The Incoming Generation

The Incoming Generation of Gaming

A teaser trailer was released last week on the Playstation blog for some sort of news; presumably regarding the much-rumored PS4.

The technological and social theater of gaming is much different than it was in 2005 and 2006 for the releases of the XBox 360 and PS3.  I have a specific prediction for the next generation of consoles, the PS4 in particular.  The Nintendo brand of hardware is generally excluded from this, because they have their market figured out.

The Playstation 4 Will be a PC Client

In the vein of Steam and Origin, the PS4 will not likely be a console at all.  It may be a highly privileged, very specific service for gaming on the PC whereby gamers will use the client to download the games which Sony publishes, or its installation may be required to play games published by Sony.

A few reasons for this prediction:

1.  Availability of Technology to the Consumer

In the years since the release of the current generation of consoles, technology has become much more prevalent.  The vast majority of the mobile phone market consists of smart phones, which double as internet browsers, triple as music players, and quadruple as gaming systems.  A person wanting a PC can walk into a major retailer with less than $400 and walk out with a machine that will run just about any game on the market for the foreseeable future, and this goes without saying the potential for upgradeable components.  For a little bit more money, that same customer can get a laptop with the same specs.

The high availability of technology makes the release of a future-proof console much less appealing from a business perspective.  In order to be relevant, it will have to be sold at a major loss; the PS3 retailed at $600 when it was released, and even then was not profitable without the support of software sales.  Now, this model has been the norm since the inception of gaming consoles; sell the system at a loss, recoup the loss and make profit from the sales of software and peripherals.  What is different now is that future-proofing a machine will likely put it over the threshold of what is worth the cost of manufacturing.

When the consumer can play games on their phone, PC or their tablet without having to buy an entirely separate system, what is their motivation to buy one?  Especially if it is going to be another few hundred dollars.  So what if you have God of War and Halo on your consoles?  Someone with an iPhone can be entertained for a lifetime from the app store.

2.  Resurgence of PC as a Platform

Six months ago, I spent a few hundred dollars on a gaming-quality PC.  It can play any and all games on the highest possible graphical settings, and also serves as a sort of entertainment hub.  I can stream movies, connect it to my TV with an HDMI output, play DVDs and, if I wanted to, install a Blu-Ray player for about the cost of what one retails.  All of my music and games come from my PC, and, since I built it, the only reason I've gone to a console is to play and exclusive like God of War 3 and Final Fantasy XIII, and the upcoming Last of Us.  If it was up to me, I'd play them all on the PC and free up some shelf space.

Sad to say, but I share this feeling with millions of people who see the obvious benefits of having a gaming-quality PC.  In addition to multifunctionality, superior visuals and capacity to host upgrades, most games which are available on consoles are also available on PC for a discounted price.  Anyone with Steam or Origin knows that they put up some stiff competition for their hard-copy counterparts, with retail games sometimes selling for a fraction of their cost.  In this respect, spending money on a gaming-quality PC is a worthwhile investment, assuming the person in question plays and buys a lot of games.

3.  Lack of Console Distinction

In the era of the PS2, XBox and Gamecube, the primary incentive to buy a console was to play games that could not be played anywhere else.  Also, the former two played DVDs.  Two forces are working against the console market in terms of distinction: the prevalence of third-party publishers and duplicate multifunctionality.

Most best-selling games are available on both the PS3 and XBox 360.  Madden and FIFA have always been Madden and FIFA, but most releases are multiplatform.  Whereas in eras past a gamer could expect to see between four and eight major exclusives per console per year, this number has dwindled to one or two.  This argument goes double for the XBox brand, since Halo and Gears of War are about the only franchises that are on the XBox but not also available on PC. 

Additionally, the PS3 and XBox 360 have just about all the same extra features.  The PS3 can play Blu-Ray movies, but besides that, both of them stream movies and internet radio, store pictures, music and digital-download games, feature voice chat, etc.  Besides playing games, there are a lot of reasons to own a PS3 or XBox 360, but most of them are the same reasons.  Nobody likes the Kinect and Move peripherals, so even though they sold like hotcakes, producing and marketing games to those who bought them is not likely to see returns.  Tablets and PCs have all of these capabilities and more, which makes consoles increasingly redundant.

4.  Sony's Behavior as a Company

Sony has been buying publishers.  Microsoft has been releasing them.  This means that for the foreseeable future, Playstation will be the only franchise with year over year exclusives.  While the argument may be posed that strong first-party support for a new console will make it a viable competitor with other electronics, it is countered by asking: why would Sony spend the money to design and manufacture a machine which will be sold at a loss and, when placed alongside its competition, be nearly redundant, when they can simply release them on pre-existing platforms and not have to be concerned with recouping those losses incurred by the release of a major console?  Even if they are sold as hard copies for the portion of their market without high-speed internet support, it is still a better option.

The Playstation Store is a beast, it is a mammoth digital warehouse, and is constantly being updated with both fresh, new releases and popular games of years past.  This model is very similar to Steam, the PC-only gaming service client.  With just a little more breadth, the Playstation brand could feasibly be a machine that simply connects to the internet, downloads games, and plays them.  Sony is waiting for the opportunity to release new games on the Playstation Store at significantly lower prices, but for the time being they have to "play fair" with retailers to keep their support.  If that's all that it does, what makes it different from a PC?

Further evidence of this gravitation is Sony's recently added feature to PSN that allows PS3 and PSVita owners to purchase content from the PSN from a tablet or PC-based internet browser.

5.  Microsoft's Nature as a Company

Microsoft publishes Windows, and therefore has an immediate and obvious incentive to want gamers to play games on a Windows operating system.  With the resurgence of PC gaming, it could be reasonably stated that Microsoft has been competing with itself.

The XBox 360 was the first of the consoles to mimic PC functionality; music and movie player, picture storage, and later on gave gamers instant access to movie streaming services and internet radio, and I've honestly lost count of all the stuff that the current generation of consoles can do besides play games.  Seeing as how the line between XBox and PC has become blurred, it would be financially sound to cut off the former to reinforce the latter.

6.  Consumer-end Financial Incentive

Videogames started on the PC.  The first consoles were released and marketed explicitly to children, but about the time of the SNES/Sega Genesis, the consoles became an alternative, more affordable, mass-produced source of videogames than the PC.  At the time, consoles could be purchased for around $200-$300, and by contrast, a real performance PC could cost over $2,000.  In twenty years, that margin has decreased, and considering the amount of computational capacity that can be purchased for a dollar, has very much inverted itself.  Gigabyte for gigabyte, it is now significantly more economical to purchase a PC than a console.  Given that the up and coming generation of consoles would have to be future-proof for at least eight years, that trend is not likely to slow down.

7.  Computer Literacy

My nine-year old brother has a Nabi: a children's tablet, and he knows how to use it.  In fact, he teaches me how to use it properly.  The appeal for purchasing a console used to be that there was not hassle with extra features and the need to be technically savvy, but two forces are making this idea obsolete: the first is that everyone, from my grandma and her smartphone to my brother and his Nabi, can at least operate a computer system.

From the other direction, the second force is that the user-interface of software and applications on PC has become much simpler than it was even ten years ago.  Windows 8, which I do not yet use, makes your start screen look like a tablet.  Steam, the gaming client, takes care of literally every aspect of playing games on the PC to the point that, besides logging in, there is no practical difference between playing a console game and playing the same game on the PC.  Steam automatically updates and patches all of my games, handles my DirectX, installs everything... I've always been reasonably competent with computer operations, but Steam lets me be lazy and just click my way through installations and the like.

Sony could do the same thing: make a Playstation client, or just call it PSN and Playstation owners can access their online content from their PC.

8.  Used Game Lockout Rumors

For about two years, rumors have been circulating that the next generation of consoles will have features that lock out the player's ability to play previously-owned games on their console.  These rumors have circulated about Sony and Microsoft alike; all the while, publishers have been taking extra precautions to protect their investments by locking certain portions of their games' content with online passes for multiplayer access, and instantly redeemable codes for bonus content included with new games.

PCs have been using one-time use codes for years; I remember installing Starcraft on my 11th birthday in 1999 and needing to use a CD key.  It is not unlikely that the same feature will be applied to full retail games.  Similarly, digital downloads completely circumvent that problem by their very nature.

9.  Small Games vs. Big Games

When XBox Live Arcade and PSN were first launched, they offered old games first.  Classic side-scrollers like Sonic and top-down games like Centipede were all that the online services could offer beyond Geometry Wars.  Soon, games which were not only new, but awesome, were available on them, like Shadow Complex and fl0w, and now downloadable games are nearly indistinguishable from full-priced retail games.  Now, there are only "games," and the distinction of their medium has been all but lost.  Such is the quality of download-only games in recent memory.

With that, I look forward to Sony's forthcoming announcement.  Regardless of the accuracy of my predictions, I'm sure that my favorite publishers and developers will continue to make great games.

What do you think?  Leave a comment, and let me know!

Speaking Up for the Voiceless

When I first played Half-Life back in 2001 on the family PC, I was immediately taken aback by how much the Black Mesa staff welcomed me into their community. They made eye contact with me, spoke directly to me, and addressed me like the entry-level theoretical physicist I was. Following the infamous Resonance Cascade, the interaction with Black Mesa personnel shifted from condescending remarks towards a subordinate to pleas for help, requests for assistance and fearful, panicked inquiries. Every chapter of the game brought new challenges, along with new allies and friends to provide help, right up until the mysterious G-Man offered me a contract for my services, or a battle I could never hope to win.

Valve’s Half-Life shattered my adolescent brain even three years after its release when I first played it. The narrative was, and still is, as engaging as it is mysterious and thought-provoking. Half-Life succeeded in breaking the fourth wall without violating the suspension of disbelief, and all the credit is due to the mustachioed mute, Gordon Freeman.

Since the advent of the 6th generation of home consoles, ushered in by Sony’s PlayStation 2 in 2000, storytelling in videogames has become much more sophisticated. Along with gorgeous cutscenes and dramatic scripts, many characters have been given a voice for their every line of dialogue. Advances in technology, the industry’s escalating popularity, and greater budgets have paved the way for lavish production values which include voice-acting and lip-synching. New intellectual properties such as Mass Effect and recent installments of classic franchises alike have been embracing all the possibilities offered by technological advances.

A handful of developers, however, have been abiding by the storytelling techniques introduced before budgets and media storage permitted fully-voiced and narrated scripts. As indicated by the comments and feedback provided by irate and impatient gamers on media outlets and forums, much of the gaming community would like to see these methods of narration go the way of the cartridge. Vocal, outspoken protagonists and avatars have, by many consumers, been adopted as an industry standard.

The progression of technology has allowed new methods of storytelling, but these are simply an option for developers and producers to pursue. The silent protagonist is a narrative mechanic that is unique to the medium of videogames, which is why Link, Gordon Freeman, and others have remained mute while so much of the gaming landscape has begun speaking up. Silent protagonists allow players to evaluate situations and scenarios free from the influence of an outspoken protagonist, and this satisfies a unique storytelling niche.

Such a cryptic opening for Half-Life 2 is made possible by an uninterrupted monologue.

Gordon Freeman’s fateful interview with the enigmatic G-Man at the end of Half-Life would not carry the same weight if Gordon Freeman had been able to interrupt the monologue with questions. Anticipating closure and resolve, the player chugs along through the game’s narrative across earthly and alien landscapes, all the while catching occasional glimpses of their stalker. The player is left to wonder his motives and the purpose of his scheme when the credits begin rolling, even after they had been directly and personally addressed by the enigmatic agent. A finale as discrete as entering the portal on the tram after Gordon’s sinister encounter leaves much for players to question, and is conducive to producing the thought-provocation and speculation that builds strong gaming communities.

While playing through The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, players are free to feel naturally all the emotions elicited by the game. Players were able to witness the majesty of Lake Hylia, and feel the stress of scaling the erupting Death Mountain without a word of observation from Link. Players felt dread penetrate their consciousness following their emergence from the Temple of Time, as well as a violated sense of justice at Lon Lon Ranch. We felt relief at the sight of Princess Ruto after learning her entire race had been extinguished, and we were compelled to exact vengeance on Ganondorf at the top of his sinister castle. All these moments and more were made memorable by provision of context, a strong cast of Non-Playable Characters (NPCs), unique landscapes, and a driving sense of duty. From outwitting the Kokiri bully Milo to driving the Master Sword into the demon Ganon’s ugly face, players completed a grand and emotive journey without ever having a feeling suggested by their avatar.

In no way could a dialogue have made this climax more exciting.

An additional virtue of Link’s passive demeanor is that players are able to impart elements of their own personality into the game. Link is the everyday man summoned by fate and sent on an extraordinary journey. He connects with the player from the get-go, because at one time or another everyone has been “the kid without a fairy.” Whether playground alienations or the first day at university are fresh in a player’s memory, everyone can sympathize with “Mr. No-Fairy.” Additionally, everyone has had a fantasy or two of being in the world for a special and particular reason. Inspired by real-life heroes like doctors, generals, parents and entertainers, everyone has a childhood fantasy hiding within them, and Link’s Hylian blood ties him to a grand destiny. By remaining silent through the entire adventure, Link remains every player’s inner hero; our fantasies and inspirations he vicariously fulfills.

Dead Space provided a very different experience, but used similar mechanics. Players assumed the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer tasked with repairing the USG Ishimura; a gigantic space-faring vessel used for mining and refining ores obtained from planets. However, once aboard the ship, inspections and repairs took a backseat to survival and escape, as it was overrun with a hive-minded alien colony. The dark, claustrophobic interior of the planet-cracking vessel took players on a tour of terrors as they scrambled to escape. Players experienced fear and panic under an onslaught of hordes of necromorphs; the flesh-hungry, reanimated corpses of those aboard the Ishimura who sought only the destruction of Isaac Clarke. The few remaining humans on the ship provided no solace as the brainwashed pawns of a greater conspiracy.

Now is not the time for quips and jokes...

From fighting off alien hordes with a dwindling supply of munitions to watching their fellow man’s gruesome sacrifice during a malicious ritual, players needed no suggestions to be frightened. While some action-adventure games employ occasional comic relief with their protagonist’s one-liners and witty quips, Dead Space allows the oppressive atmosphere to take full-effect over the player. Orders given to the player by desperate, dying and traitorous squadmates only perpetuated the feeling of hopelessness and dread. Through the whole game, players are not once suggested by their avatar to feel scared, because the ambiance and plot do the job so effectively.

These points are not to suggest that silent protagonists offer a better gaming experience by default. Intricate and memorable plots witnessed in franchises such as Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy would only be possible with an active protagonist propelling the action along. However, the silent protagonist is a narrative mechanic that is unique to the medium of videogames. No movie, book or musical will ever be able to issue orders, inquiries and pleas directly to the player like Alyx Vance and Princess Zelda have. Avatars who actively engage the machines of fate have the potential to make a more cinematic experience out of a game, at the cost of ushering the player into an observer’s role, whereas silent ones invite the player directly into their form. I hope that Link, Gordon Freeman and new characters will continue to invite me into their world even as available technology would permit them to speak for themselves.

Reviewing Games with Consistency

As consumers are gravitating towards videogames as a primary source of entertainment, an understanding of the medium becomes more and more important. Dozens of games are released each month when console, mobile and internet platforms are all considered. In order to provide the public with an impression of the features and quality of the games on the market, periodicals and websites feature reviews with which readers can consult when considering a purchase. Although every different site employs a variety of editors to review new games, and each of those reviewers has their gaming preferences, every reviewer ought to agree on a few key elements that are requisite for a high-quality game. Personalities and favoritisms aside, a gaming enthusiast with experience can evaluate a game's worth based on a few criteria.

Concept

This is the most forgiving of the 3 elements of reviewing games. Every developer has a goal in mind when producing a game, and the concept of the game is the experience which producers intend to convey to the player. Whether that goal is something safe and familiar to the consumers, such as a military-themed FPS or a medieval-themed RPG, or if the game focuses on more abstract, unexplored themes, the object of the game sets its tone from the get-go. Even games that use simple concepts to hook players like Tetris or Lumines have set good goals, because they are so concise.

For example, a genre with which the public is familiar is the First-Person Shooter (FPS.) As long as the game doesn't deviate too much from the core formula of shooting enemies in between checkpoints, the players know what they're getting themselves into at the time of purchase and hopefully enjoy the game every step of the way. FPS games have proven to be an enjoyable experience for many consumers, and have become a staple of the gaming industry as a result.

Call of Duty is a modern FPS at its purest.

Contrasting both the bleeding edge of innovation and the security of industry staples, a game whose object is completely inane and suffers for it is the 2007 promotional game, Sneak King. If reviewed alongside contemporary retail games, Sneak King is a flop. The goal of the game is to provide Burger King products to hungry people without getting caught.

Sneak King has a very low ceiling setting above its head, because the goal of the game is short on inspiration. Even if Sneak King featured a revolutionary interactive narrative mechanic and cutting edge graphics and sound, its intentional campiness prevents it from reaching any level of impact or influence.

Whoppers aren’t the only thing with cheese…

Let the fact that I had to resort to considering a fast food promotional deal to find a game with a bad videogame concept with which to compare a good concept. The contemporary gaming market is far more often than not inhabited by games with good concepts, and bad concepts are the minority. Even videogames aimed at children can have sound concepts, as long as they are age-appropriate.

Additionally, the goal of the game must be acknowledged when rating its performance under certain criteria. A design choice must be recognized as context appropriate, rather than a flaw. The black-and-white visuals presented by 2010’s LIMBO are bad by conventional standards, but are unique when considering the minimalistic nature of the game. Another sound example is within the Ratchet and Clank franchise, all of which feature simple, jovial storylines and humor. Elaborate storylines a la Metal Gear Solid or weapons and wounds as they appear in the Halo franchise would simply feel out of place in such a feel-good game.

There are no extra points for headshots on Tyrranhoids.

The concept of the game is the best way to evaluate it at face value. Whether a game carries the ambitious goals of a triple-A holiday release or those of a simple, monothematic XBLA or PSN release, what the producers have chosen to convey to the player is the first and primary set of criteria from which all other evaluations stem.

Direct Competition

Sadly, the main limiting factor for many games is the saturation of their niche. Games that are products of fads or derivatives of successful titles within the videogame industry itself are the main perpetrators in this case. All too often, a game that is commercially successful and revolves around an unusual concept sees a slew of copycats in its wake.

Gamers saw this effect in play during the early 2000s, as the success of Grand Theft Auto III inspired a myriad of antihero/sandbox-style games that flooded the market for a good five years. Alongside the sandbox fad was the World War II themed FPS, all following the tracks left by Medal of Honor. During the early 1990s, while Mario and Sonic were neck-and-neck in the race for console platformer supremacy, they were followed to the finish line by untold numbers of copycats; everything from movie-licensed cash-ins to start-up franchises saw 2D, side-scrolling entries and interpretations. Most recently, shooting games with an emphasis on online play and leveling systems have been the games to produce; just about every FPS released since 2007's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare hit the market has been emulating its formula, grabbing for the low-hanging fruit left over from Activision's harvest.

Not surprisingly, the best games inspired by GTA were… other GTA games.

The answer to a market saturated with games that feature a few genres or a select style is uniqueness and daring. With sequels and franchising proving more profitable than innovation and creativity, one-of-a-kind titles are getting harder to come by. Even if a game is critically praised and supported by an extensive ad campaign, delving too far into unfamiliar territories may prevent it from achieving levels of fame any higher than "cult classic." The commercial disappointments of games like Psychonauts and Beyond Good and Evil remind publishers and developers of the dangers associated with straying too far from established stylistic norms.

Stylistic choices are not to be confused with standards put forth by advances in technology and maturing tastes. Elements of convenience within the interface of a game are expected by players, and the industry is better as a whole because of these advances. While some players may prefer the old-school style of turn-based RPGs as found in Dragon Quest to modern real-time RPGs such as Dragon Age: Origins, no one will say that they prefer stuttering frame rates to a smooth 30 frames per second. Some players will claim that games from past generations are better for their unforgiving difficulty, but far fewer will prefer password-input to track their progress instead of conventional save-systems.

A critical analysis takes into account the gaming market contemporary with a release. If a game includes mechanics that have recently seen popularity, while they may be well-implemented and serve their purpose well, no points will be awarded for creativity. The aforementioned leveling systems which have permeated every crevice of the FPS community are a prime example of features that work well in a variety of settings, but are far too common to be considered creative or refreshing. Lastly, industry norms of interface must be regarded as expectations rather than design choices, and rated appropriately.

Execution

This is an evaluation of a game from a more technical standpoint. How well does the game load?? Do the sounds occur with appropriate timing and volume?? Can players walk through walls?? Is the system of receiving and completing missions easy to use, or too simple?? Is inventory management a pain?? How is the difficulty pacing??

All of these are questions which critics ask when evaluating a game's execution. A game may employ fresh mechanics to grab the player’s attention, an inspiring narrative for personal connection, and feature a never-before-seen graphics style, but if the player never really feels like they’re in control, a player will be unable to connect with the game. In the experience of playing a game, its technical execution is the binding agent that holds all the different components together. Graphical and audio fidelity must complement what is happening on-screen; the quality of visuals and sound with which the gamer is accustomed must be present, if not exceeded, to prevent them from being a distraction. Rough edges, awkward placements of blur, choppy framerates and low polygon counts scream for attention in the current market and have the potential to violate the suspension of disbelief; instead of paying attention to a key cutscene or a thrilling boss battle, a player may be wondering why their avatar’s cheeks look like a violated prism.

"Has everyone been able to keep their feet above ground today?"

In addition to visual and auditory aesthetics, a player must feel in control of the game at all times. As Cliff Blezinski said during an interview with IGN.com during the Gears of War 3 beta, a player must be blaming themselves for their failures so that they are encouraged to try again and perform better. Input commands must be mapped sensibly to a controller if played on a console, and regardless of the platform the on-screen action must be responsive to a player’s input. The more latency between a player’s keystroke and their avatar’s movement, the less connected the player feels to the game.

Additionally, menu navigation must be as streamlined as possible without compromising depth. Many games, specifically RPGs, require the use of in-game menus so that the player may employ spells and abilities of their choice from a wide array of options. The best menus offer simple designs with enough information present that the player has a clear and intuitive understanding of their functions, and the full arsenal of a player’s in-game abilities are at their disposal with minimal keystrokes. A good menu system is like that of Dragon Age: Origins; a wheel-based spell and talent bank minimizes the time between the desire to cast a plague upon one’s enemies and watching the carnage unfold on-screen.

On Grading

Many publications that feature videogame reviews employ a ratings scale. Most of these take the form of a 20-point numerical scale, with ratings ranging from 1-10 at 0.5 intervals, examples being IGN and Game Informer. Some sources used to have a 100-point scale, with ratings ranging from 0-10 with 0.1 intervals, and 10-point star ratings, similar to those of movie ratings. Personally, I prefer using straight lettergrades, resulting in a 5-point scale with each lettergrade having distinct qualifications.

Lettergrades with the following specifications allow for the most consistent ratings from game to game. The aforementioned criteria for game reviews can be best implemented inside of a lettergrade system because of its clear distinctions between grades, whereas 10-point, 20-point and 100-point scales lack definition between intervals. The criteria for meeting certain lettergrades are as follows:

A: These are the games that really define the medium. A-games have the potential to move both their genre and the industry forward by raising the bar. Sometimes, an A-game is a genre-bending, indefinable experience that doesn’t quite fit any prescribed quantifications, though games that exemplify the state of the art by combining the best of contemporary ideas into an unforgettable experience may receive an A-grade. In addition to these staggering expectations, all the great ideas must be implemented with near-perfect execution, effectively exceeding expectations. Anyone who enjoys playing videogames will greatly benefit from playing games of this caliber.

Half-Life, 1998.

B: B-games are great games that, more often than not, meet a player’s expectations. While not necessarily an experience that will stick with someone for a lifetime, be it with special memories or infinite replayability, B-games are still great games with solid foundations and adequately satisfy the lofty goal of a producer. Fans of specific genres, franchises, contexts and/or themes ought to play this game, and players who are not usually familiar with the style of the game will likely find it enjoyable.

Lost Planet, 2007

C: C-games are where consumer-awareness starts to take form as a negative experience. “C” as a lettergrade in primary and high school represents satisfactory performances, which is exactly what represents here. These are games that are average; not much to speak of with respect to new ideas, some technical/aesthetic flaws hinder the game as an experience, and a producer’s goals are sometimes met by the game, and sometimes it falls short of adequacy. As a product, satisfactory is a good brand to have, but when considering the investments of time and money that the game will demand, buyer beware. Here is where franchise loyalty will really come into play, as well as genre enthusiasm.

True Crime: Streets of L.A., 2004

D: D-games don’t bring very much to the table. Faulty from a technical perspective is usually what separates a C-game from a D-game, and these border on unplayable. Recommending a D-game to anyone is difficult. Fortunately, D-games are hard to come by.

Sneak King, 2006

F: F-games are faulty and uninspired with respect to all criteria, and are sure to send any buyer into a frenzy of anger and disappointment and having invested their hard-earned money into a stinker. An F-rating is essentially a warning to avoid a game.

I'm sure they are out there, but I'm not sure I've ever played a game that deserves an F-rating.

Concept, contemporaries and execution are the best criteria by which to review games across genres and platforms with consistency. Breaking games down by other criteria may exclude certain design choices. Lastly, lettergrades are the best way to rate games with consistency, and therefore ought to be implemented as a primary grading system instead of numerical scores.