13 Worst gaming innovations of all time

Features
By published

From gameplay mechanics to design flaws - these are the most heinous offenders of gaming

3D

Why the developers thought it would rock:
The logical progression of technology and gaming is the addition of the Z-axis. Depth brings, well, depth to gaming.


Above: Bubsy 3D - released the same month as the original Tomb Raider

Why it sucks:
It’s not that we hate 3D, but rather what 3D has done to consistently set back gaming. Look no further than the same example 2D fanboys have touted for years - gameplay is just not as tight or refined. Every genre falls prey to jumbled collision detection, be it sports, FPSes, RPGs, action-adventures or otherwise. Nothing breaks the game world like half your body passing through a wall or bullets that magically strike enemies even though your aim was three feet off.


Above: Master Chief loads his face during a cutscene in Halo 2. Thanks 3D!

The principal offender in the shift to 3D gaming is the addition of control over what amounts to a second character. On one hand, there’s your main character, and on the other you have what the right analog stick was invented for; the camera. Platforming relies on careful planning, not split-second intuition. Shooters hide numerous enemies out of sight, resulting in frequent radar checks and exciting peering-around-the-corner dynamics.


Above: Do Resident Evil 4, Gears of War, and Mass Effect (pictured) have the right idea with the behind-the-shoulder cam?

Gaming is now about constantly readjusting. We can’t do anything without swinging that damn camera around for a proper view. Where’s the fun in that?

It doesn’t have to be like this, Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony and PC. We realize most of these entries are a Catch-22 situation - but if you want our hard-earned allowance, create something phenomenal. There’s the box; now think outside of it.

Do you agree? Disagree? Want our blood and heads on pikes? Head toour forumsand voice your opinion all over the internets. We’ll listen - we swear. C’mon - knock some sense into us.

Mar 26, 2008