GRcade

In the modern age of games, content is king. If people are invested, and there's always something new to experience, they will keep playing. Such is what recent data shows, with the likes of Minecraft, GTA V Online, and Fortnite being among the most played games of last year. And with a greater push for games to be a platform, as Fortnite has already been demonstrating the last few years, it got me thinking. What if Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo replaced a traditional home screen with a game that would see the same sort of development across years to continually expand it?

There's pros and cons to that, of course. But it made for a fun excuse to look at both sides. In short, I feel it's possible. For instance, taking from my article, if Nintendo were to have Animal Crossing be the first thing to show up when loading up the console for the first time, how interested would you be in it? So, the name of the console appeared, then it asked you to create a character, place your house, then a short tutorial on how the house acts as a home screen would.

All the typical features of the home screen, such as your game collection, settings, and digital storefront, would all be accessible, but beyond the door of this house (or the attic, as per older Animal Crossing games) would be a whole game to experience. One which you would have the choice to expand when new content arrives. As also talked about, it could also serve as a way to make many crossovers happen that otherwise wouldn't. Playing a Halo multiplayer game on a map designed for Forza Horizon, or a Crackdown-style shooter in a Minecraft world, for example.

Should the console makers do such a thing, would it interest you? Or would you never venture beyond that door once the tutorial was done?

Kind of like PlayStation Home?

I'm not interested in my console booting straight into a game that I probably have no interest in playing.

Firstly, I don't want anything cluttering up the process of booting up the console and starting my choice of game, so I don't want any kind of quirky interface causing friction there.

But as for a "home world" that games could share, I can see that there would be a lot of opportunity for inventiveness, but also plenty of excuses for lazy mashups. Having one game engine to fit many styles of game isn't going to work for everything. Interesting idea, though.

No thanks.

I'm intrigued by the idea, Rula. It'd be interesting to have a PlayStation Home / Nintendo Miiverse type of setup in which you could explore and interact with others. An Animal Crossing approach could be neat; you'd own house that could be altered and expanded, and you could visit homes owned by other folk.

I'd be up for trying this kind of thing out.

Probably not, I tend to be quite safe when I make my purchases, so doubtful I'd go for a game just because it's shown on the screen when the console is booting up, rather than actually seeing if I'll enjoy the game via reviews etc.

Edit, got the wrong idea reading this the first time, I'd not be a fan of the Home Screen being a game really.

Sounds like it could be fun but I'd like an option for a classic interface if I can't be bothered with it or don't like it. Like with the Sega Mega Drive Classic Collection. The living room interface is cool but on PC I eventually just made it boot to the list of games so I could access them faster.

And see this every time I boot up my ps5? :



No thanks.

As long as it's not strawberry floating Alex Kidd again

Moggy wrote:I'm not interested in my console booting straight into a game that I probably have no interest in playing.

Same, i would find that really offputting.

Jenuall wrote:As long as it's not strawberry floating Alex Kidd again

You strawberry floated Alex's Kidd?

Moggy wrote:

Jenuall wrote:As long as it's not strawberry floating Alex Kidd again

You strawberry floated Alex's Kidd?

He'll be saying he wants mushrooms on his pizza next!

Only if the game is Alex Kidd again.

I'm getting increasingly annoyed with Microsoft shoving ads down my throat as soon as I boot the Xbox up. So no, I don't want any more interruptions thanks.

I already really dislike games that make something which used to involve navigating a menu to start a level/course into a fully 3D "wander round until you find it" type ordeal (One of the more recent Everybody's Golf games did tthis iirc).

I think it would be deeply irritating to the majority of users to be honest. Loading an entire environment just to load something else is a complete waste of time.

I really like the Oculus home screens, but they are in effect glorified wallpapers. Stealth edit: I also like the changing themes on Marvel Snap, it makes the ecosystem seem vibrant and alive.

Outside of VR just have a well designed menu.

Jenuall wrote:As long as it's not strawberry floating Alex Kidd again

Alex Kidd in Miracle World is the best 8-bit platformer ever made.

Carlos wrote:

Jenuall wrote:As long as it's not strawberry floating Alex Kidd again

Alex Kidd in Miracle World is the best 8-bit platformer ever made.

Psycho Fox would like a word

Ironhide wrote:I already really dislike games that make something which used to involve navigating a menu to start a level/course into a fully 3D "wander round until you find it" type ordeal (One of the more recent Everybody's Golf games did tthis iirc).

This! It's annoying as strawberry float to have to "play" the menu just to get to the actual game.

Jenuall wrote:

Carlos wrote:

Jenuall wrote:As long as it's not strawberry floating Alex Kidd again

Alex Kidd in Miracle World is the best 8-bit platformer ever made.

Psycho Fox would like a word

And so would Jet Set Willy, Chuckie Egg, Montezuma's Revenge and Pharoah's Curse! Miracle World is great, though.