Detroit from 2018 so just think
ScuzzBlog: Diaries September 2022
Entry 29th September 2022: Post 1: Why do people play old games?.
Why do people play old games?.
So why do players put together quite startling libraries of old
games. My guess is cus it's part of the internet trend to download
as much free stuff as you possibly can. I would suggest that any
of these gamers faced with paying good money for games wouldn't
have anything like the numbers of downloads in their collection.
For my part I don't play old games. I am a gaming nutter and play
way more games than I like to admit. Sometimes I can play anything
up to eight hours straight on an MMO. The time I spend sometimes
borders on the insane. But, with each game and console I am looking
for progressive gameplay and quality of game. Each time a new game
of Tomb Raider was released I was first in line. If that meant a
new console then that is what happened. I seriously couldn't wait
to enjoy the latest and best of my most favoured games.
So what about the nostalgia kick. I can understand wanting to play
some of the classics, just for old times sake. But collecting all
the available titles and sticking them on a USB stick, to me, just
doesn't make sense. There really was only a handful of really
good games each year, and only a fraction of these have stood the
test of time.
So why do I still collect games ? Simple, for historical reference.
And I like having the originals with manuals and box artwork. To
have is very important to me. I have purchased so many games and
never played them.
OK to filtering old games and their worth. Let me take you back to
the learning curve that was my first years of gaming. First thing
I realised was the value of having the right kit. I tried so hard
to game on the ZX81, but it was pointless. Doesn't matter how
mouthwatering the graphics look, the games were always poorly
created and gave very little in real entertainment.
So we move to the Spectrum and begin to enjoy the graphics upgrade
of the computer. Trouble was there was no point of reference.
There was nothing prior to this gaming period of this type so I
spent a lot of money buying crap games. Games like 3D Tunnel,
Embassy Assault, Aquarius, Transylvanian Tower, were truly very
very bad. I always felt I'd been ripped off. So I started to read
the reviews and dabbled in a few classics like the Horace series.
The graphics were really basic, but they were at least fun to play.
I started to refine my gaming interests and soon I was appreciating
the way better games, Games like, Jetpak, Atic Atac, Manic Miner
and Oracles Cave. I was beginning to clock up late nights and many
hours playing the more selected games. By the time I got to the
later classics of Uridium, Cyclone and Tornado Low Level, I was
in need of much better and advanced games to satisfy my thirst.
Even by this time games like Horace were confined to the shelves
never to be played again. And not only were the games becoming
ever more improved, so too was the kit. My gaming passion never
like ever ceased and I'm still looking for the next best thing.
So what is the point. Simple really, old games have a nostalgic
value but I'd say out of the entire catalogue on any platform
there is like five percent worth playing. Which brings me back
to my original point, and that is why collect so many. There
are just not enough hours in the day to play all these games.
And my guess is that the majority of the dross which come with
very little background information when downloaded off the net,
just isn't going to hold anyone's interest for very long. If you
know your platform you probably already know the better games
to play. For most I would suggest it's a catalogue of twelve games
or maybe stretch that to a small shelf full.
The truth is you are probably better just shelling out for a
'REAL' computer or console and treating yourself to the best of
the period in their original boxes and at least have the joy of
owning the original stuff. That for me is the most rewarding
part of putting together a collection. I could probably list all
the games you would ever need to buy, for any of the platforms
here and it would amount to two dozen tops.
I used the Spectrum as a reference point cus the games I show here
post the Transylvanian Tower crap are probably the only games
worth getting for the Sinclair Spectrum. If I was to put a list
together for the Amiga I would probably have a similar number
on the list. In truth having the original stuff is way more rewarding
than having a USB stick full of mediocre dross.
I show also some games from the Roland series for the Amstrad. I
wont bore you with the significance of Roland to the Amstrad
platform, but suffice to say his antics were well known. I am in
the throws of putting together a small Roland collection for my
little museum here. They are important to the Amstrad back story.
However, would I ever play them ? Do me a favour, they truly
are crap. I do feel kinda sorry for anyone that invests in an old
computer and a fist full of USB sticks to feed their Gotek, cus
they are in for one hell of a disappointment. Most of the games of
the Amiga era were modestly entertaining at best, with a very
large number truly crap. Add to that the re-playability value after
all these years, given what you are use to gaming wise today, and
I suspect there are quite a few retro computers lying idle.
Anyhoo, those were my thoughts. Me I love old games. Can't get
enough of them. But not to play. I'm still looking out for a much
better game to play than the last one. I have a list here and I
can assure you there are no retro titles... except Roland.
Have fun and stay frosty. I'm off to play Detroit on the ZX81. NOT !!
Why do people play old games?.
D E T R O I T
where we are today. Incredible.
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Last updated 29th September 2022
Chandraise Kingdom
Keep the Faith
scuzzscink 2022