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2D classical form?

Started by patrick mccormick Jan 24, 2007 at 6:01 PM 9 replies 1.5k views
Original Post
patrick mccormick
patrick mccormick
I would like to write a senior thesis where I show that just prior to the advent of 3D console games, videogames experienced a period of classical 2D form. That is, while the hardware couldn't yet handle fully fledged 3D videogames, it had actually become quite advanced, allowing the most talented developers expanded creative potential within the established 2D aesthetic conventions. I hope to argue that such a form exists and characterize this form, looking at games released in the first half of the 1990s. I have in mind, though, only a handful of squaresoft games like final fantasy vi and seiken densetsu 3. I'd like to expand my corpus to incorporate games from other developers, in other genres, hopefully coming from other countries, so please, your thoughts.
Raptor Tea
Raptor Tea
Hi patrick,

A few I can think of off the top of my head (that I think qualify for what you're looking for) are:

- Chrono Trigger (SNES - SQUARESOFT)
- Donkey Kong 1,2,3 (SNES - RARE)
- Killer Instinct (SNES/ARCADE - RARE)
- StarFox (SNES - ARGONAUT GAMES)
- Illusion of Gaia - (SNES - ENIX)
- F-Zero (SNES - NINTENDO EAD)
- Super Mario RPG (SNES - SQUARESOFT)

Hope some of those are useful.
trzy
trzy
I'm not sure I understand the point of your thesis -- are you discussing the pinnacle of 2D games (which would not necessarily benefit from a transition to 3D)? In that case, several early 90's arcade games would fit the bill.

Raiden II is a classic vertical shooter and among the best in the genre to this day not because of any particular innovations but because it did everything right ("classical form" in a 2D game if I ever saw it.) You could also look to Konami shooters. Don't forget fighting games (Street Fighter II) which to this day, even in 3 dimensions, remain largely unchanged.

For console games, surely Flashback and "Out of this World" are worthy of discussion.


----Bart
patrick mccormick
patrick mccormick
I am discussing the pinnacle of 2D games, so yes, those suggestions are all helpful.
anist
anist
Quote:
Original post by patrick mccormick
...videogames experienced a period of classical 2D form...


Two thoughts:

1) What the hell degree are you getting?

2) This sounds more like a perception you have of the state of the industry prior to 3D. It would be good to point out that this was as advanced as these games ever got because 3D brought new production standards. It may or may not have been an "enlightened" age though due to the fact that there was steady progress into this phaze followed by a abrupt near end of it (ie there was never a period of decline, more of an evolution into another form).

As your leader, I encourage you from time to time, and always in a respectful manner, to question my logic. If you're unconvinced that a particular plan of action I've decided is the wisest, tell me so, but allow me to convince you and I promise you right here and now, no subject will ever be taboo. Except, of course, the subject that was just under discussion. The price you pay for bringing up either my Chinese or American heritage as a negative is - I collect your f***ing head.
Paradigm Shifter
Paradigm Shifter
1 word... magic darts. Not really... Robotron.
"Most people think, great God will come from the sky, take away everything, and make everybody feel high" - Bob Marley
Rain 7
Rain 7
Symphony of the Night in my belief was the axiom of the 2-d form. Other notable efforts for level design and such is Super Metroid and of course everyone's favorite, Kung Fu...What the hell are they teaching in college todays? I guess the adage is true these days, you can pass off anything as a thesis if you've taken Bullshit 101. No offense to the OP.
patrick mccormick
patrick mccormick
Quote:
Original post by anist
1) What the hell degree are you getting?

2) This sounds more like a perception you have of the state of the industry prior to 3D. It would be good to point out that this was as advanced as these games ever got because 3D brought new production standards. It may or may not have been an "enlightened" age though due to the fact that there was steady progress into this phaze followed by a abrupt near end of it (ie there was never a period of decline, more of an evolution into another form).


1) B.S., though this pursuit is unrelated to the degree; it's motivated by personal interest.

2) You're right in pointing out that this period may not have been the form's ultimate theoretical peak, and I guess I'm going more on the basis that this was the peak that they did reach, so I'm asking what characterizes it then. Because certainly there is a form; otherwise, there wouldn't be broad aesthetic commonalities among a certain set of games that make them all essentially "look" alike. 'Classical' neatly captures idea, but I'm using it in its weaker sense as I don't mean to imply a direct analogue to any of the ahem seven arts.
davobrosia
davobrosia
It isn't from the time period you specified, but the Guilty Gear series is one of the most gorgeous 2D series around.
gunning
gunning
chrono trigger had pretty good tilesets.... dunno when that came out

[Edited by - skittleo on January 25, 2007 12:29:51 AM]
....[size="1"]Brent Gunning
thundergunslinger
thundergunslinger
Quote:
Original post by patrick mccormick
I would like to write a senior thesis where I show that just prior to the advent of 3D console games, videogames experienced a period of classical 2D form. That is, while the hardware couldn't yet handle fully fledged 3D videogames, it had actually become quite advanced, allowing the most talented developers expanded creative potential within the established 2D aesthetic conventions. I hope to argue that such a form exists and characterize this form, looking at games released in the first half of the 1990s. I have in mind, though, only a handful of squaresoft games like final fantasy vi and seiken densetsu 3. I'd like to expand my corpus to incorporate games from other developers, in other genres, hopefully coming from other countries, so please, your thoughts.



Well, I saw the thread title and thought "Amen, someone else gets it."

Anyway, I would possibly adjust the thesis to something like:

"Before the advent of 3D graphics, video games were consciously wholly abstract, and made no pretentions towards what is known as realism. When 3d came along, gamers had the illusion of controlling an avatar in real space, rather than controlling an avatar in an abstract environment."

Anyways, that's my first reaction, and I'm always drunk or high on horse tranquilizers when surfing the Lounge. Take it for what it's worth, but I sincerely wish you the best of luck on this study, as I feel it is an important area of research.

It may be worth your time to skim some Marshall MacLuhan, if you can get anything from him.
all around the world today, a kilo is a measure;a kilo is 1000 grams, easy to remember

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