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Veknoid_Outcast on 31 May 2018
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Angelus said:
Veknoid_Outcast said:

I sort of see "greatness" and "quality" the same way.

Now, I agree that you can measure certain things scientifically. Digital Foundry makes a living based on that. 

But apart from frame rate and textures and lighting effects, can can you made a convincing case for objective video game quality? Some people like easy games; some prefer difficult ones. Online multiplayer is essential for many reviewers; for others its an afterthought. Complex menus and button inputs are off-putting for some, and immersive for others. Gameplay, by its definition, is a very personal, subjective thing -- it's how we as players interact with the rules of the game.

First off, that was a typo in my post there, meant subjective, but I think you got it.

And ya, I do absolutely think one can make a convincing case for the objective quality of a video, regardless of tastes. For starters, how are the production values? Visual design, sound design, etc. How do those match up to similar games, in the same genre? Does the game perform well on a technical level? Then, in terms of the gameplay, you're absolutely right that we all have (very) different ideas of what constitutes fun gameplay, but....does the game execute the intended gameplay well? Again, how does it stack up to similar gameplay in it's competitors? There are lots of very easy, objective ways to determine quality.

What if you find the soundtrack grating, and I find it mesmerizing? What if the realistic art style works wonders for you, and leaves me cold? What if I don't mind settling for 30 FPS and for you it's 60 FPS or bust? Which one of us is right? There's a big difference between the objective "this soundtrack was composed by Mr. X and played with A,B, and C instruments" and "this soundtrack is pure poetry and elevates the game from a rental to a must-buy." Surely you see the difference between a cold, objective presentation of facts and a deeply personal, emotional analysis?

You suggest measuring quality gameplay by stacking it up to similar gameplay in competing games? Well, to get there you'd have to assume some objective, quantifiable baseline, when, again, it's just your personal preferences, this time spread across multiple games.