Lunchtime Discussion: Crystal Balls
Make Pachter proud!
Published: 12:00, 25/06/2010 by Chris [cc_star].
44This week has been characterised by a distinct lack of Lunchtime Discussions, but the more observant amongst us would have noticed we covered this absence in Monday’s discussion. Not happy with this TSA community member and all-round good guy bunimomike has drew up up his own discussion, so without further delay, over to him.
As we languidly roll up to the halfway mark for 2010 we’ve already seen some incredible titles. Ones strong enough to perhaps make it all the way through to the lofty heights of earning TSA’s ‘Game Of The Year’ moniker. We already have some top scoring titles like UFC Undisputed 2010, Split/Second: Velocity, Red Dead Redemption, ModNation Racer, to name but a few.
The other part to this discussion is a little more intriguing as I’m unaware of past trends whereas the mighty TSA brethren can help me out. Are there particular genres of games that simply never win GOTY, or at the very least, barely ever makes it to the finals.
How often do we see a sports game make it through to the medal ceremony; or perhaps a driving game or two? Whether we like it or not it’s the one time where genres are consciously (and sometimes subconsciously) compared to each other through each respective title.
Although we all know the following six months have some real gems approaching as well as secretly holding a candle for Terminator Salvation 2 appearing at the Tokyo Game Show. Hey, come back, I was joking!
So with all of this in mind do we have a clear winner already or do we need to push aside Tuffcub’s pendulous poll and buff one of his mighty orbs to get a glimpse of the future. Either way, most of us will be having two showers today just to get over the imagery I’ve accidentally conjured in all of our minds.
Hang up on Ladbrokes or close down that email to Richard Branson. TSA is the place to divulge all your inside knowledge and drunken guesses. What say you?
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25/06/2010 at 12:05
Member since: Forever
I think we’ve seen some bumper games early in the year, sure MAG & Heavy Rain aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are pushing the boundaries.
Adrenaline-wise Split/Second is going to be right up there for some time to come, but even I wouldn’t say it was GotY material. It’s unmissable in it’s own right, but something else will further gaming better.
I’m not sure when Epic Mickey is out, but that sounds like a GotC (century) contender and on the PS3 front there are still plenty of big hitters to come, despite the early part of the year being heavily loaded.
25/06/2010 at 12:13
Member since: Jul 2009
Tiny typo on the tag-line. His surname is Pachter not Patcher. Sorry for being a spelling nazi! :-)
Regarding your reply, that’s a fair point. Something that furthers gaming would be nice but equally it has to appeal to the masses. Not always easy to do both things with one title. I hate seeing juggernaut franchises winning accolades because of sheer momentum but appreciate their appeal.
I suppose it then begs the question as to what makes a GOTY in the first place. What are the criteria, etc.
25/06/2010 at 12:41
Member since: Forever
Yes, CoD is never, ever GotY material no matter how many people buy it.
I’m not going to dis it as it as there is awesome entertainment to be had online but its the same as every previous episode with the notch dialled up one. Great? maybe, but GotY? Never!
Stuff like Flower made it into TSA top 5 because it was not only a bit different but also damn good.
Batman: AA did something not seen with a movie/TV/comic/ character and was awesome.
Uncharted 2, Killzone 2 and many others were also rightfully voted in.
Again I’m not sure on the release date, but the other game (other than Epic Mickey) to blow me away at this year’s E3 was Children Of Eden, it certainly looks one to watch out for – even though the dev never had a Move Dev kit (WTF?)
25/06/2010 at 12:21
Member since: May 2009
Racing games, I feel, never get to be GotY unless they’re Gran Turismo…
From the first half of the year, I can only see GoW3 as a real contender. MAG is too flawed, MNR too, S/S might not stand the test of time, RDR may well fall to that too (as GTA4 did). BFBC2 has one of the top multiplayer modes out there, but I don’t think it’s quite the complete package enough to win beyond “Best MP”.
Back end of the year, though, you’ve got LBP2 which will no doubt get half the PS3′s best ever awards, whilst the other half will go to Gran Turismo 5.
25/06/2010 at 13:49
Member since: Jul 2009
That’s a good point, matey. Stuff like LBP2 and GT5 will positively wrench certain accolades out of other games’ hands but nabbing the GOTY will still be tricky. LBP2 might suffer with us not truly seeing how glorious the title is until the community gets to grips with all the new tools.
25/06/2010 at 13:59
Member since: Forever
I wonder if hype levels will count against GT5
27/06/2010 at 11:21
Member since: Aug 2008
Lest we forget GT penchent for slippage. We might not actually see it this year
25/06/2010 at 15:59
Member since: Feb 2009
Shouldn’t necessarily have to appeal to the masses to win goty. Flower most definitely doesn’t appeal to the masses, but is well worth the nomination. Modnation could’ve been a contender if it wasn’t so broken. Can re-releases make it? God of was collection is one of my all time gaming highlights having never played either of them before. Not played god of war 3 yet as wanted to play through them in order, but if it’s as good as i’ve heard it’s in with a shout. In fact not played a lot of this year’s big hitters, but looking forward to getting round to red dead, which is also supposed to be a contender.