Today marked an occasion that is seeming to occur more and more frequently the busier I get with life in general. This isn’t, unlike what some of you might think, consuming the amount of sugar/drugs/alcohol needed to make me so happy all the time. No, this is me playing a game that is hugely popular…months, perhaps even years later. Today’s entry, for example, is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which just arrived in my mailbox via Gamefly.
Now, some of you might be thinking that Frank is perhaps the worst gamer in the world for playing one of the most popular shooters of the last couple years a bit too late. But before you burn me at the stake or worse yet, force me to turn in my gamer credentials, hear me out. Late adopters aren’t necessarily a bad thing when it comes to games. The first and most obvious reason is that they provide a nice little boost to numbers that might be dwindling for hardcore folks who are still playing. Obviously, online multiplayer games are great for this, as the injection of new blood can sometimes be refreshing to a game’s life. Besides, who wants to trash the same people over and over again when there’s new people to demoli-er, I mean, welcome to the game?
For the late adopters, we get all the benefits of playing a good game with almost none of the drawbacks. Really, when you bank on a popular game that has garnered a lot of praise, it’s a completely safe investment. You know that the game is highly acclaimed, popular, and obviously does something right, reducing the chances of a disappointing gaming experience. There’s also the fact that being late to the party means you get the complete lay of the land. Guides, FAQ’s, discussion topics, and tips – all the things that take time to come out if you buy a game early are all set for you when you make a fashionably late entrance. If you don’t mind it, you’re also treated to all the spoilers of the game’s detail and plot, allowing you to anticipate and plan not only an enjoyable but efficient gaming experience.
Sure, you might have to endure the slings and barbs of your gamer friends when you play something much later than the rest of them. But the momentary-to-lasting humiliation of seeing the huge spoiler of a game like Final Fantasy VII (Sephiroth does what?!) is worth it so that you can play something that you know is going to be halfway decent. After all, don’t they say “better late than never”? I know I do.
Couldn't agree more matey. I regularly wait ages before trying out games, single player ones in particular. For example I just started playing through Company of Heroes and it's expansions. Its a hell of a lot easier to find the time to play the things for a start and if you leave it a while you get all the bugs patched out.
Tend to play MMOs at launch though, but they're different because of the progression and so on.
Hey Frank!
Like the idea. I will be running a series on a 'late gamer' on GamerRoad starting Thursday, March 4, 2010. If you've got any more articles like these, let me know, and I'll check them out, link them to my stuff. Take a look at mine on Thurs when you get a chance. BTW, I agree as well. Better late than never.