Why We Need Middle Shelf Games (The Jimquisition)

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Eric S

Really great episode. Jim I couldn’t agree more about the need for middle shelf games. I have quite a few in my library that I greatly enjoyed playing including your example Singularity and another game called The Saboteur.

Empo

I need to brush off my PS2. I've got games for that one that I haven't even opened yet.

Kraken

I've had *somewhat* better luck with independent titles published through GOG- they seem to actually have some curation, rather than the "whatever sticks" philosophy of Steam. It's almost funny in a sad way to think of the days when EA sold games in record-sleeve like packaging with portraits of the lead designer on the inside, games that ran across a broad gamut of genres and took risks... And people think the 80s were the age of corporate greed.

Jason Youngberg

"They're not playing it safe, they're risking their long term financial health for immediate gains." Of course! They want their bonuses and when things start to go south they'll get their golden parachutes before the things really get bad. They have no loyalty and don't care about their employees.

Hansbert Emmer

"Tightening their lineups" This sounds incredibly risky, any financial adviser will tell you to *clears throat* "diversify your portfolio", because that way if one of your investments goes bust you still have something to fall back on. That's also why I find the argument that the games industriy is supposedly playing it safe so unconvincing. They're not playing it safe, they're risking their long term financial health for immediate gains. All the while robbing the market of diversity that as you so correctly pointed out defined the PS2 era, which still remains one of the richest times in gaming. Shadow of Destiny/Memories, Shadow Hearts...where are all the GOOD Shadows, Jim? :-|

This i can agree on. Its about games just following a trend these days. Like you stated COD use to be a bit unique. but after their actions on the franchise as a example Activision/blizzard will do anything to appeal to the current masses. No unique big TRIPLE AAAAAAAAAYYYYY developer with game that's.....just a game. Oh the 6th generation. We miss you.

Hey Jim, what do you think about the genres that exist almost entirely in the mid-tier space? I know strategy isn't your jam, but in my experience there's quite a few good offerings in that space with a lot of polish and way beyond Indie budgets, but also customer-friendly business practices.

Dr. Judge, Private Eye

I don't know if you have access to the ability to easily play PS2 games, but the Vampire Hunter D game scratches a similar itch. I also think I'm one of 3 people who played it, so I have no idea how accessible it is.

Moira Moon

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Iochannon

Feeling better, Jim?

Thankfully I have one of those great mid tier games in my current collection. Sniper Elite 4. That franchise is one of the better 'mid card' games in my opinion. Relatively small but loyal fan base, no AAA bloat.

Neill Halpin

God, so many games to mourn in those pictures. What I wouldn't give for a new Onimusha, Resident Evil but Samurais - FUCKING GOLDEN concept. I don't play Resi games but I would sword the bejesus out of some demons. (No, Ni-Oh is not a replacement even though it partly started out as a rival/successor idea to Onimusha in the long, long past before it got all SoulsBourne"'d.)

CS Drennan

This reminds me of an article from a few years back on mid-budget cinema. Apparently, this seems to be a problem in the film industry as well - <a href="http://flavorwire.com/492985/how-the-death-of-mid-budget-cinema-left-a-generation-of-iconic-filmmakers-mia" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://flavorwire.com/492985/how-the-death-of-mid-budget-cinema-left-a-generation-of-iconic-filmmakers-mia</a>