MTV Multiplayer: I vote for the "Ikaruga" solution
This entry was posted on 4/11/2007 12:13 AM and is filed under Game Endings,MTV News Multiplayer,Length of Games.
In Tuesday's Multiplayer entry I deposited my two cents into the locked-content debate recently re-ignited over at GameStooge.com. I see both sides of this one, in part, as I explain, because I've come to peace with the fact that my less-than-Wizard skills at games will always keep me from experiencing some game content on a disc or cartridge I paid for (translation: got for free in my cushy reporter job).
But since writing the piece a scant few hours ago I have realized the solution that would make me happiest: all content unlocked at the one year anniversary of first playing the game. There's no reason today's online-enabled consoles can't determine that, in 2008, I might finally deserve to see the hidden costumes in "Metal Gear Solid 4" or the most obscure hidden features in "Halo 3".
If I can't get them myself in the first 365 days I've had the game, can some clock somewhere please be set to give them to me on day #366? The very hard "Ikaruga" gave me an extra continue at start-up for every hour I logged into the game. Eventually I could beat that game and see everything on the disc, just because I'd tried (and failed) for so long. I suffered so much failure, I deserved the mercy. Right? I'm talking about extending the philosophy to it's natural conclusion.
And, hey game companies, wouldn't you like this because it would give people an incentive to hold onto the games and not sell them back to the shops?
If only I'd thought to put that in the column. Oh well, ST.com readers, consider it your exclusive. Yay.
