the "general" game industry, I will agree with XenoYoxa on. It is all about graphics. I read somewhere (cant find where, it was months ago) that the majority of the gaming industry was gear for shorter, easier games. This is because the average gamer who can spend the money on games, doesn't have the time to play through the 200 hours of a game like Oblivion. It is much easier for them to sit through the 15 hours of Dragon Age 2; with stellar graphics, and a game that plays itself. The main argument they were focused on, was that many people will never beat oblivion. They get side tracked, forget what they were doing, and after 60 hours of play, move on to a different game.
Personally, I dont see why they would think 60 hours into a game and not beating it is worse than 15 hours into a game, and beating it with little effort. But it is true. People will pay 60 dollars for 15 hour installments of a game; and spend a few weeks beating it; then wait for the next release. Look at... idk... every popular Xbox game that has more than 2 games in the series. Compare the play time of the first installment to the latest.
I agree that amazing graphics sell games though. Hardcore games who are all about the gameplay will go back and play classic Zelda, Warcraft 3, Super Mario World, Minecraft, Diablo 2... ect. However, really, those games do not profit. They are all very popular, but compare the hours spent on them to the money earned, per hour spent on them. If you can get someone to spend 60 dollars every 6 months, opposed to 30 dollars every 5 years; you are profiting. Game making is about profits.
To continue with the concept of profits; game makers also have to market to what will sell the most. Leaving you with an unfinished story lone, and making many, many installments is a great way to profit (SC2?). Marketing great graphics is... well.. always great. First impressions are important in anything.
Gotta learn to face the music; games are no longer made for hardcore players. It isnt about good games, it is about what the public wants. Look at the most popular maps on SC2; are any of them challenging? Are any of them even well made? For the most part, no. But that is what the general public wants, is terrible games.
Project: Custom Hero Arena
ZealNaga AuthorQA is not the answer to everything. The only career you can aim for when starting as a game tester is to become a game designer. And that is only if you're extremely lucky AND talented AND versatile AND experienced. Level designers don't start in QA, neither do sound designers, nor programmers, nor anyone else... There is more than 30 different jobs in the video games industry, it would be completely wrong to think being a programmer/designer gives access to any job in this industry. There is no "easy way", and if there is it's absolutely NOT through QA.
...Obvious troll is obvious? Play more indie games, XenoYoxa. I'd suggest you try the Humble Indie Bundle first, before paying $60 for the latest blockbusters. Not every gamer is ready to pay that much money for a game that won't last more than 10 hours. The indie, casual, and social/serious games industry are much stronger than you think.
Custom (EU): Ikari Warriors v2.0 | Sand Worm Survival v1.0 | The Last Hour (alpha)
Melee (EU): Flooded Slums | Rooftop Gardens
Feedback is welcome!