Dark Side consultation

Hi all
Having reacquainted myself with my shadowy part through some big daddy rapture, do you want to do a list this year?
And if so, I am keen for some input into how to approach add-ons, expansions etc.
Previously we have said they were seperate games (you pay for them, they might be better than the original) but in other cases they really are extender - they add some new chapters to what remains fundamentally the same game.
I am not as familiar with these as I am with adventures - it may be some games deliberately leave open the premise of things to come and then finish it with add-ons, and you really only have one complete game. But what of sequels; if they are seperate parts of one story, shouldn't add-ons be treated the same and voted for seperately?
Maybe the determining factor should be whether you have to have the first game installed to play what comes after, and if so its the same game. We then just list it under its original title and indicate add-ons are available??
While i get back to rapturing, let me know what you think

Hmmm... plenty of food for thought. Might get in some some big daddy rapture myself tonight...

Most games I play have completely separate sequels, even if the story carries on, you may even like one and not the other. In some cases it is convenient but never mandatory to play the first one before the sequels. IMO extensions should be considered part of the same game. It is now common to have DLCs for several games that give a couple of hours extra play and those obviously should be considered part of the same game.

Thank you very much for the effort

The list should definitely be done as it has become a tradition.

As far as add-ons I feel that they are all part of the same game. ie, Morrowind, Bloodmoon, and Tribunal should all be considered one game and not three separate games because you can't play either add-on without first having installed Morrowind.

My opinion is that if an expansion is a stand alone game it should be considered a separate game if it requires the base game to play then it should be considered part of base game.

(At least I'm consistant).

I would like to do dark side list as well I, too, feel that expansions and add-ons and add-ins should count as the same game, for instance the add-on for the BG games expands the story. However, the Awakenings expansion for DA: Origins tells a different story as does Shivering Isles for Oblivion.

Yes please flotsam. Think add-ons should count as the same game.

Seems that including expansions etc as the one game is preferred.
Looking at last years list, that really only affects Morrowind to any great degree.
I suggest that we just list the original game (eg Fallout 3) and we assume people can pick up the expansions and DLC for themselves. I can try and indicate in the final list what they are.
If we do it that way it avoids any difficulties with splitting votes (eg Fallout 3 vs Fallout 3 Game of the Year) as well as any distinction caused by the various expansions (eg Fallout 3 plus Broken Steel because it changes the ending vs Fallout 3 plus Anchorage and The Pitt and Broken Steel but not Point Lookout because it had no goal vs Fallout 3 with any of them but not Mothership Zeta cos it was lame).
That is kind of consistent with Light Side games, where Directors cuts etc are considered the same as the original, and we just list the original.
Fair enough??

I finally made my point.

When can we look forward to the start of the darkside list

I reckon this weekend, given everything seems under control.
Will start it then!

Hi, sorry for interrupting. I don't understand this. Can someone please explain. If I wanna mention 'Open for Business' would it count as 'Sims 2' only?

Fair enough Flotsam! Thanks for undertaking this.

Hugh, if Open for Business can be played without Sims 2 being installed, then it is a separate game...if not, then if would count as Sims 2. (I think)

Sounds good to me and makes perfect sense.

If it requires the original game installed, then really it is just an extension of that game and should be counted as such.

As far as I know all The Sims expansions require a specific version installed (ie. The Sims 1, The Sims 2 or The Sims 3). So, the expansion would be counted as part of whichever version it applies to.

I agree L4L and TP

so when is this starting?

Hugh, I have not heard a concrete time....but soon. Either Flotsam or I will open a thread so everyone can vote for their favorite.

Thank you, looney4labs

hey all

been a long time since I last visited the darkside.
Ready to play a really good game, so please a listing would be so helpful

thanks for the giant effort
Popcorn

It's nice to see that you've decided to join us on the dark side again popcorneater

I'm looking forward to the list as well flotsam

Hi
I will start the thread tomorrow, and it will stay open for 13 days.
Start working on your 13 listings!!
flotsam

flotsam, thank you!

Are games played on consoles allowed?

its mainly pc but you can list some console games if you want.