Virtual Worlds (Score 1)

Ahh, a topic often pondered... To increase graphics or not to increase graphics or sound, environmental factors, AI, etc. I would have to say that all the advancements in gameplay haven't led to wonderfully better gaming. Plots are predictable, "quests" are easy and I can't remember the last time I needed a hint book. Games now just lead us on to the next objective. Only in a few instances has this advancement really helped and here are my cases in point... Remember D&D Gold box games? I don't think the pyramids in Pool of Radiance could have been navigated without the hintbook. Remember Bard's Tale? Wastelands? What about the early versions of Ultima! The old games required much more thought than the new games, especially Wastelands. Remember Finster's mind games? However, in defense of the newer games I have enjoyed playing, I will say the the development in graphics and sound have improved games like Ultima. (I remember when the game went to EGA and how excited I was!) Although Ultima Ascension should never have been released. Fallout was spawned by Wasteland and I have finally found a 3D tactical combat game (Counter Strike) based on the Quake gaming engine that I can stand playing. For the most part, aside from DOOM, I can't stand all the damned copycat 3D shooters out there! So there's my two cents and I AM the President!