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Author Topic: How long before text based browser games become obsolete?  (Read 443 times)

Offline Red XIII

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How long before text based browser games become obsolete?
« on: August 08, 2011, 04:20:19 PM »
First post so hello everyone! As long time BBG enthusiast who always wanted to create one, I'm very happy to find this forum, lots of good discussion here =)

I have this question pondering for some time, how long before TBBG become obsolete, if ever? As MUDs, once very popular, are now a relict of the past, only played by handful nostalgic players, will TBBGs share their fate? Technology advancement is unavoidable, can new generations rised on games with almost life-alike graphics, find text based games appealing? On the other hand, movies didn't kill books, and TBBGs are very specific with unique strengths, the biggest I see is time required to play, they can appeal to people who do not have much time on their hands, bored office workers, etc. Few of you have games running for long time, do you see decline in player base over time? Asking because I've a game I been working on and off in spare time for, well, about 6 years ("the best TBBG ever" ;)) and wonder if I should even bother at this point (design spec about 70% complete and no single line of code yet).

So, what's your opinion?
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Offline andrewjbaker

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Re: How long before text based browser games become obsolete?
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2011, 04:37:18 PM »
BBGs aren't like conventional games shipped on media. You can embellish them over time dude; always a work-in-progress. Personally, I'd make a start, if I were you. Get it out there, get feedback, tweak, rinse and repeat. Oh, and welcome to the forums. ;)
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Currently working on an HTML5 canvas 2.5D landscape renderer and a PBBG that uses it (http://fleetingfantasy.com/). The development blog's at http://fleetingfantasy.wordpress.com/.
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Offline Marek

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Re: How long before text based browser games become obsolete?
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2011, 05:47:07 PM »
If it were really about graphics, then text-based game players would have left back when Doom came out in 1993, or surely when Quake came out in 1996. If by now, in 2011, people are still playing PBBGs (and they definitely are) then there's no reason for them to be leaving anytime soon.

Look at the world of board games today: it's more alive than ever. So I think it's a good indication that so-called "old fashioned" gameplay experiences are here to stay. MUDs might have died out because the technology was quirky and had a learning curve, but with today's web interfaces, you can make games that are accessible to anyone.
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