@Joeguy00 If it's a digital release I like to get them through gog. No drm (see no reason to support drm) the "features" that are included with Steam are of no use to me. I've no need, want or use for steam, it's just another layer of crap to deal with. Most of my games are physical releases on disc, the digital versions I've got are either direct from publisher or via gog. Only time I use steam is if it's the tagged on unwanted drm.
The "big deal" of it is: Why should I have to use a third party drm client to run something I've bought? When I got Unreal or Morrowind, Silent Hill 2 or The Witcher 2 I didn't need a third party nanny assuming that I stole what I bought... Why on earth do I need one now? Is there some switch that has been flipped that assumes that everyone needs to be treated like a thief now? Seeing as how you straight away jump to that conclusion maybe that is the case.
Problem is that when you mention Apocalypse Now most people are only going to think of the Air Cav attack, if you're lucky then they might think of the bridge sequence.
If a game were prepared to explore the other 80% of the film in tone and style then sure it'd be an interesting experiment. I can't see the CoD generation lasting more then ten minutes before they complain that it's boring.
Something like Arma 2 where a narrative runs through the mission - that you carry out at your own pace could work. The Manhattan mission comes to mind in particular.
Other problem is how Platoon and Apocalypse Now approach the subject of war. Platoon was more a tribute and exploration of the directors own experiences while Apocalypse Now was based on Hearts of Darkness and was less about "war" and more the descent into madness paralleling the films own production.
Perhaps something in the style of Hurt Locker would work? A specialised skill EOD - would be strong material for a game mechanic to be built around. I'd wonder about whether it would be trivialising such a dangerous and current action.
It's worth saying as well that while the industry does have a focus on violence it tends to be taken from a palatable and arguably "safe" angle. It's largely devoid of connection or consequence and tends to ignore lingering suffering and the emotional cost. Violence isn't meant to be easily digestible. It should shock, disgust and appal you.
May as well be a stream of pop up cardboard targets for all the actual impact they have. If violence were handled in a way that actually shows just how unpleasant it is rather than a fantasy to wallow in as a way of making a player feel less insignificant then there'd be some progress. We're told regularly how the market for games is wider and more mature. How come were still all being treated like fourteen year old boys then?
Maybe once they've worked out how to approach violence with a mindset older than early teens they can then try to approach sex.
Then again after seeing modded Oblivion sex mini games that might be something that'll take even longer...
There were no guns in Katawa Shoujo, it was an interesting and arguably inspiring title... not to mention freely released and what did people whine about?
"It's not really a game is it... where's the action..."
It's not just the developers and publishers that are stuck in a rut. The customers are even more so. Look at an Elder Scrolls title. Unless you mod it then it's going to be "Go Anywhere! Do Anything! *as long as it's killing things over and over for 200+ hours"
Best of luck to Spector. Deus Ex was far more enjoyable and challenging when playing non-lethally as well!
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