Quoted from pezpunk:Meh, grinding isn't a skill, and researching min/max strategies is only sort of a skill. I think the vast majority of modern games are substituting time sinks for difficulty curves. The exceptions are out there, but in general video games are more interested in creating barriers that are only surmountable with huge time investments, completely irrespective of skill.
Yes, many pinball machines and particular techniques take practice -- and therefore time -- to master, but that's fundamentally different from the way modern games manage progression. In pinball, your progression is limited only by how fast you can improve your skillset. Meanwhile, almost all games these days have built-in mechanisms that give inherent numerical advantages to players who have sunk more hours into them.
This is true to my original thinking. I was originally referring to "modern" games, console games in particular. That feeling that the game is just doing something to extend the experience regardless of skill is something I feel often.
I love deep RPG,s but I consider those more strategy and thinking games and these days require so much time investment. Shameless plug...I am a key dev on Wasteland 2
if you like rpgs try that!
Maybe I was a little naive when I first posted, video games do in fact require skill, especially the classics, its just different. I just got a Rastan machine and that game is a butt kicker. However....once I learn the game its a matter of memorization and timing to get through it.
Pinball feels like a much more tangible skill, I can take my play practice and style from game to game.
Metairie, LA
