Three Top Needs for Sports Gaming in 2013: Avoiding the Generational Setback - RaychelSnr's Blog

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Three Top Needs for Sports Gaming in 2013: Avoiding the Generational Setback Stuck

Posted on January 10, 2013 at 03:32 PM.

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It is the year of the sunset in sports gaming. Starting (likely) this fall, there will be a new generation of consoles with new technology and new capabilities unleashed on gamers everywhere.

That means this is a year of transition. For many franchises, foundations must be established on new consoles, for others preparations for a move next year must be made. In both instances, sports gaming has to avoid what happened the last generational console switch, which was an all out retreat in both gameplay quality and the number of features.

Any retreat in 2013 will have to be seen as completely unacceptable in every way. How can we readily accept a drawback in modes and gameplay, especially if the new experiences don't really offer too much?

The last generational shift was nothing more than a cosmetic facelift at first, with AI and core gameplay seemingly only getting surface level upgrades with features and core elements being taken out of games to begin the generation. Thus, the year of transition and establishment must begin, if for no other reason than to avoid a similar fate in 2013. Here are three ways developers can avoid this generational setback:

1)Get an unbreakable foundation built. Some games have already built for the future and are ready for the transition to next gen. It is my hope that games like Madden, which have introduced new core gameplay elements did so in the past year or two with the expectation that more hardware power would mean a better experience overall. The entire experience needs to be built this year as if it were being packed for a move cross country. It needs to be logical, organized, and it needs to be ready for a generational move upwards. Developers simply need to ensure that sports gaming does not take a step backwards again.

2)Streamline user modes and menus. Franchise and dynasty modes seem hampered with muddled and confused menu systems. MLB: The Show and NCAA Football are my two favorite targets for this, but the reality is every sports game could use a menu streamlining and facelift. While sports games as a whole have gotten a whole lot better the past several years, it seems their franchise modes are often stuck in a confusing array of menus and options that researchers at NASA still need help figuring out. A move into the next generation of consoles will mean we need better user experiences than the current gen, and some of that starts with the menus.

3)Make the experience tweakable. From control schemes to difficulty levels, many sports games are offering highly customizable experiences. Heading into the next generation, I personally think this will become even more important. Users want to define their experience with software, not the other way around. It is my hope that developers make each sports gaming title even more customizable in 2013 -- to basically allow sports gamers to define the experience they'd like to have with games more readily. In an ideal world, there shouldn't be a need for arcade or sim games, because a game would be so well made and customizable that it could do both. In the next (and possibly last) generation, I think it's about high time that becomes reality.

Final Thoughts

Of course, there are several other items I'd really like to see developers focus on as well, but it's tough to fit so many items on a pre-determined list of three. Things like authentic experiences, with real to life equipment and presentation and stadiums are important as well. But in this year of transition, a lot of that might have to wait awhile.

This is the year we enter a new generation of gaming, and to adequately prepare for it, I'm ok with more refinement than I am innovation if only to ensure we start the new generation moving forward rather than backwards.

Comments

# 1 rudyjuly2 @ Jan 10

I'd love to have more sliders or access to tuning files like EA puts out for NHL and ignores for their football series.

# 2 SHAKYR @ Jan 10

Customization,Options, More & Detailed Sliders,and in-depth creation options.

# 3 kingsofthevalley @ Jan 10

Was there ever any confirmation from the devs at EA that they indeed fell many steps back with the transition to current gen? The consumers with a good attention to detail noticed it, especially with Madden and NCAA. Just curious if the devs ever stated or hinted that they knew this, or do they really think everything is fine?

# 4 rockchisler @ Jan 10

As long as NBA 2k does not just have a graphical upgrade on the new system Im good. Im just tired of the same issues from ps2 creep up to this new gen systems..I.E. Lack of interior D, Morphing, More off ball fouls.

# 5 BreaksoftheGame @ Jan 10

I think companies need to think about "add ons" as a way to increase profits and playability. Draft Combines, Play Editor/Creators, Draft Editors etc..... All could be added as separate entities that could enhance next gen games.

I hope they think about all platforms and not just next gen....one core game but multiple components.

# 6 iory_yagamy @ Jan 11

Dont forget about LET US PLAY OFFLINE IN PEACE