Can PS2 Compete Against Older Games?

omega four · 2013-04-23, 02:43 PM

Now that PS2 has become an "infantry-focused" game, thanks to a number of gameplay decisions by its developers, I was curious if PS2 could compete against other games where infantry-combat is the focus of gameplay. The weakening of vehicles and aircraft and the simultaneous strengthening of infantry has resulted in PS2 becoming much more infantry-friendly and focused than at any time in its brief history.

I put together the following short video comparing INFANTRY-ONLY gameplay from Bad Company 2, BF3, and PS2.

I showed this video to a number of colleagues and friends, most who would characterize themselves as casual gamers (i.e. they play video games as a diversion or just for fun).

I asked them as simple question: "Based on the infantry combat gameplay you've seen, which game do you think you'd most likely play?"

The majority winner was the oldest game of the group: Bad Company 2. The game that came in last place was BF3.

Most voters felt that Bad Company 2 looked the most exciting to play and praised it's explosions, audio sound effects, destructible environment, and smooth character animations.

They also thought that PS2 looked interesting with its sci-fi look, equipment (glowing shields, etc.), and large number of players. But they felt PS2's graphics and sound effects were underwhelming and from a previous generation of games (BF2). They were a little turned off by the "clunky" character animations, especially after someone died.

Finally, the voters felt that BF3 looked the most "cheap" and "cartoonish" of all. While the character animations were smooth and the environment looked fantastic, they thought that the game lacked polish as a whole.

While this informal survey didn't really take gameplay into account, it does show that casual gamers are drawn to games that excite their senses (visual, auditory). It's interesting how the oldest game of the bunch was the one that seemed to achieve that goal.

maradine · 2013-04-23, 02:50 PM

Curious why the chronicler chose to only display the most white-bread of infantry gameplay - random HAs coming up behind a guy and unloading. There's exactly one good PS2 firefight in that footage.

ChipMHazard · 2013-04-23, 02:54 PM

I'm also curious as to when PS2 supposively shifted towards being more of an infantry based gaming experience. More so than it was before. Because of all the AT+AA weapons available to infantry?

Just how often are you going to be finding infantry only fights in PS2? The Bio Lab... And that's pretty much it, well unless you move onto the pads at which point you might just become fodder for the circling seagulls all screaming "Mine!"

omega four · 2013-04-23, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by maradine

Curious why the chronicler chose to only display the most white-bread of infantry gameplay - random HAs coming up behind a guy and unloading. There's exactly one good PS2 firefight in that footage.

The footage I put into this comparison video is all recent (within the past 4 days). I didn't want to cherry pick from the "best" battles. I wanted to show what actual gameplay looked like if a casual gamer were to just log on at any given moment and start playing.

ThatGoatGuy · 2013-04-23, 02:58 PM

I would say, even though I watched as a PS2 player, that watching it WITHOUT sound makes PS2 look fucking awesome.

maradine · 2013-04-23, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by omega four

The footage I put into this comparison video is all recent (within the past 4 days). I didn't want to cherry pick from the "best" battles. I wanted to show what actual gameplay looked like if a casual gamer were to just log on at any given moment and start playing.

Yeah, I guess if you just walk out of the warp gate into the surrounding hills, you're going to be pretty bored. Why not show the actual entertaining fights, since that's what you assert is desired?

ItZMuRdA · 2013-04-23, 03:01 PM

I would not concur that it has become an infantry-focused game by any means. I wish it would, and it is moving in that direction, but I'm still awaiting improved spawn room mechanics and more forced indoor battles completely inaccessible by vehicles and their weaponry. Even PS1 had more of that -- when you captured a courtyard, you HAD to move indoors, sometimes for what would become very long indoor battles. I wish we had more of that in PS2 rather than it being viable to sit in a vehicle 100% of your time if that's your thing.

omega four · 2013-04-23, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by maradine

Yeah, I guess if you just walk out of the warp gate into the surrounding hills, you're going to be pretty bored. Why not show the actual entertaining fights, since that's what you assert is desired?

My goal isn't to advertise for any particular game, nor is it to detract or dissuade others from any particular game as well.

While I won't go out of my way to show any particular game in a bad light, I won't go out of my way to show any particular game in all its glory.

I wanted to show causal gamers what they could expect if they were to play any of these 3 games without having to join a clan or outfit first.

For most casual gamers trying out PS2, they are not going to experience huge exciting battles. If anything, when they click "Instant Action", it'll drop them into a field or empty base with nothing but the sound of crickets....

omega four · 2013-04-23, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by ItZMuRdA

I would not concur that it has become an infantry-focused game by any means. I wish it would, and it is moving in that direction, but I'm still awaiting improved spawn room mechanics and more forced indoor battles completely inaccessible by vehicles and their weaponry. Even PS1 had more of that -- when you captured a courtyard, you HAD to move indoors, sometimes for what would become very long indoor battles. I wish we had more of that in PS2 rather than it being viable to sit in a vehicle 100% of your time if that's your thing.

If you're a tank driver or aircraft pilot, then you would know that PS2 has already become an infantry-focused game.

Tanks fall very easily to infantry (RPGs, ESRLs, AV turrets, C4, etc.). Aircraft fall very easily to MAXs, Skyguards, base turrets, ESRLs, lock-on RPGs, etc.

PS2 is all about infantry combat now.

maradine · 2013-04-23, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by omega four

If you're a tank driver or aircraft pilot, then you would know that PS2 has already become an infantry-focused game.

Tanks fall very easily to infantry (RPGs, ESRLs, AV turrets, C4, etc.). Aircraft fall very easily to MAXs, Skyguards, base turrets, ESRLs, lock-on RPGs, etc.

PS2 is all about infantry combat now.

I am a full-time pilot, and I have never been more satisfied since tech test. But please do speak for us.

omega four · 2013-04-23, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by ChipMHazard

I'm also curious as to when PS2 supposively shifted towards being more of an infantry based gaming experience. More so than it was before. Because of all the AT+AA weapons available to infantry?

Just how often are you going to be finding infantry only fights in PS2? The Bio Lab... And that's pretty much it, well unless you move onto the pads at which point you might just become fodder for the circling seagulls all screaming "Mine!"

I didn't say "infantry-only". My exact words were "infantry-focused". There IS a difference.

I'm actually indifferent towards PS2 becoming more infantry-focused. But I do think it calls into question if PS2 can compete against other games that are also infantry-focused.

Based on my informal survey, I think PS2 loses out to "brighter, shinier" games that captivate the short attention spans of casual gamers.

So while PS2 will appeal to the more serious, dedicated gamers, it will be challenged to grow a substantial gamer/customer base.

omega four · 2013-04-23, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by maradine

I am a full-time pilot, and I have never been more satisfied since tech test. But please do speak for us.

Good for you. But then again, you're probably not a casual gamer, are you?

ItZMuRdA · 2013-04-23, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by omega four

If you're a tank driver or aircraft pilot, then you would know that PS2 has already become an infantry-focused game.

Tanks fall very easily to infantry (RPGs, ESRLs, AV turrets, C4, etc.). Aircraft fall very easily to MAXs, Skyguards, base turrets, ESRLs, lock-on RPGs, etc.

PS2 is all about infantry combat now.

And I'm almost a full-time infantry player, and I also disagree with you. Vehicles hundreds of meters away still make me shake my fist in anger when I explode to them while actually trying to battle other infantry. There can be a place for vehicles, out in the big open fields, but there should also be a place for infantry fights. Currently, too many bases are still designed where vehicle spam can reach all the way to the poorly designed spawn shields.

omega four · 2013-04-23, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by ItZMuRdA

And I'm almost a full-time infantry player, and I also disagree with you. Vehicles hundreds of meters away still make me shake my fist in anger when I explode to them while actually trying to battle other infantry. There can be a place for vehicles, out in the big open fields, but there should also be a place for infantry fights. Currently, too many bases are still designed where vehicle spam can reach all the way to the poorly designed spawn shields.

Why do you shake your fists in anger?

Are you using a HA class or are you playing a sniper?

Did you buy ESRLs or lock on RPGs?

Are you using an Engineer class with an AV turret?

It's not SOE's fault if it provides you with SO many anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons but you choose not to use them.

ItZMuRdA · 2013-04-23, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by omega four

Why do you shake your fists in anger?

Are you using a HA class or are you playing a sniper?

Did you buy ESRLs or lock on RPGs?

Are you using an Engineer class with an AV turret?

It's not SOE's fault if it provides you with SO many anti-tank weapons but you choose not to use them.

You're missing the point. I'm not saying anything about any of those things. I'm not complaining vehicles are too hard to kill, I'm saying that it is too easy for them to shell infantry hundreds of meters away.

I like fighting infantry with infantry. This thread is about infantry, right? You can see in my stats I use vehicles very little, and I also kill vehicles very little. What I'm talking about is base design that promotes infantry fights where people actually have to get out of their vehicles at one point to continue the battle -- just like PS1 did.