Iterative Games

A few quick thoughts, torn from the headlines, on the future of gaming.

Google revealed it's new Chrome OS and 'google netbook'. The OS is less of an OS and more of a enhanced web browser, designed to take more advantage of cloud computing than 'standard' OS models (and a 7 second bootup time!); among the things supported in the new browser is native 3d acceleration for the web, designed for games. This is a big upgrade over current browser support, but won't you run Crysis on your google netbook anytime soon.

My quick reaction after reading this - are we about to see a re-surge of an earlier age in gaming? I think the iPhone is already proving that there is a market for simple, well executed games; can a wave of simple games (think Doom as opposed to Halo) for your web browser be far behind? And not to belittle the success of Quake Live, but I'm mean real 'in-browser' games that don't require any sort of separate application to run.

The recent reaction to the latest COD title, Modern Warfare 2, would suggest that at least a part of the gaming community would welcome a throwback to simpler visuals with more in-depth experiences. While the Infinity Ward team has undoubtedly delivered a masterpiece of detailed set and character work, critics seem to agree that the experience lacks depth. In my opinion: While a great 'interactive cinema' experience, there just isn't much compelling in MW2. It's fun no doubt, but the collective work of hundreds of souls for multiple years at the cost of millions of dollars feels like it should be more than sound and fury.

To the point: the future of gaming is not 'bigger' and 'badder' AAA experiences, but richer interactive experiences through your web browser. There will always be a market for the next Call-of-Duty or Halo (and yes, I will be part of that market) but leave that to Activision-Blizzard and EA to deliver. The future of intelligent, compelling and social gaming will be delivered through your web browser and will look and feel much more akin to 'Sid Meier's Civilization' than the next 'Modern Warfare'.

As an example - I don't see much difference in my enjoyment of playing a couple levels of system shock 2 clone with 4 of my buddies on the web versus running a 2 player co-op mission on modern warfare. What does make a difference is that all my friends have web browsers, and hopefully the shock 2 clone won't cost me 60 dollars because it didn't take a small army to produce. In fact, that's a great idea for a new game in the Unity web engine...