View Full Version : The Golden Age of Gaming... when was it?
Gianni Bartoli
22-03-08, 14:11
Many people refer to the so-called 'Golden Age of Gaming'... but when was the Golden Age? In my humble (ha right) opinion, I think the Golden Age commenced with Rayman in 1991 and ended gracefully with Conker's Bad Fur Day in 2001. In that space of time we had Rayman, Doom, Donkey Kong Country, Tomb Raider, Super Mario 64, MediEvil, Half-Life, Ocarina of Time, Rayman 2, Donkey Kong 64, Majora's Mask, Conker's Bad Fur Day and many, many more fantastic games which were not only a joy to play but became common household names and benchmarks in the industry in general.
Also, who else longs for another golden age? :( Today we simply have wave after wave of lackluster clones and gimmick-ridden pieces of crap wrapped in pretty packages. To call this a 'Golden Age' would be an insult and a lie. :mad:
EgyptianSoul
22-03-08, 14:13
The 90's was the golden age of gaming in my opinion. I don't need to say more. :)
The 90's for me too.
Early 90's for Nintendo and Amiga.
1994/5/6/7 - PC with doom, duke nukem, need for speed
1997 - N64 with super Mario & Golden Eye
1998 - PS1 with Tekken, Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Crash
1998 has to be the best year in my life. Not only because of games, but music, films and everything was just great in my life. How I miss the 90's :/
The 90's for me too.
Early 90's for Nintendo and Amiga.
1994/5/6/7 - PC with doom, duke nukem, need for speed
1997 - N64 with super Mario & Golden Eye
1998 - PS1 with Tekken, Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Crash
1998 has to be the best year in my life. Not only because of games, but music, films and everything was just great in my life. How I miss the 90's :/
"Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, but the past perfect!"
middle 90's doom, quake, blood, duke, unreal, half-life, tr
Generally speaking the pre PS2 era. Actually, my true golden era was the Sega Genesis :D
Gianni Bartoli
22-03-08, 14:48
I guess it's almost unanimous then... :p
"Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, but the past perfect!"
:vlol: Clever.
Eddie Haskell
22-03-08, 14:50
In my opinion (and I speak only to pc gaming) this occurred in the span between Wolfenstein 3D (1992), and the original Quake and the first Tomb Raider (1996). These were the years of great graphical change and innovation, and the gaming companies had guts and a free hand to let loose their imaginations. In this span were developed such great games as:
Alone in the Dark
Doom
Rise of the Triad
Caesar and Caesar II (I can still hear the cry of "Plebs are needed")
Steel Panthers II
Dungeon Keeper
Age of Empires
Baldurs Gate (one of the greatest of all time)
Diablo (once again, an all-time great)
Warcraft
Starcraft
Mechwarrior II (one of my all time favs)
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
Duke Nukem 3D
Command & Conquer
Descent (one of my favorite games)
Myst
Thief (in my opinion the greatest game of all time)
This was the "Golden Age".
I guess it's almost unanimous then... :p
:vlol: Clever.
Unfortunatly its quoted from someone far wiser than me, why try and express something that someone else has already expressed much better!
Wouldn't golden gaming not be 70-80 when games like pac-man came out;)
Eddie Haskell
22-03-08, 14:54
Wouldn't golden gaming not be 70-80 when games like pac-man came out;)
That would be the "Dawn of Gaming"...:)
Wait, why not Golden Age of Gaming... when will it be?. Buncha elitists http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i58/Forwen123/Smilies/angryrazz.gif
The 1990's was the Golden Age of everything... video games, music, movies... oh how I wish the world hadn't turned since then..... :(
Eddie Haskell
22-03-08, 15:23
The 1990's was the Golden Age of everything... video games, music, movies... oh how I wish the world hadn't turned since then..... :(
That I do not agree with. In my opinion it was the '70's, my Golden era...:D
1991.
Watch...
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:wve:
silver_wolf
22-03-08, 16:37
I think right now we're in the golden age of gaming. The technology is great, gamers have formed an actual community, and video games are probably the number one hobby in America at least. Why do so many people fool themselves into thinking that all the old, early games were the best? Lots of them sucked! Hardly anyone wanted to play video games 'cause the games sucked and the graphics sucked. Those games have only now become popular because 1, everybody remembers them through a screen of nostalgia, and 2, people seem to think it makes you cool or a true gamer to play those games. Even though lots of them were crap. I mean honestly, how many of you would rather play Pac-Man than games like Call of Duty, Bioshock, Tomb Raider, or Halo?
Eddie Haskell
22-03-08, 16:41
I think right now we're in the golden age of gaming. The technology is great, gamers have formed an actual community, and video games are probably the number one hobby in America at least. Why do so many people fool themselves into thinking that all the old, early games were the best? Lots of them sucked! Hardly anyone wanted to play video games 'cause the games sucked and the graphics sucked. Those games have only now become popular because 1, everybody remembers them through a screen of nostalgia, and 2, people seem to think it makes you cool or a true gamer to play those games. Even though lots of them were crap. I mean honestly, how many of you would rather play Pac-Man than games like Call of Duty, Bioshock, Tomb Raider, or Halo?
It's too bad you were born too late...:(
I pity you...;)
Even though lots of them were crap. I mean honestly, how many of you would rather play Pac-Man than games like Call of Duty, Bioshock, Tomb Raider, or Halo?
*manages to divert attention from Planescape: Torment for a split second* You were sayin'..? *gets sucked back into the nearest portal to Baator*
ajrich17901
22-03-08, 16:53
1996 when playstation came out,after that it started gettin stale after 2000
Eddie Haskell
22-03-08, 17:12
Wait, why not Golden Age of Gaming... when will it be?. Buncha elitists http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i58/Forwen123/Smilies/angryrazz.gif
It's possible. But for now I'd repeat that it was that 5 year span from '92 to the end of '96. It would be rather depressing to consider that the greatest years are behind us...:(
And anyone who quotes Lady Aribeth must know something...;)
This reminds me of all those panels of "experts" that periodically gather and argue about the "Golden Age of Movies" or the "Golden Age of Rock and Roll" etc. IMHO it is all opinion.
Eddie Haskell
22-03-08, 17:35
This reminds me of all those panels of "experts" that periodically gather and argue about the "Golden Age of Movies" or the "Golden Age of Rock and Roll" etc. IMHO it is all opinion.
Since when? What I say goes, or didn't you get that memo...;)
Lara's home
22-03-08, 17:36
This is the golden age of gaming.
Why? Because of Multiplayer and internet.
Since when? What I say goes, or didn't you get that memo...;)
I stoppd reading memos from god (lower case g) a long time ago.
How are things going BTW. I haven't checked up with you for a while.
Nostalgia sucks. Perhaps the golden age is yet to come, we never know... Imagine virtual reality and stuff like that.
Eddie Haskell
22-03-08, 17:50
I stoppd reading memos from god (lower case g) a long time ago.
How are things going BTW. I haven't checked up with you for a while.
I have been feeling better the last two days, thanks for asking. But my lack of mobility is really depressing on the whole.
I had been quite ornery lately, and my wife has been quite upset with me for my "negative attitude". It was probably reflected in my posts as well.
Nostalgia sucks. Perhaps the golden age is yet to come, we never know... Imagine virtual reality and stuff like that.
No it doesn't. Nostalgia is something that we all need. Everyone needs that old comfort zone; a place to fall back to when something in the present is not-quite-right. But as to your other point it is certainly possible that greater times are a-coming. I hope I live long enough to wear a real virtual reality helmet, and one that can take those old games and convert them to it. Imagine the original Tomb Raider with such a headset. :D
90's for me.
That's when games went from 2D to 3D, and that was almost revolutionary. And I'm glad Tomb Raider was one of the first 3D games to debut in those days. :D
@Eddie :eek: Amazing. Imagine Doom. >_> Probably too scary to play.
@Eddie :eek: Amazing. Imagine Doom. >_> Probably too scary to play.
I can see the headlines now. "John Doe scared to death by a video game"
Gianni Bartoli
22-03-08, 18:06
I have been feeling better the last two days, thanks for asking. But my lack of mobility is really depressing on the whole.
I had been quite ornery lately, and my wife has been quite upset with me for my "negative attitude". It was probably reflected in my posts as well.
No it doesn't. Nostalgia is something that we all need. Everyone needs that old comfort zone; a place to fall back to when something in the present is not-quite-right. But as to your other point it is certainly possible that greater times are a-coming. I hope I live long enough to wear a real virtual reality helmet, and one that can take those old games and convert them to it. Imagine the original Tomb Raider with such a headset. :D
Image Virtual Reality games where the graphics are incredible... and the gameplay has about as much depth as an underage dwarf's paddling pool. ;) I have a very bleak view of the future of this industry. :o In my opinion it's long since reached its peak... and subsequently fallen from it.
Image Virtual Reality games where the graphics are incredible... and the gameplay has about as much depth as an underage dwarf's paddling pool. ;) I have a very bleak view of the future of this industry. :o In my opinion it's long since reached its peak... and subsequently fallen from it.
IMO there have been many current games that I would rank up with any of the "Golden Age" games, Far Cry, Bioshock, Mass Effect, COD4, Oblivion, Lost Odyssey are just a few that come to mind. But I respect your opinion and respectively disagree.
Gianni Bartoli
22-03-08, 18:23
IMO there have been many current games that I would rank up with any of the "Golden Age" games, Far Cry, Bioshock, Mass Effect, COD4, Oblivion, Lost Odyssey are just a few that come to mind. But I respect your opinion and respectively disagree.
Do you mean "respectfully"? :confused:
digitizedboy
22-03-08, 18:28
I don't know about the Golden Age, maybe it probably is now with all the technology around today and whatnot. But I still appreciate nostalgia. I think we need to thank some of the old classics for some of the ideas in games we have today.
As for virtual reality gaming in the future, I would like to see a game based upon Half Life. Most definitely. :)
Do you mean "respectfully"? :confused:
Actually I meant respectively, first Eddie and then you, but perhaps I was not clear and too terse.
Eddie Haskell
22-03-08, 18:30
I don't know about the Golden Age, maybe it probably is now with all the technology around today and whatnot. But I still appreciate nostalgia. I think we need to thank some of the old classics for some of the ideas in games we have today.
As for virtual reality gaming in the future, I would like to see a game based upon Half Life. Most definitely. :)
I get sick now playing HL2, wearing a virtual reality helmet and driving that airboat might just kill me...;)
I get sick now playing HL2, wearing a virtual reality helmet and driving that airboat might just kill me...;)
Yeah but the sickness comes from your mind seeing one thing but your body not experiencing the right feedback. Think if in virtual game that you actually sat down in a seat and experienced the proper motion in sync with the visual image.
Gianni Bartoli
23-03-08, 09:12
Actually I meant respectively, first Eddie and then you, but perhaps I was not clear and too terse.
Sorry. :o I respectfully apologise. :p
for me the golden age of gaming was the time of the PS1.
thats what got me into gaming i mean come on it had
tomb raider, final fantasy 7 8 and 9, tekken and so many others :D
larson n natla
23-03-08, 18:43
90's for me, it seemed that the worl was changing games were not just blocky ugly messes any more new animations and technolagy were making games realistic and breathtaking then shemnue and the dreamcast came along i was totally mesmorized :o
TheStoryteller
23-03-08, 22:09
depends on if you ask gamers or game producers ;)
Like alot of people on here, the 90's was for me. The time of moving past Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo and going into the PlayStation. And then the 3-d world of Tomb Raider came and it just really felt the most evolutional. :D
The 90s were astounding annd I'd say that was the first Golden Age (for me personally). With the likes of Tomb Raider, Tekken, Resident Evil, Crash Bandicoot and Pandemonium - it was an excellent decade :). Even just the move to 3D was an astounding revolution.
However, 2007 was an amazing year for gaming I feel and even if 2008 doesn't continue that year of greatness, it will always be a very special year for me as it was just absolutely excellent in terms of quality - Portal, Assassin's Creed, Bioshock, Heavenly Sword, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Mass Effect, Ratchet and Clank and Super Mario Galaxy - and not just in gameplay quality but visually and audioly (errr... spelling) and storytelling was taken to a new level either via interactivity (Bioshock and Mass Effect) or by presentation (Heavenly Sword and Uncharted).
Tombreaper
24-03-08, 01:04
The 90's! All hailz to the PlayStation, and still.
I'd say the 90's. Everything was new and exciting and we could actually play 3d games in our very own homes. It was awesome :D
Shark_Blade
24-03-08, 02:51
The Golden Age sounded so oldies. Maybe it's when Pong was created waaay back then. :vlol:
A lot of people seem to yearn for restricitve gameplay, painfully short play times and lack of save systems. While 90s may have been when gaming really took off, it only lay the groundwork for what is here and what is yet to come
I guess I'd say the 90's was the Golden Gaming Age due to the fact that it had some of the strongest titles in it's time that have spun sequel after sequel afterwards. Some of those sequels are still going strong today due to the fact of those few games released in the 90's.
I guess I'd say the 90's was the Golden Gaming Age due to the fact that it had some of the strongest titles in it's time that have spun sequel after sequel afterwards. Some of those sequels are still going strong today due to the fact of those few games released in the 90's.
True. :tmb:
I grew up in the 90's, and I had a Gameboy (the fat grey one), a Sega Megadrive, a PS1 and a Gameboy Colour. So many platforms and games came out in the 90's.
90s was that Golden age of gaming.
Gianni Bartoli
24-03-08, 21:36
A lot of people seem to yearn for restricitve gameplay, painfully short play times and lack of save systems. While 90s may have been when gaming really took off, it only lay the groundwork for what is here and what is yet to come
Yeah? Let's look t Donkey Kong 64, shall we?
It allowed you to travel through extensive worlds and collect tons of items in any order you wished!
It's average playspan is around 70 hours.
You can save anywhere, and the saves are lightning fast.
Probably the PlayStation generation. I preferred it when it was the platformer that was king, not the shooter. PlayStation has so many awesome platformers and I miss that. The PlayStation is to platformers what the Xbox 360 is to shooters. The Crash Bandicoot, Spyro and Croc games are still my favourite platformers ever. Thankfully the PlayStation also had lots of other genres to choose from as well. You've got your action adventure games like Tomb Raider. You've got Survival horror with Resident Evil and Silent hill. You've got RPGs with final fantasy and others. You've got some great racers with Gran Turismo and others. You've got the best kart racer ever made with Crash Team Racing. You've got the Oddworld games which you cant really slap a genre on to. You've got great fighters with the Tekken series and others. There's some great puzzle games as well. You've even got shooters like Medal of Honour. You've also got the really fun army men series. Not forgetting Grand Theft Auto and Driver. Definitely the golden generation.
Asking when was the Golden Age of Gaming is the same as asking when was the Golden Age of Film or Literature. In my mind at least, there is no such thing. Good and bad, revolutionary and cliché games are being released all the time since the first videogame.
The 'Golden Age of Gaming' is most definitely not at the present or anywhere near around it! ;)
Yeah? Let's look t Donkey Kong 64, shall we?
It allowed you to travel through extensive worlds and collect tons of items in any order you wished!
It's average playspan is around 70 hours.
You can save anywhere, and the saves are lightning fast.
I was referring more to pre-ps1 games (and even early ps1 games) that most people seem to be fondly remembering. Donkey Kong 64 came out in '99 so it really is a very tale-end 90's game. (Mind you I've never been a big of Rare's games-goldeneye being an exception-all a bit too cutesy cutesy for my liking, although that is of course merely a personal opinion, not a statement on the quality of the game.)
The 'Golden Age of Gaming' is most definitely not at the present or anywhere near around it! ;)
Why would you say that? Absolutely NO games taking your interest at the moment, because personally I'm swamped with triple-A titles!
Yuna´s Wish
25-03-08, 13:30
There´s not a specific golden age for me. Whenever I get a game I really like it feels like a new golden age. I can say I live in an almost neverending golden age of gaming (1996-????) :p
larson n natla
25-03-08, 19:18
Should this be turned into a poll That would make things clearer :)
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