200 replies to this topic

[Martin Smith]

Interesting comments about the "quiz" nature of the program. After years of watching "QI," I just assumed that "the points don't really matter" was a traditional part of the British quiz-show format.

It is really. I think Whose Line Is It Anyway buried the point of points having a point a long time ago. The nature of the shows getting edited down to 30 minutes makes following the scores a bit of a waste of time anyway, as on a lot of shows the teams will accrue points from nowhere between rounds (i'm thinking of Buzzcocks mainly here).

[Nick Thompson]

It is really. I think Whose Line Is It Anyway buried the point of points having a point a long time ago. The nature of the shows getting edited down to 30 minutes makes following the scores a bit of a waste of time anyway, as on a lot of shows the teams will accrue points from nowhere between rounds (i'm thinking of Buzzcocks mainly here).

One funny one I noticed was on Mock the Week Dara assigns a winner in the wheel of news round, but sometimes 3/4 of the participants are on the same side

[Steve Sensible]

Interesting comments about the "quiz" nature of the program. After years of watching "QI," I just assumed that "the points don't really matter" was a traditional part of the British quiz-show format.

I couldn't give a monkeys about points or anything like that, it's just that some weeks the quiz seems to be an integral part of the show, with silly games for the contestants to play, and others it's all but forgotten whilst Brooker just rambles and rants.

I have no problem with either format, but it needs to make up it's mind. It's all a bit of a mess at the moment.

I think my main concern is that the guests have very little to do - some shows pass with one or two guests hardly participating at all, and the whole thing feels a bit awkward. It just needs a little bit more structure, so that everyone gets a chance to shine - otherwise they might as well not be there.

[Nick M.B.]

It is really. I think Whose Line Is It Anyway buried the point of points having a point a long time ago. The nature of the shows getting edited down to 30 minutes makes following the scores a bit of a waste of time anyway, as on a lot of shows the teams will accrue points from nowhere between rounds (i'm thinking of Buzzcocks mainly here).

Well, Brooker never actually mentions the number of points any of the contestants during YHBW, which is probably because it would in no way match up with the action on screen.

[Paul F]

Brooker's Gameswipe starts tonight on BBC4. I'll be checking it out, even if my interest in computer games isn't what it used to be.

[brucegray666]

Cool, it turns out he's got the Consolevania guys on it as well as Dara O'Briain... I'll be tuning in for sure!

[Martin Smith]

Brooker's Gameswipe starts tonight on BBC4. I'll be checking it out, even if my interest in computer games isn't what it used to be.

Well that appeared out of nowhere. Well done advertising it, BBC. Cheers Paul, I would have missed that otherwise and I'm looking forward to it greatly.

[Martin Smith]

So, Gameswipe was pretty awesome, wasn't it? Hopefully a full series is forthcoming. Brooker reviews games as well as he does TV shows (not surprising given he was a games journo in earlier life), it explained things to the viewer who might not be as au fait with games without being patronising to gamers, had bits by 'celebrities' that were more than just 'oh games, aren't they quaint, I used to play Pong when I were a lad' and wasn't afraid to talk down the medium as well as talk it up.

Oh and Mylene Klass got pushed into a canal, albeit virtually, so it's all good.

I hope that if/when it comes back, Violet Berlin is asked to contribute one of those cut-away features like the Consolevania guys did. Television needs more Violet Berlin.

[Paul F]

I liked it too. O'Briain's bit was great.

A positive sign, via Brooker's Twitter:

Caring about ratings is a terrible illness BUT Gameswipe easily outdid both Screen & News Wipe in terms of 'numbers' last night.

[brucegray666]

Yeah, Gameswipe was great. I'd be really happy if this was a regular series. Also, Dara O'Briain sucks at computer games.

[Steve Sensible]

Also, Dara O'Briain sucks at computer games.

But he makes a valid point nonetheless. You've only got to look at the success of "casual games" to see that the difficulty level of most games is pitched too high. Most people - myself included - just give up on games when they get too hard because they become a chore rather than a recreational activity.

And to be denied half the game (or 90% of it if you're Dara O' Briain) just because you can't get past one point, is ludicrous.

[brucegray666]

But he makes a valid point nonetheless. You've only got to look at the success of "casual games" to see that the difficulty level of most games is pitched too high. Most people - myself included - just give up on games when they get too hard because they become a chore rather than a recreational activity.

And to be denied half the game (or 90% of it if you're Dara O' Briain) just because you can't get past one point, is ludicrous.

I have no sympathy for a man who tries to drive like a responsible citizen in any GTA game!

That said it did bring up uncomfortable memories of Zero's remote control side missions in GTA: San Andreas - those thing still haunt me to this day!

As for casual gamers, you have to take your hats off to Nintendo - they have nailed that market. My dad was talking about getting a Xbox 360 but he is terrible at games and has very little patience for them to - I've told him to get a Wii, which would be much more suitable for his skill level and attention span!!!

[craggy]

is that the new 733T insult? "you Wii-gamer you!!!1111" ha!

Also, Gameswipe? da fug? Incredible job advertising! will consider scouring the depths of iPlayer for it...despite my hatred of iCulture.

[Paul F]

It's on Youtube as well.

[Nick Thompson]

Screenwipe did nothing for me (I like Brooker, but not the format and the style I guess?), but I really enjoyed this.

But he makes a valid point nonetheless. You've only got to look at the success of "casual games" to see that the difficulty level of most games is pitched too high. Most people - myself included - just give up on games when they get too hard because they become a chore rather than a recreational activity.

And to be denied half the game (or 90% of it if you're Dara O' Briain) just because you can't get past one point, is ludicrous.

My parents (fairly) recently won a 360, but my mum doesn't play it because I can't think of a single game to reccomend her. She doesn't want anything too complex or where she has to memorise tonnes of controls, she doesn't want anything that needs button bashing or fast reflexes. She just wants something she can sit down and play for 30 minutes or whatever. Very hard to think of a game like that outside of a Wii.

Edited by Nick Thompson, 30 September 2009 - 11:05 PM.

[craggy]

My parents (fairly) recently won a 360, but my mum doesn't play it because I can't think of a single game to reccomend her. She doesn't want anything too complex or where she has to memorise tonnes of controls, she doesn't want anything that needs button bashing or fast reflexes. She just wants something she can sit down and play for 30 minutes or whatever. Very hard to think of a game like that outside of a Wii.

Buzz? Some XBL Arcade title? Or get them a NES or Mega Drive or something.

[Steve Sensible]

That said it did bring up uncomfortable memories of Zero's remote control side missions in GTA: San Andreas - those thing still haunt me to this day!

I swear the remote control helicopter one was impossible.

To me, the perfect game is something I can sit down and have a laugh with for half an hour. I think that's why I played Left 4 Dead for so long. Once I got bored with just playing the campaigns, I got into the versus mode which kept me coming back for months on end.

I tried Prototype for a while, but once the missions got too hard I just couldn't be bothered with it any more. Never did get to hijack a helicopter...

[Paul F]

I swear the remote control helicopter one was impossible.

The hardest GTA mission I can recall is The Driver from Vice City. I spent hours on it, and only completed it because the computer car eventually crashed into a lamp post at the start of the race.

[Scott Wilkinson]

is that the new 733T insult? "you Wii-gamer you!!!1111" ha!

Also, Gameswipe? da fug? Incredible job advertising! will consider scouring the depths of iPlayer for it...despite my hatred of iCulture.

Given the show was Brooker's highest rated BBC4 show (so maybes some people knew it was on) is your problem that they didn't tell you personally that it was on?

[Paul F]

Given the show was Brooker's highest rated BBC4 show (so maybes some people knew it was on) is your problem that they didn't tell you personally that it was on?

I wouldn't hqave known about it if Brooker hadn't mentioned it on Twitter.

Of course, I wouldn't have known when Screenwipe or Newswipe were on if it hadn't been posted here.