Greetings guys and girls,
I had a long talk with a friend about the popularity of first person shooters at Panera Bread. He only owns a 360 and games competitively more than I can say, so I hit him with hard hitting questions as to why Sony's first person shooters never come up to snuff when compared with the likes of Halo. We have Killzone, but that game only lasts so long and the multiplayer isn't exactly springing in abundance with gamers compared to the 360. I cornered him on the fact that the 360 focuses so much on shooters and he conceded the fact that they are lacking elsewhere in first party outside of a racer, but he returrned fire by stating something that baffled me and caused me not to be able to argue back. Yes, I know, I love a good debate, but when someone has you dead beat in a particular area you have to be ignorant to ignore the possibility of something you've definitely been missing that is right under your nose. He stated that COD is not only the best selling 360 shooter, but also the best selling PS3 shooter (especially in America). What this means is that Sony has the audience to make achieve high commercial numbers but actually is alienating the majority more than others. Killzone sells healthy amounts, but not quite the amount a high profile shooter has the potential to make exclusively on a console marketed to westerners. He told me the things that make 360 shooters so addictive go as follows.
1. Games are intergrated into the community: I hate to use this but people are willing to pay for Xbox Live just to play Halo COD and Gears and it speaks to how compelling its hold is on the community. Party chat bolsters the teamwork aspect two fold (but I will talk about that later).
2. Well made maps maps balance well open spaces, levels, bases, sniping points and choke points: (well placed cooridors or constricting paths for those who don't understand what a choke point is). Games like COD and Halo in most cases keep the maps varied between small at tight points that encourage high kill/death ratios and have a shorter learning curve so gamers can quickly become immsersed in the action, but mastery is left solely up to your aptitude.
On the PS3 with MAG and now with Dust 514, the maps are unnecessarily large. Battlefield has mastered how to make this type of action work without holding back the gameplay, because of their air/land/sea style combat. If you look at their sales you can see the formula still works.
3. Quicker action that works well with the controller you're playing (yes, subjective but makes ense.). Nothing is more infuriating than a slow and clunky shooter. Create a balanced controller for the PS4 that can work well with shooters, fighters, racer and action games without hindering each other. Those are the main genres to master.
4. A compelling lore with compelling characters: Halo has a great lore that spans numerous books and has an extremely loyal following. COD, not so much but Black Ops 2 had a great story that inspires at least two playthroughs. Creating a large and expansive world in the lore can inspire generations of games if the game is successful.
5. Character customization: On the Xbox 360 you'll notice a good amount of customization in Halo. Being able to play the game and gain parts or customize the controller to
6. Mulitplayer Perks: Give players incentive and buffs to give the players an edge in their style of play. Gaining more perks increases replay value. In COD you can have many styles of play and perks which include extra weapons, gameplay and buffs.
7. Rank: No...I am not talking about rank based on your overall score giving you pull in MAG (which wasn't even properly utilized because most gamers didnt even have a mic). I am talking about rank and medals based on your achievements and level of play. Congratulate gamers for their dedication.
8. Compelling DLC: Give consumers a reason to buy DLC. Make the maps provide some sort of varied challenge based on level design while still making the maps accessible. Marketing this should be easy and make consumers want to try their luck against the competition.
9. Mics/ Party Chat/Cross Chat: Please prepare the PS4 for battle because THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT WHEN THEY WANT TO GAME WITH THEIR FRIENDS. They want full acessibility choices pertaining to their friends when they game or are just watching a movie. We know the PS4 will have this, but I just had to add it. Mics must be accessible straight out of the box when gamers get their PS4.
10. Talents unique to a character or class from the start of the game with evolutionary or changeable traits: There are many players out there let them choose. In single player teach them how to control a unique character that is going to take on his or hers universe. Perks or talents in the game change the way gamers see YOUR GAME from the other games, thus making it lack generic appearance. The risk is worth it if you want to gain appeal and it meshes with the core gameplay.
11. More vehincles (recently added): Give players a chance to have fun even if they aren't great. So what if they get shot off of their bike! Give them a fighting chance against veterans.
12. Marketing! Marketing! Marketing! (Recently added thanks to Leo-J): In countries like America people like it when you brag and boast showing what you've got. Market to them at every turn with a compelling product and you will see results. I dont watch TV that much and even when I did watch I saw COD and Halo commercials galore before they came out.
If Sony fixes this they will be on the right track.
Hope you like! Leave comments below guys! :)
