Ok, this has gone way, way, WAY too far for me to be the only one that notices how ridiculous this situation is. Observe games in Figure 1: Infectonator (and Infectonator 2, and Zombie Mode, among others, that have a slightly lower rating) Burrito Bisen and Burrito Bisen Revenge Flight Learn to Fly 1 and 2 Achievement Unlocked 3 (A little different than the others, but close enough) Hedgehog Launch Toss the Turtle Corporation Inc. Among others...
"Hey," you're probably saying, "a lot of my favorite games are up there". Well, not just you, dear sir. Actually, all of these games are unique for 2 reasons: 1) They all have 9.1+ ratings on Armorgames 2) YOU AUTOMATICALLY WIN IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM
Yes, think about this for a moment. In every single one of those games listed above, if you play long enough, you will automatically win. Not "Oh, if I play long enough, I'll figure out a strategy" or "If I keep thinking, I'll figure something out" NO In every single one of these, as long as you play long enough, you actually cannot lose. You just need to mindlessly repeat action after action, thoughtlessly, and walla! you get the Armorgames high score menu for completing the game. Flight and Toss Turtle? Just keep upgrading, and eventually, the only way to lose is if you're trying. Corporation Inc? Well EVENTUALLY you'll be able to build your stupid office building big enough to research everything you need. And it goes on and on and on.
By my calculation, there are 52 of games that are 9.1+ rating. Of those, 12 OF THEM ARE AUTOMATIC WINS. Or, for simpler math, ALMOST A QUARTER OF THE TOP RATED GAMES ON ARMOREGAMES ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO LOSE IN.
What't going on is pretty simple, and blatantly true. People aren't interested in challenges- people want to spend some time trying to beat a game, and then do it. But they want to definitely win. Thus, they get the satisfaction of trying hard and succeeding, without realizing THAT YOU CANNOT FAIL!
Oh, I hear people complaining already: Q) But w8 conquer01, 9.1 is an arbitrary cutoff point! A) The point remains the same- there is no reason that many games should be that high up. Yes, if I chose a different cutoff point, the percentage would be lower. No, that does not justify those numbers of games rated that high.
Q) But of course there's a challenge- I try to beat the game as fast as I can to make it high up on the leaderboard! A) Congrats, you're 1 of 1,000. Because nobody else here is playing Burrito Bisen 5 times in a row, figuring out that level 3 of resistance to policeman should be bought before level 5 of faster initial slingshot. These games aren't designed to be figured out that way, and nobody would do that anyway.
Q) But I love those games A) But do you realize WHY you love those games? Isn't it sad to realize that you love many of them because they guarantee you the cheap satisfaction of winning in a scenario that you can't lose?
So I'd like to state this explicitly. I may be the only one that feels this way, but I am sick of how satisfied people are with these games. Does nobody want a challenge anymore? Is there any reason that Sonny should have the same rating as "Learn to Fly", or that the newest "Infectonator" has a higher rating than ALL "The Last Stand"s???
Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there, to see if the community feels as I do, and to make clear to people who love these games WHY they love them /end rant Conquer01
So I'd like to state this explicitly. I may be the only one that feels this way, but I am sick of how satisfied people are with these games
wow compaining much? the fact many people love those games has (at least its supposed to) nothing to do with your opinion really.
and you think you know why they love those games? for what i can remember those games change every once in a while. and exit path, exit path 2 and prince of war were there too. maybe people look for something else? something that you missed? achievement unlocked and many many other games that appear there have something different and unique in them and maybe that is what makes them lovable? i could even say something more shallow then wanting an easy game and that thats if its a part of a series then it WILL be there even if its not that good. or maybe that if a certain game developer made it it will be there too.
also notice how this is a FLASH game site. many people want short games or games where you can just relax with. i do agree with you about the selection. i do want a challange, i dont think most of those games deserve being there but they ARE good. they get good rating and thats what counts. maybe a game both of us would like wouldnt reach it because many other people dont feel the same but most of us can agree that those games are good and deserve the rating.
we rate each game on different things. if we would have to rate them from our favs to our least favs that list would be completely different. those are also the games that newcomers see right away when coming to the site and they make a nice introduction to the site as well.
. I may be the only one that feels this way, but I am sick of how satisfied people are with these games. Does nobody want a challenge anymore? Is there any reason that Sonny should have the same rating as "Learn to Fly", or that the newest "Infectonator" has a higher rating than ALL "The Last Stand"s???
I find those types of games entertaining. I don't think there's anything wrong with a game which is fun to play, regardless of whether or not you can/can't lose.
Notice, none of the games on my favorite's list are any of those. I wouldn't ever like a game where you just automatically win as a favorite.
Infectonator (and Infectonator 2, and Zombie Mode, among others, that have a slightly lower rating)
I think I gave each of those an 8/10.
Burrito Bisen and Burrito Bisen Revenge
9/10 and 9.5/10 respectively. They are good games that were fun to play.
Flight
I think I gave this either a 9 or 9.5/10.
Learn to Fly 1 and 2
Same as the above.
Achievement Unlocked 3 (A little different than the others, but close enough)
I think I gave the first one a 10/10, the second a 9, and the third an 8.5.
Hedgehog Launch
That was a 9.5/10.
Toss the Turtle
I think a 9.5 as well.
Corporation Inc.
I think I gave this one a 7.5 or 8.
The point to these games isn't how hard they are, it's how much you liked playing them and how long you can play them without getting bored. They aren't bad games by any means and all have their strong points. You hating them solely because you can't lose isn't a very good reason imo.
I like them. Most people do from the looks of it. Democracy is never fun when it messes with *your* opinion. Grow up, learn to accept the opinions of others. Your opinion is valid, but if you're utilising it as a reason to somehow change the taste and preferences of others, than I suggest you try and accept reality and the world.
Games are meant to entertain. That's the overarching feature of games, to entertain and provide happiness. If making your life a little harder is what you want, fine. The majority of us want to just relax with a game once in a while, reach the end, and then leave. Games are not meant to challenge, they are made to bring fun and joy.
Furthermore, I see no point in your ranting. What do you hope to achieve? Brainwash and sway all of us? Pressure the developers into making more challenging games? Or us show us how impudent and pointless you are?
@Thebluerabbit: 1) A single complaint isn't "complaining much" 2) Of course these games aren't the same (though many are pretty close). The point is that there is a strong correlation between the ease of winning the game, and the rating of the game. Correlation isn't causation, i understand, but, as Randall Munroe said, "It does waggle its eyebrows suggestively and gesture furtively while mouthing 'look over here'" 3) Why should "flash game", or "relaxing", or "short game", have anything to do with auto-win? 4) Of course you rate things based off different criteria, but not having a criteria of "difficulty" is pretty disappointing.
@kasic I definitely do not hate these games- I also enjoyed them. But the fact that there was no challenge, because I was not able to lose, took away a lot from it, and I'm surprised more people didn't feel this way. Also, my statement is not wrong. You defined popularity by the number of plays, I did by the rating. It's semantics (and who would replay those games often anyway...)
@nichodemus 1) Are you saying there's something wrong with being unhappy with the popular opinion? If I don't like a president, and he's voted into office, do I now have to like him, or feel people voted wisely? I respect the fact that people have the right to their own opinion- that's very different than actually respecting the opinion they have. 2) So here's where we disagree. I feel that for a game to be entertaining, there has to be some degree of challenge. Of course I understand how you can be entertained without a challenge, but, well, you're you and I'm me. Like I said before, I'm surprised it doesn't seem other people feel this way. You can still "relax with a game once in a while, reach the end, and then leave" without having to auto-win.
Furthermore, I see no point in your ranting. What do you hope to achieve? Brainwash and sway all of us? Pressure the developers into making more challenging games? Or us show us how impudent and pointless you are?
I addressed this in my OP, last line. But good job throwing in an insult anyways.
1) Are you saying there's something wrong with being unhappy with the popular opinion? If I don't like a president, and he's voted into office, do I now have to like him, or feel people voted wisely? I respect the fact that people have the right to their own opinion- that's very different than actually respecting the opinion they have
Read properly first. I did say your opinion was valid.
So say's the person who claims that we're ''sad'' for getting ''cheap'' thrills. That's bordering on condescending. Good job for not reading my post properly as well.
I addressed this in my OP, last line. But good job throwing in an insult anyways.
Apart from knowing our opinions, which the ratings mostly reflect, my point was to ask, what else would you like to achieve? You already know what most other opinions will be like; there's no point in ranting.
If I read your rant wrongly, sorry. I read it in a fashion that you were treating the rest of the populace who enjoyed the game as sad folk, and the rant did sound disparaging on many fronts.
Also, if my perception of your intentions were ''off'' from yours, it was again because of your expression. Labelling games as ''stupid'', ''mindless'', ''cheap'', ''thoughtless'', the situation as ''ridiculous''; It certainly don't help your later claim that you enjoyed them.
I respect the fact that people have the right to their own opinion- that's very different than actually respecting the opinion they have.
Not respecting a specific opinion is fine until it moves on to toeing the lines of patronizing.
@nichodemus I intend for this to be a discussion about the point I raised, not about the strength of personal insults (though I will agree that my OP was forceful, to say the least). Check your message for the more "ersonal" response :P. As for the more general one- do you disagree that these games are almost impossible to lose in? Do you agree that therefor, it doesn't take much effort to win? If you agree to those, then I think "mindless" and "thoughtless" are perfectly accurate.
@nichodemus ...it seems your third post disappeared... Whatever, I will address what it said anyway. If you agree you basically cannot lose in these games, and that therefor they are challengeless, then don't you agree they are "mindless" and "thoughtless"? You may not care about that- fine. But do you agree to it? If so, then calling them that seems perfectly fair.
As for the more general one- do you disagree that these games are almost impossible to lose in? Do you agree that therefor, it doesn't take much effort to win? If you agree to those, then I think "mindless" and "thoughtless" are perfectly accurate.
It still doesn't take away from the "staff-chosen popularity" selection.
I will agree that the popular games list needs to be updated (more). Achievement Unlocked 3 is the newest update by a long shot, while the others are 2011 games. I'm not sure why Infectonator2 isn't replacing Gemcraft Labyrinth....
Until I realize that the choices to put these games up there are primarily the staff's decision and secondarily how popular the game is. It doesn't matter if it has a high rating or, gods forbid, "mindless".
@Freakenstein Mix-up. I defined "most games" as games with ratings higher than 9.1, not based off the automatic armorgames sidebar. And I don't have an issue with a game being mindless. I am surprised that a game can be so incredibly mindless and still so incredibly popular. @L0rdDrag0 Of course- but it would seem that many (most?) don't factor in the ease of winning the game at all in terms of how much they enjoy it. That's what is troublesome.
But address the main issue. Do you all not agree that you cannot lose in these games? Do you not think that this contributes highly to their popularity? And (subjective, of course), are you not at all surprised that that is so?
Of course these games aren't the same (though many are pretty close). The point is that there is a strong correlation between the ease of winning the game, and the rating of the game. Correlation isn't causation, i understand, but, as Randall Munroe said, "It does waggle its eyebrows suggestively and gesture furtively while mouthing 'look over here'"
you cant say that until you ask every single person why they like this game. i really dont think you should take peoples opinions as a fact before you even know what they are thinking.
3) Why should "flash game", or "relaxing", or "short game", have anything to do with auto-win? 4) Of course you rate things based off different criteria, but not having a criteria of "difficulty" is pretty disappointing.
read the above
Are you saying there's something wrong with being unhappy with the popular opinion? If I don't like a president, and he's voted into office, do I now have to like him, or feel people voted wisely? I respect the fact that people have the right to their own opinion- that's very different than actually respecting the opinion they have.
thing is, presidents are important. thinking people shouldnt think something is fun or delicious on the other hand is pointless.
So here's where we disagree. I feel that for a game to be entertaining, there has to be some degree of challenge
yet you said so yourself. you like these games. im interested in knowing how you rated them.
But address the main issue. Do you all not agree that you cannot lose in these games? Do you not think that this contributes highly to their popularity? And (subjective, of course), are you not at all surprised that that is so?
i do but that doesnt matter. most games are easy anyway. even look at the old game super wario land 3. you cant die there yet its a really awsome game and im sure people ignored the fact you cant die there. i do not, many other games are also popular. the fact they were fun is the reason they are there. and no im not surprised.
Whatever, I will address what it said anyway. If you agree you basically cannot lose in these games, and that therefor they are challengeless, then don't you agree they are "mindless" and "thoughtless"? You may not care about that- fine. But do you agree to it? If so, then calling them that seems perfectly fair.
No I don't call them mindless. It takes some effort to unlock the harder achievements in Infectonator. Or to cut short the number of days used in Flight. Before you say that the games aren't designed that way, there are high scores. And that's the challenge for some. Not finishing the game, but getting the highscore. So no, I don't think their just button mashing, they certainly depend heavily more on button mashing, but they still invole thinking.
