Endings vs Score.....

Schusler

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Remember Bitd it was all about getting the high score on a game! I loved this idea but when the mid 80's to late 80's came around, jamma era, games started having endings. I was duped at that time, I didn't care about my high score, just wanted closure-an ending! At this time correct me if I'm wrong games starting to have a continuation feature not only allowing you to continue a game but the score as well...

Fast forward to today.... I'm really starting to dislike these games that do have endings and back to the mode were the high score is king almighty!

For example, I have an Atari Indiana Jones... Well once you cross the rope bridge and make Mola Ram crocidile fodder; it's time you seperate the men from the boys where you do a *challenge stage* and try to get as many statues/points as possible...

An example of closure, Marble Madness... Now I admit I suck at this game but after watching a youtube vid of this guy destroying this game and watching the end, "that's it? No second go around-ramping the difficulty up? Bah!

In no way I'm ripping M.M, in fact I love it but how much better this game would be if there was no ending!

So in the long wrong run... Has anybody lost the passion about the *high score*? Or, do people prefer closure?

This also applies to pinball peeps as well! Getting the Wizard modes completed and that's it, or running your name up on the high score display getting the satisfaction of the score?
 
the endings is the kill screen.
Remember Bitd it was all about getting the high score on a game! I loved this idea but when the mid 80's to late 80's came around, jamma era, games started having endings. I was duped at that time, I didn't care about my high score, just wanted closure-an ending! At this time correct me if I'm wrong games starting to have a continuation feature not only allowing you to continue a game but the score as well...

Fast forward to today.... I'm really starting to dislike these games that do have endings and back to the mode were the high score is king almighty!

For example, I have an Atari Indiana Jones... Well once you cross the rope bridge and make Mola Ram crocidile fodder; it's time you seperate the men from the boys where you do a *challenge stage* and try to get as many statues/points as possible...

An example of closure, Marble Madness... Now I admit I suck at this game but after watching a youtube vid of this guy destroying this game and watching the end, "that's it? No second go around-ramping the difficulty up? Bah!

In no way I'm ripping M.M, in fact I love it but how much better this game would be if there was no ending!

So in the long wrong run... Has anybody lost the passion about the *high score*? Or, do people prefer closure?

This also applies to pinball peeps as well! Getting the Wizard modes completed and that's it, or running your name up on the high score display getting the satisfaction of the score?
 
my 2 cents....
the high score era is not necessarily gone but has instead transformed into a different beast. Sure most games nowadays end, to provide that closure mindset, but with the introduction of trophies in games we now have experienced an increase in gameplay without alienating either camp! You can play the game just to "finish it" or you can continue playing and try to achieve all the trophies, which in my book is similar to achieving a high score
 
It depends on the game. In games where speed is king, like Virtual On, having run throughs timed and a way to record your speed is best IMO. But in games that are all about survival, I think score is best. I like how many SHMUPS continue repeating, it keeps things interesting :) On the other hand, with some arcade titles, I appreciate an eventual ending because no matter how good I am at a game, I don't have the stamina to stay up for four days straight to keep playing for the world record without dying X_X I can see pros and cons of each approach, but I like having both--the variety keeps things interesting, and I find that different people prefer each.
 
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