enjoyable.

 

Nice graphics also needs good game play. I do not play video games that are very pretty but are not fun.

 

Personally, graphics are low on my "must have" list. They're nice, no doubt, but good graphics are no substitute for bad gameplay.

 

graphics.... eh... never really considered graphics, that is what I would like to say; but I have at one time reconsidered that idea. Unfortunately graphics doesn't mean much to me as long as there is a good story to go along with the graphics, high quality or low quality. To me the most important things are gameplay, story, and the overall game itself (game mechanics). I mainly just look for what interests me mainly.

Even with that said I am very easily entertained. To a point though. I do draw the line on certain things when obviously it conflicts with my interests. But usually graphics aren't really high on my list of why I like certain games.

 

As my dad (who is now 60) likes to say, "The older I get, the older 'young' becomes." As I've gotten older myself I've noticed the truth in these words. Especially when looking outside myself as well. A 7 year old will tell you how they're not a kid anymore like the 4 year old is, the 10 year old is way older than the 7 year old, 13 is a big bad teenager, 16 can drive, etc etc.

I see people 20, 21, 22, etc and I think to myself, "They're just kids." Not out of any malice but just because they've always been kids to me. There has always been that gap between my age and the age of people who are now 21. When I was x they were y, and that will never change. However I try to be aware of that so that I less often automatically look at someone as young. My dad looks at people in their 40s and refers to them as kids sometimes. Young is a very nebulous concept. So is old really as the older you get, the older 'old' becomes too.

As such I prefer the way swatelite categorizes it between legally an adult and legally a child. Everything else is subjective. That age too will vary by area but generally it's within the same range in most places that I know of. (Exceptions exist of course and I definitely do not know every place in the world).

As per the original topic though I've seen plenty of adults playing video games. Especially since the kids who were widely introduced to video gaming are probably hovering about their late 30s at this point. Many with husbands, wives, and/or kids. As more and more time goes by this is going to become increasingly common. The thing is we tend to blend into the background more often or make our own communities within the whole. It's easier (and honestly much socially safer) for someone who is 37 to talk to someone who is 28 than to talk to someone who is 13. It's just one of those scenarios where if you're not paying attention you may not notice but if you look you will find us everywhere.

Sorry that got kind of long, I tend to show up randomly, post something thoughtful (and long winded) and then fade back into the darkness again. Now then! Back into the dark! Beware of Grues!

 

I am a mother and a wife. I bought Starbound about 2 weeks ago. On day 3 I started my own server because I already knew this was something my family was going to want to do! Since then I've played with my husband and 2 kids on my server, as well as a few friends, and we've had the greatest time! This is definitely a game for all ages!
Also, since I brought up my server, I'm still looking for more players to join me! My preference is adults (I already have to put up with my own kids!!! lol) that have team speak. If you are looking for a place to play with adult friends and chat in ts, start a convo with me! Oh, and girl gamers are especially welcome since I'm the only one on the server at present!!!
sorry, plug over.

 

I don't think anyone plays this game just because of the graphics, or we'd all be playing the nightmare incarnate that is maple story, which starbound is one hair off of being at this point. It's about the potential of the game, and the ability to be creative and share that creativity, or just realize that creativity. On another thought, If this game is half of what it is touted to be when it is completed it will be a toy not a game, and that is probably the draw.

 

The only video game that scared me as a child was Resident Evil(the original). I loved the Zelda games and Majora's Mask was my favorite. I also played Turok on my n64 religiously. during the 8bit era I was playing the original super mario bros and Legend of Zelda like everyone else. Also the original Tetris and Starfox(the original not the n64 remake). Good times.

 

Part of what drew me to Starbound is the graphics. I don't care how good the game play is, if I can't enjoy it with my eyes I'm not going to play. Though I also think playing only games with a particular graphic style would be a lot like listening to only one kind of music. Graphics are important, sure, but aren't the only thing that draws me to a game and I don't feel that is what might be drawing an older audience. I think Starbound is a game that gamers of all ages can enjoy alone, with friends, or family.

 

I do agree with this sentiment, but feel I should point out that the two Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2/3) games, Chrono Trigger and many others- including some of Nintendo's own such as Super Metroid- still look awesome by today's standards. There's actually a webpage breaking down exactly what Squaresoft did to make Secret of Mana look so amazing. It's very smart, very artistic stuff, that shows a mastery of graphical design that goes beyond higher pixel and polygon count.

Much of it is also game mechanics. Starbound's jumping physics (and animation, amusingly) bare a striking resemblance to Mega Man's, which didn't really see a change until Mega Man legends, the series first debut into 3D. We also have dashing and double jumping that behaves physically in ways quite similar to staple mechanics in the Mega Man X series. Many mechanics in the game take direct inspiration from some of the best games in the 8, 16, and 32 bit eras of gaming, much of them from Metroidvania games which have always been highly accessible, easy to enjoy games.

I'd say the only thing in Starbound that doesn't take heavy inspiration from some sort of retro game, would be the music, which tends to be a bit more modern in style. That said, I could hardly see the frenetic, commonly 150 BPM, jazz/rock inspired music retro games tended to sport fitting Starbound's more mellow points in the gameplay. Even some of Nobuo's more orchestral stuff would be far too frenetic and over the top for anything outside of a battle scene. So it makes sense.

 

Because most gamers are from the Atari and Nintendo era, Naturaly we have grown up by now! But its nice to see someone saying it finally, Heres a thinker! Despite 79% of gamers being over 18 years of age, we still have yet to see any mature games pop up, Least not here in the states, For those who want their hentai and echii / adult content games, we still have to rely on translation of Japanese and chinese games.

 

You are right! I was referencing Adult genre games, There are plenty of mature games out there, Red Dead redemption, Mass Effect and so fourth that have very well done and often mature storylines out there, I should of clarified abit more the types of games I meant.

Seems you are right about most parental types without backbones letting the other guy decide whats best media wise and it sucks! I remember back early 2000's there was a push by gamers not to buy any Licensed games (Games based on movies, anime ect) Due to the fact that they had become sooo crappy, Not many jumped on board but alot of people did and we have a better quality of licensed material now.

If people are willing to buy an inferior product for the price of a superior product, Why both making the superior product ya? But anywho! I didnt mean to hijack the thread Ill go over here now.

 

30 is the new 20. Or so they say. Like many before me have posted, those who started in the NES/SNES/Genesis era are approaching or in their early 30s (I myself turned 30 last year ). I find myself trying to find a game that will allow me to re-live my past nostalgia.

The joy of playing through Chrono Trigger the first time and the subsequent play throughs with New Game+ power leveling your characters and getting the multitude of endings. Or the movie style ending of FF3(Final Fantasy 6 in Japan), which lets face it folks, ahead of its time.

As time has moved forward everything just started feeling trite and stale. The console wars, the argument of western and eastern styles in gaming and everything else inbetween. The straight homogenization of the gaming culture. I find myself now looking towards the "indie scene" verses the big name studios. Don't get me wrong, I still check out if theres a new Halo 23 comming out or a Super Tecmo Bowl remake, but I needed something more innovating. Something fresh but at the same time familiar. Different...but the same. I find myself gravitating towards games like Starbound or anything fresh with a new take on an old concept. The 8-Bit culture has made a strong comeback in the past few years and games like these have a great nostalgia factor.

tl:dr
Makes me feel warm inside

 

Oh you should give if you havent already, Lufia and / or Breath of Fire series a go! Esspecialy breath of Fire 2, that game stole my heart, and Lufia has a very powerful ending if you play 1 & 2 of it. both Snes era, Sadly this gen or last gen (ps3) I havent really found a pure RPG that has captured the emotion or feelings that the 8bit, 16 and 32bit era of gaming has brought us, I mean yeah the action games are more interesting but feels like we traded quality of gameplay for Shiney.