Best Video Game Developer

[termis]

So... there's been talk of which developer is crap and which is good - let's settle it here!  There's a lot of 'em out there, so I left the list at developers that I consider would maybe have a shot at being the sole favorite amongst this crowd.

I also left out more of the cult developers (i.e. Treasure). 

As I said before, I gotta go with Sega!

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Voted for falcom - woohoo for Ys.  Notice: there is no apostrophe, because Ys is not gay (unlike on SFII'). 

[Seldane]

Nextech
Action RPGs galore!



Falcom's good too. Gurumin and Xanadu Next are some of the best games I've ever played.

[Joe Redifer]

Agreed about the Ys apostrophe.  I used to type Y's all the time.  But then I went into gay rehab like pastor Ted Haggard and became completely 100% straight in 3 weeks!  So now I type it as Ys.

However I voted for Sega.  Heh.

[rolins]

My vote goes to COMPILE for creating Zanac, my all-time favorite game.

[ParanoiaDragon]

Sheesh, there's some good ones in there, but, Falcom is what really floats my boat!

[Keranu]

Hmm hard to decide. Konami and Hudson are definitely two companies that have kept their cool since they started, unlike companies like Sega or Nintendo who lost their cool at one point or another. Falcom's made some really fine games too, but I don't think they have been as consistent as Konami or Hudson.

OK I made up my mind, I'm voting for Activision.

[GUTS]

Yeah Hudson has been pumping out the hits lately!  Somebody stop those guys before they put everybody else out of business!

[CrackTiger]

So how are we supposed to vote? How we feel about them today? Highest number of great titles? Average overall? Company we feel has potential to still put out decent games?

Major publishers just buy other companies to make their games nowadays. Hudson's just a sub-company of Konami.

I love the Sega and Capcom of old, but they haven't been around for a long time. 

[Keranu]

Yeah Hudson has been pumping out the hits lately!  Somebody stop those guys before they put everybody else out of business!

I'm not saying that they still make games that are awesome like in their golden age, but they still tend to make fun games every now and then. That's what I like about Hudson, they never seem to be thinking about competing with other companies or make something that's going to bring them on top of every company and have Earthlings bow to them. Their focus instead seems to be make something simple and fun.

So how are we supposed to vote? How we feel about them today? Highest number of great titles? Average overall? Company we feel has potential to still put out decent games?

I don't think it's supposed to be looked at like that, instead just to simply be viewed as what company you like the most. Though I was somewhat joking when I voted Activision, I was also serious because old Activision games kicked ass and I loved what David Crane's team was all about - breaking away from Atari and making the games the way they feel they should be made and receiving credit for their hard work. Pitfall, Kaboom, River Raid, A Boy And His Blob, etc... were all brilliant and addicting fun games. And no when I say Activison, I don't mean that crap of a company that makes games today, but as Activison before the '90s.

[termis]

Yeah, what Keranu said.  Just use your own criteria when voting, whatever that may be.

[PCEngineHell]

I would put my lot in with SNK or Telenet.

[CrackTiger]

Yeah Hudson has been pumping out the hits lately!  Somebody stop those guys before they put everybody else out of business!

I'm not saying that they still make games that are awesome like in their golden age, but they still tend to make fun games every now and then. That's what I like about Hudson, they never seem to be thinking about competing with other companies or make something that's going to bring them on top of every company and have Earthlings bow to them. Their focus instead seems to be make something simple and fun.

So how are we supposed to vote? How we feel about them today? Highest number of great titles? Average overall? Company we feel has potential to still put out decent games?

I don't think it's supposed to be looked at like that, instead just to simply be viewed as what company you like the most. Though I was somewhat joking when I voted Activision, I was also serious because old Activision games kicked ass and I loved what David Crane's team was all about - breaking away from Atari and making the games the way they feel they should be made and receiving credit for their hard work. Pitfall, Kaboom, River Raid, A Boy And His Blob, etc... were all brilliant and addicting fun games. And no when I say Activison, I don't mean that crap of a company that makes games today, but as Activison before the '90s.

So in other words, not "Best" but favorite?

[Keranu]

Yeah Hudson has been pumping out the hits lately!  Somebody stop those guys before they put everybody else out of business!

I'm not saying that they still make games that are awesome like in their golden age, but they still tend to make fun games every now and then. That's what I like about Hudson, they never seem to be thinking about competing with other companies or make something that's going to bring them on top of every company and have Earthlings bow to them. Their focus instead seems to be make something simple and fun.

So how are we supposed to vote? How we feel about them today? Highest number of great titles? Average overall? Company we feel has potential to still put out decent games?

I don't think it's supposed to be looked at like that, instead just to simply be viewed as what company you like the most. Though I was somewhat joking when I voted Activision, I was also serious because old Activision games kicked ass and I loved what David Crane's team was all about - breaking away from Atari and making the games the way they feel they should be made and receiving credit for their hard work. Pitfall, Kaboom, River Raid, A Boy And His Blob, etc... were all brilliant and addicting fun games. And no when I say Activison, I don't mean that crap of a company that makes games today, but as Activison before the '90s.

So in other words, not "Best" but favorite?

You sumed it up much better than I did, yes .

I would put my lot in with SNK or Telenet.

Hey I'm surprised SNK wasn't listed.

I would vote Sage's Creation if it was on there, but I'm afraid they're only a rad publisher that brings out the best damn games ever made  .

[termis]

Ah, SNK definitely deserved a spot - I knew I'd forget a few deserving ones...

[CrackTiger]

I just voted for "Someone I forgot" and you can count it for RED. Even though, most people probably attributed all their great PC Engine games as part of Hudson when voting. 

[Keranu]

RED is an excellent choice.

[esteban]

I voted "other" for Data East. Ooooops! Blame it on Karnov ;)

[CrackTiger]

I voted "other" for Data East. Ooooops! Blame it on Karnov ;)

I love the NES Karnov but have never given the arcade a fair chance. I wish there were more non-glamorous leading game characters like Karnov. 

[Keranu]

I voted "other" for Data East. Ooooops! Blame it on Karnov ;)

Haha, Date East RULEZ! Plus they made single handedly made the best game ever made, WINDJAMMERS!

[TR0N]

Konami for the win!

Still i would place capcom 2nd and nintendo 3rd on my list.

[Seldane]

Data East made Werewolf and for that, they rule. ;)

[TR0N]

Dataeast was in it's league of it's own.

Given there track record while every game they made wasn't a blockbuster.

Still the company had some gems.

BloodyWolf
Wind Jammers
Robocop
Heavy Barrel
BurgerTime
Magicial Drop 2&3
Spin Master
Sly Spy
Shoot Out
Karnov
Fighter History:I know SF clone still i thought it was decent.
Bad Dudes

It's a shame they went brankrupt though.

While, G-Front got there ips all there doing is putting there games on cell phones 

[termis]

Dataeast was in it's league of it's own.

Given there track record while every game they made wasn't a blockbuster.

Still the company had some gems.

BloodyWolf
Wind Jammers
Robocop
Heavy Barrel
BurgerTime
Magicial Drop 2&3
Spin Master
Sly Spy
Shoot Out
Karnov
Fighter History:I know SF clone still i thought it was decent.
Bad Dudes

It's a shame they went brankrupt though.

While, G-Front got there ips all there doing is putting there games on cell phones 

It recall how Data East had that "same feel" in their actions games - Robocop, Bad Dudes, Karnov, Sly Spy... I wonder if it used the same game engine?  (though I suppose that's nothing unusual) 

Bad Dudes though - I remember its ads trying to persuade you to believe how much better that game was than Double Dragon (no way).

Speaking of Double Dragon - Technos - that's another gem I forgot to throw up on the list.

[Keranu]

The Apple ][ version of Bad Dudes blowz every other "action" game out of the water.

[elnino]

Still the company had some gems.

Don't forget Override! Very underrated game!!

[guyjin]

I would've voted Sega, but they've kinda sucked lately.
I would've voted Compile, but you forgot them.
So I voted Nintendo, 'cuz I'm a closet(?) snerd.

[OldRover]

Very hard to pick a fave from the list, or even outside of the list. So many companies made so many great games, but those same companies have also produced some real crap too. Also, company loyalty is something I don't have, so...that makes it hard too.

And here I thought I was the only one who remembered Fighter's History...I even used to exploit the "free credit" bug on local machines that hadn't been upgraded.

[Mr Bonk]

Hey Kid Niki was a hell of a lot of fun.

What about Working Designs?  They made a crapload of great games for the Turbo...

Others:
Atlus
Acclaim
Irem
SNK
Bandai
Activision
Atari
Coleco
3DO
Tengen
Ultra
Tecmo
Sunsoft
Jaleco
Natsume
Taxan
Taito
Namco
LJN
THQ

These are what I can remember right now- So I hope it helps...

[Keranu]

What about Working Designs?  They made a crapload of great games for the Turbo...

The poll is for favorite developer, not publishers. If publisher was the case, I would've totally voted for Sage's Creation  .

[Mr Bonk]

oh, ok....

[MotoRoaderMike]

Capcom all the way, and I can't believe I'm the only one who voted for them! They created Mega Man (the greatest game series and character of all time) and Street Fighter for crying out loud! They also made classics like these:

1942
Commando
Ghosts N Goblins
Gun.Smoke
Section Z
Trojan
Side Arms
1943:The Battle of Midway
Black Tiger
Forgotten Worlds
Strider
Area 88
Final Fight
Captain Commando
Resident Evil

and so many others!!!

And they also made a series of games based on Disney cartoons in the late 80's and early 90's which kicked major ass!

[termis]

1942
Commando
Ghosts N Goblins
Gun.Smoke
Section Z
Trojan
Side Arms
1943:The Battle of Midway
Black Tiger
Forgotten Worlds
Strider
Area 88
Final Fight
Captain Commando
Resident Evil

Damn, those are some good games.   I had a good time just about every single game up on that list.

Capcom recently took some heat from some folks in here.  I still personally still don't see why - they definitely cranked out one solid game after another. 

Only negative I see about them was they sorta got complacent during periods of time where they chucked out pretty much the same games with minor upgrades.  Can't completely fault them - they are a business that needs to turn a profit, after all.

[Keranu]

Only negative I see about them was they sorta got complacent during periods of time where they chucked out pretty much the same games with minor upgrades.  Can't completely fault them - they are a business that needs to turn a profit, after all.

Yeah but making like five versions of Street Fighter II and porting it dozens of consoles is just a bit more than needing to make a profit ;) .

[esteban]

Tangent

Capcom all the way, and I can't believe I'm the only one who voted for them!

Dude, forget about the topic at hand: I love the fact that you have MotoRoaderLove! Awesome! I can't remember, but I thought there was another MotoRoaderGal with brown hair...

And the music in the game is swell as well! 

/Tangent

[Keranu]

Tangent

Dude, forget about the topic at hand: I love the fact that you have MotoRoaderLove! Awesome! I can't remember, but I thought there was another MotoRoaderGal with brown hair...

And the music in the game is swell as well! 

/Tangent

I know isn't it awesome ? The best part is that he's new to the Turbo! Looks like we're not the only ones with love for Moto Roader anymore!

[MotoRoaderMike]

Wow, thanks guys. I feel special to this place. BTW, I never said I was new to the Turbo. I said that the Wii Virtual Console made me realize what a great system it was.

[TR0N]

Capcom all the way, and I can't believe I'm the only one who voted for them! They created Mega Man (the greatest game series and character of all time) and Street Fighter for crying out loud! They also made classics like these:

1942
Commando
Ghosts N Goblins
Gun.Smoke
Section Z
Trojan
Side Arms
1943:The Battle of Midway
Black Tiger
Forgotten Worlds
Strider
Area 88
Final Fight
Captain Commando
Resident Evil

and so many others!!!

And they also made a series of games based on Disney cartoons in the late 80's and early 90's which kicked major ass!

I don't over look capcom either.

So many great games that they made over the years.

Of corse i just voted for konami since.. it's been my current fav as of late.

[termis]

Yeah but making like five versions of Street Fighter II and porting it dozens of consoles is just a bit more than needing to make a profit ;) .

5 versions?  You're being too generous.   Seriously though, SF2CE was enough, after that, it was just needless.

But I can always appreciate games being available for multiple consoles.  It's nice to have a choice.

SF2 Movie.  Now that's a travesty if anything.

Talking about whoring, EA and all their sports franchises, holy faack!

[Keranu]

5 versions?  You're being too generous.   Seriously though, SF2CE was enough, after that, it was just needless.

I agree. Even though I liked the other versions, I don't think any game should really have more than one update and CE was a nice update since you could play as your favorite villian.

SF2 Movie.  Now that's a travesty if anything.

Actually I enjoyed the one for Saturn. It was pretty much like the original SFII in gameplay (not quite as smooth), but just with a mega dose of cheese and as we all know, I like cheese  . I have only played the arcade game briefly though, so I can't really comment on that.

[Seldane]

Mega Man is worse. Nah, not really - but it is bad. Mega Man ZX 2 is coming out soon (the first one came out like a couple of months ago it seems). Can you believe it?

[Keranu]

Mega Man is worse. Nah, not really - but it is bad. Mega Man ZX 2 is coming out soon (the first one came out like a couple of months ago it seems). Can you believe it?

Mega Man was milked really bad too, but I still have to get it to Street Fighter II . I don't know much about the Resident Evil series, but from what I know that game got a lot of versions too I think.

[Seldane]

Yeah, they've already released a PC version of RE4. That's three. For a game that was supposed to be GC-exclusive. I wonder when the X0 version's coming out.

[Keranu]

Didn't they do the same thing with Viewtiful Joe (minus a PC port)? It was a Gamecube exclusive for awhile and then it was later made for PS2, but was it ported to anything else after that?

[GUTS]

I dont see what you guys have against more people being able to play Resident Evil 4, especially when Capcom uses the money from ports like that to fund original stuff like Okami & Lost Planet.  Nintendo does the exact same shit (only 10x worse) yet all you guys love them and can't wait to spend your money on the 45th re-release of some fucktarded old nes game.

[Keranu]

Nintendo does the exact same shit (only 10x worse) yet all you guys love them and can't wait to spend your money on the 45th re-release of some fucktarded old nes game.

10x worse? Since when did Nintendo (or anyone else) make one game, then make tons of new versions of it with small updates within the same time frame and sell it for full price and port it to every damn system ever made? There is a difference between porting an old NES games to a portable system 20 years later and adding faster speed and characters multiple times to a single game within five years. Sorry Capcom, but milking a single game that much is insane and cheap.

[GUTS]

Hey where is the Nintendo Classics Collection with 20 of Nintendo's old games on one disc for $20?  Oh yeah, Nintendo is too fucking greedy to make one so it doesn't exist.  Capcom has two of those out, by the way.  Nintendo also makes the Pokemon games, which started the whole trend of releasing the exact same game in 2 forms, then re-releasing it again with a couple new things months later.

The thing is, all companies need to make money and do what they have to.  Nintendo is guilty of being greediest fucks in the history of video games (well EA is probably neck and neck with them), yet its awesome companies like Capcom that get shit from people.

[Keranu]

I didn't say Nintendo wasn't greedy, but Mega Man is far worse than Pokemon. I can't see how Nintendo or anyone else is possibly more greedy than Capcom, the Street Fighter series as a whole is proof that Capcom's the greediest company on the market. I don't think Capcom gets shit from many people, just a few people like myself.

By the way I love how you praise those Collections discs when you're the one bitching about downloading games for free .

[GUTS]

I've always praised the collection discs, $20 for 20+ games is a reasonable deal.  $5-$10 for one poorly emulated ROM is a fucking god-damned bullshit rip-off.  And how is Mega Man worse than Pokemon?  Mega Man games are actually good (unlike Pokemon), plus Capcom has 2 collections out that have nearly every console mega man game ever on them, and they're cheap.

[Keranu]

Yeah but guess what, you can download as many games as you want for FREE! I'm not going to treat collection discs any differently than paying for each ROM myself.

As far as Mega Man being worse than Pokemon, there are like at least 3x more Mega Man games than Pokemon and most of them are the same damn thing. I look at Mega Man 1 - 6 for NES and the updates in each game or so small it just feels like I am getting an update of the original with more levels rather than a true sequel. I can accept Mega Man 2 as a somewhat decent sequel to the first, but the rest are just ridiculous. And I'm only talking about the NES games here!

However what's even cheaper of Capcom is to use the same damn sprites in all their fighting games, including games like CvS2 which have new digital effects and 3D backgrounds. Take for example Morrigan. Morrigan's sprite is seven years old and not updated in the slightest, totally not blending in with the rest of the graphics. How hard would've have been to do some light touches on sprites like this to make them fit in with the rest of the game? As a sprite artist, I can tell you that it shouldn't take much effort at all.