Join the cast of Another Videogame Webcomic as we peek behind the curtain to see what exactly goes into bringing your favorite video games to the small screen. It may be a job in video games, but it's still a job.
Who ya gonna call?
Videogame rivalries have been around for as long as the joystick has. Were you an Atari or Intellivision guy? Or perhaps you sided with ColecoVision? Did you own the Nintendo Entertainment System or the Sega Master System? Were plumbers
hopped up on mushrooms your deal? Or was a hedgehog
on speed more your cup of tea? Did the quick load times of a cartridge outweigh the higher storage capacity of a cd? And which multi-billion dollar company really has the best interests of the gamer in mind?
In the beginning, the battlegrounds for the console wars were graphics. As the systems got better, the gap between the graphics on each system got smaller. So the console wars turned to first-party franchises, to sway consumers from one camp to another. Joining the first-party franchises were the third-party exclusives. But as development costs grow and profit margins shrink, third-party exclusives are going away in favor of exclusive downloadable content or timed exclusives, wherein a console will have exclusive rights to a particular game for a set period of time.
Although Microsoft has had a few timed exclusives, Sony has recently entered the fray by having the highly-anticipated and often-delayed Ghostbusters
Where does this leave us, the gaming consumer? Well, if you're a European PS3 owner, you're probably jumping for joy. If you're a European Xbox 360 or Wii owner, you're probably coming up with new and interesting curse words to hurl at Sony. (Or if you're like me and American gamer, you're looking at it as a case study since the news doesn't really apply to you...) But no matter what side you're on, prepare yourself for more frustration because this is just the beginning.
I don't particularly like timed exclusives or console specific downloadable content, but it's a necessary evil in today's videogame market. Console exclusives are no longer viable, especially with the development costs for games like Final Fantasy XIII skyrocketing. Third-party developers can no longer develop for a single system and hope that that single system's fanbase will make their game profitable. But at the same time, videogame hardware developers want to have games unique to their system to lure people into buying their console. Timed exclusives and exclusive downloadable content are the obvious compromise of these two opposing desires.
So what's a gamer to do if a game you've been waiting a while for has been delayed again but only for the system you own? Besides the obvious bitching and moaning, you could buy another system (which is exactly the outcome that the hardware developers are shooting for). But for those of us who can't afford to buy another system, how about playing a game you already own or buying a different game that's already been released? It may be tough waiting those few months to a year for the game to finally be released on your system, but there are so many great games out there that will make the wait feel a little shorter...
Player Two
After the resurgence of multiplayer co-op, GameBizCo Inc. hired Player Two to be the Goose to someone else's Maverick. His workload isn't quite as heavy as most of the other people working at GameBizCo Inc. and as a result, he spends a lot of time in the break room or playing computer solitaire.
First Appearance: Another Videogame Webcomic?!? An Introduction
Player One
Player One is top dog at GameBizCo Inc. Nearly every game, from Pong to Mario Bros to Grand Theft Auto, requires Player One's expertise. His cocksure and sometimes inappropriate attitude is an annoyance to his coworkers but seeing as every game needs a first player, they make due.
First Appearance: Bonus Stage! Here comes Player One!
Damsel I. Distress
Whether it be a castle, a dungeon or mystical island, Damsel always needs to be saved... and she hates it. Damsel longs for the day when she's given the role of a strong female lead character who doesn't have huge breasts with hyper accurate physics.
First Appearance: LittleBIGPlanet
Final Boss
Underneath the huge brute that is Final Boss lies a timid creature who wouldn't hurt a fly. He puts on his "angry face" when throwing barrels down ramps or breathing fire but deep down he feels sorry for doing so. He's been known to throw a game or two in the player's favor.
First Appearance: World Record
John Minion
John Minion, or Min for short, is the hardest working employee at GameBizCo Inc. Playing everything from Goombas to no name thugs, Min gets beat up on a daily basis but loves every minute of it. He always wanted to work in the gaming industry and was originally hired as an intern. After years of getting coffee, his big break came when someone called in sick... and the rest is history.
First Appearance: Watchmen: The End is Nigh
Middle Manager
Middle Manager works in the Human Resources department. He runs staff meetings and interviews prospective employees. The other 90% of his time is spent playing Freecell on his computer.
First Appearance: Another Videogame Webcomic?!? An Introduction