Why Do Bad Games Get Played?

Reading a colleague's blog can sometimes provide fruit to tangential thoughts. This is one of those times. Let's face it, not every game is great. Hell, these days, not every game is even good. My friend Rawrasaur took the perspective of the publisher/developer battle in describing why poor games are made. I'm here to provide a spin on why they get played at all.

Coming up will be a follow-up from our resident tester Halbarad but first, my drivle.
There are three key factors IMHO as to why bad games escape our "crappy game" radar.

1) Hype and Marketing
Let's face it, who hasn't been wowed by a well spun print ad, a rave review, or a snazzy TV promo? The Spin Doctors at all your favorite publishers are well versed in only showing you what they want you see of a game. No matter how much we try curiosity usually gets the better of us.

2) Demos
There's nothing quite so tricky as the classic bait-n-switch that is a demo. Giving us a gamer equivalent of a car test drive, the Demo has become a fairly good way of providing a little bit of truth and not giving away too many of the flaws of a title. How many times have you uttered "well the demo was ok, so the real thing HAS to be good!" That's right... there there, we've all been there.

3) Human Stupidity
OK these one is the most blunt, and the least capable of being changed. Let's face facts, sometimes you just SEE a concept and you're hooked. "Big mechs and shooting things?! I'M THERE!" I confess, even my own blind love of certain genres has gotten me into a game that had no place on my hard drive. Sorry guys, you're on your own for this one.

OK I'm going to make a last minute, gender specific addition to 3.

3a) Boobies
Yes, OK I can confess, we're guys, eye candy and especially that of the female variety is too tantalizing for some of us, as many a DOA owner can attest. I know you're out there...